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New Google Datacentre Risks 500,000 Tonnes CO2 Emissions

9/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A new Google datacentre in Essex may emit over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, comparable to 500 short-haul flights each week.
This facility aims to enhance AI capacity in the UK but could significantly raise greenhouse gas emissions.
Campaigners warn it will strain energy and water resources, challenging Google's claims of minimal environmental impact.
The UK government expects datacentre electricity demand to quadruple by 2030, currently at 2.5% of total consumption.
Concerns about a "compute gap" could impact national security and economic growth.

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Story summary

A new Google datacentre in Essex may emit over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, comparable to 500 short-haul flights each week.
This facility aims to enhance AI capacity in the UK but could significantly raise greenhouse gas emissions.
Campaigners warn it will strain energy and water resources, challenging Google's claims of minimal environmental impact.
The UK government expects datacentre electricity demand to quadruple by 2030, currently at 2.5% of total consumption.
Concerns about a "compute gap" could impact national security and economic growth.