AI data centre surge would put UK’s climate change targets at risk
The Times of London reports ‘The data centres needed to power the government’s artificial intelligence revolution would use more electricity than the entire country consumes at its peak.’
For the first time Ofgem, the energy regulator, has disclosed that about 140 data centres have come forward for grid connections, requiring 50 gigawatts of capacity at peak time. By contrast, Britain’s peak demand on a recent day was 45GW.
MPs said a potentially huge increase in energy demand should prompt a “national conversation” on the possible drawbacks of a data centre surge, including putting Britain’s climate change targets at risk.
The proposed data centre capacity disclosed by the energy regulator is about five times higher than the government had previously assumed when planning how to meet the target of a clean power grid by 2030 set out by Ed Miliband, the energy secretary.
Oliver Hayes, head of policy and campaigns at Global Action Plan, an environmental charity, said: “The choice is stark: stick to legally binding carbon budgets, unlocking even more green growth in the process, or unleash colossal data centres on UK communities and watch emissions soar. It’s one or the other.”
Full story here.
We have a choice as a country. We either embrace the digital future or we return to the technological dark ages and let other countries forge the future.
Just imagine where we would be as a country if these numpties had been around during the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of the railways or the computer revolution.
Quite why The Times chose to publish the views of the cranks at Global Action Plan is a mystery. But amongst the usual bunch of the Green Blob who fund them appears our very own DEFRA.
Why is taxpayer money being handed over to these eco-nutters who wish to harm the country?
source notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com