Giant new data centres to open across the UK
What is a data centre?
You might not realise how big a role data centres play in your life already.Picture a giant warehouse, packed full of rows and rows of very powerful computers.These computers store, process and send out information that we use every single day.So, whether you're streaming your favourite TV show, asking an AI chatbot a question, or just browsing the internet, data centres help that happen.Without data centres, there'd be nowhere for your favourite shows, games, or videos to be stored.
There's already nearly 500 data centres in the UK, but more and more are popping up because of the rise of AI.Construction researchers Barbour ABI have analysed planning documents and say over half of the new centres would be in and around London, but there are also plans for some in Wales, Greater Manchester and other parts of the country.Many of them are funded by huge US tech companies - think Google and Microsoft.
Why are people concerned?
Just as the internet runs 24/7, so do data centres and there are also concerns about the environmental impact of these enormous buildings.They need massive amounts of electricity to keep going, and lots of water to stay cool - and most current owners do not share data about their water consumption.Why water? Well, with all those computers working day and night, data centres can get very hot. If they get too hot, the computers could overheat and break down.While some systems use huge fans to blow cool air around to them keep cool, oher warehouses pump cold water through nearby pipes. But some people are concerned that the huge amounts of water that are needed to keep the computers cool is bad for the environment, and could cause water shortages.
Energy is also a big issue. Some experts have warned that the large amounts of energy needed to power data centres could also increase people's energy bills. The fear is that as more energy is being used, the price for that energy will rise for everyone.For instance, in 2023, data centres made up one fifth of Ireland's energy demand.A spokesperson for the UK government said data centres were "essential" and an AI Energy Council had been established to make sure supply can meet demand, alongside £104bn in water infrastructure investment.
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