Kenneth Glad
The expansion of digital infrastructure is drawing fresh scrutiny from energy regulators and local communities. Experts warn that the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing may push national grids to their limits.
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Datacentres now account for roughly one-sixteenth of electricity use in the UK and the US, The Guardian reports, citing research from the International Data Center Association (IDCA).
Worldwide, the power consumed by these facilities has surged in recent years, driven by surging AI workloads, cloud services, and the growing demand for online applications.
Annual investment in the datacentre sector is approaching $1 trillion, the IDCA noted, highlighting the industry’s increasing economic significance.
In Britain, the strain is evident. Government figures from early 2025 placed datacentre electricity consumption at around 2.5% of national supply, but this is expected to quadruple by 2030.
Delays for grid connections have also escalated, with The Guardian reporting that queues grew dramatically in the first half of 2025. This growth has prompted local authorities to reconsider energy planning strategies.
Community concerns
The IDCA cautioned that opposition often intensifies once datacentres surpass one-twentieth of a nation’s electricity demand, but Britain and the US have already exceeded that threshold.
Smaller markets face even heavier pressures: Singapore now directs nearly one-fifth of its grid power to datacentres, while Lithuania dedicates around one-ninth.
High concentrations in these countries reflect both dense urban tech hubs and national strategies emphasizing digital infrastructure.
Environmental groups have voiced alarm over the expansion. Greenpeace warns that unchecked AI growth could push energy bills higher, strain water resources, and perpetuate fossil fuel use.
Doug Parr, the group’s chief scientist, said: “Before being swept along by the enthusiasm of tech billionaires whose profits depend on this expansion, we should pause and ask ourselves whether it’s worth the price.”
He added that increased transparency, rigorous environmental assessments, and restrictions on new polluting facilities are urgently needed.
Inefficiency and security risks
Globally, there are roughly 10,000 datacentres. Among the largest is Microsoft’s Mount Pleasant facility in Wisconsin, a 1.2 million sq ft (≈111,500 m²) site described by the company as its most powerful.
The IDCA also highlighted inefficiencies: About 13% of US datacentre electricity powers unused “zombie” services, which contributes to more than 3 gigawatts of wasted demand.
Security has emerged as a growing concern. The IDCA reports that recent attacks on Middle Eastern datacentres have unsettled operators and customers, making physical protection a core part of cybersecurity strategies.
Sources: The Guardian, International Data Center Association, Greenpeace
