#DataCentres to be expanded across #UK as concerns mount
Zoe Kleinman & Krystina Shveda, August 22, 2025
"The number of data centres in the UK is set to increase by almost a fifth, according to figures shared with BBC News.
"Data centres are giant warehouses full of powerful computers used to run digital services from #MovieStreaming to online banking - there are currently an estimated 477 of them in the UK.
"Construction researchers Barbour ABI have analysed planning documents and say that number is set to jump by almost 100, as the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) increases the need for processing power.
"The majority are due to be built in the next five years.
"However, there are concerns about the huge amount of energy and water the new data centres will consume.
"Some experts have warned it could drive up prices paid by consumers.
"More than half of the new data centres would be in #London and neighbouring counties.
"Many are privately funded by US #TechGiants such as #Google and #Microsoft and major investment firms.
A further nine are planned in #Wales, one in #Scotland, five in #GreaterManchester and a handful in other parts of the UK, the data shows.
"While the new data centres are mostly due for completion by 2030, the biggest single one planned would come later - a £10-billion AI data centre in #Blyth, near #Newcastle, for the American private #investment and wealth management company #BlackstoneGroup.
"It would involve building 10 giant buildings covering 540,000 square meters - the size of several large shopping centres - on the site of a former Blyth Power Station.
"Works are set to begin in 2031 and last for more than three years.
"Microsoft is planning four new data centres in the UK at a total cost of £330 million, with an estimated completion between 2027 and 2029 - two in the Leeds area, one near #Newport in Wales, and a five-storey site in #Acton, north west London.
"And Google is building two data centres, totalling £450m, spread over 400,000 sq m in north east London in the #LeeValley water system."
Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyr9nx0jrzo
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/GukDh
#BigTech #Datacenters #AISucks #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #NoWaterForAI #NoNukesForAI
