Full Breakdown
Green Party Pushes for Freeze on New Data Centres Amid Drought Concerns
8/29/2026, 9:07:17 PM
Core Event: Call for a Moratorium on Data-Centre Approvals
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has urged the UK government to halt approval of new data centres in England, arguing that the facilities’ water and energy demands clash with current drought conditions. He called the plan to treat data centres as “critical national infrastructure” “outrageous,” saying critical infrastructure should refer to hospitals, water and electricity rather than AI platforms.
Background & Context: Rapid Expansion and Critical-Infrastructure Status
The number of data centres in the United Kingdom is rising sharply as AI workloads increase. The BBC estimated around 477 centres, while the *Times* reports more than 500 with an additional 183 slated for construction. In 2024 the government designated data centres as critical national infrastructure, a status that provides extra support during cyber-attacks or extreme weather events. Critics say this could give data centres priority over households for water and electricity, a claim the government disputes.
Key Figures & Groups
- Zack Polanski – Green Party leader.
- Mark Acton – Executive director of the Data Centre Alliance.
- Rosa Curling – Co-executive director of Foxglove.
- Friends of the Earth – Environmental charity calling for a moratorium.
Data & Statistics
- Data centres consume about 2.5 % of the UK’s electricity; forecasts suggest a four-fold increase by 2030.
- Government estimates place data-centre water use at under 1 % of non-household water consumption.
- A large data centre can use as much energy as a medium-sized town.
Official Statements & Responses
A government spokesperson clarified that critical-infrastructure status does not automatically grant priority access to water or electricity during shortages and emphasized that obtaining planning permission remains “very difficult,” even in AI growth zones.
Criticism & Opposition
Friends of the Earth echoed the call for a moratorium, citing insufficient environmental assessments. Residents in Devon, Buckinghamshire, Cardiff and Fife have raised concerns about noise, heat, traffic and visual impact, fearing new facilities could depress house prices.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Water-use figures differ: the government cites under 1 % of non-household water use, while the Green Party notes a lack of official national data.
- Centre counts vary between the BBC’s around 477 and the *Times* more than 500 with 183 planned, indicating uncertainty about the sector’s exact scale.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It used to be a nice, quiet area,” — Amanda, resident near a Newport data centre
- “A pause on building new datacentres would simply send investment and good jobs abroad, while leaving Britain dependent on overseas computing for the processing of sensitive health and defence data.” — government spokesperson
- “It’s good to hear that the government thinks there shouldn’t be a ‘blank cheque’ for big tech’s datacentres. But without urgent action, that’s exactly what will happen – the public and the planet will be left to foot the bill for the environmental and social costs of these energy-hungry giants.” — Rosa Curling, Foxglove
What’s Next
The Scottish government is reportedly considering its own moratorium on data-centre development, reflecting growing regional pressure. Further consultations with local authorities and environmental groups are expected as the sector expands.
