Ennovus Solutions and Connectus Utilities have urged the UK government to require on-site renewables, long-duration energy storage and water-neutral construction in new data centre developments. Their call follows warnings that the sector's electricity demand could rise far beyond earlier forecasts.
Concern is growing over the energy needed to support a rapid expansion in UK data centres, particularly those linked to artificial intelligence workloads. Figures cited by the two companies suggest the boom could require up to 40% more energy than previously expected and push data centre carbon emissions to 399 million tonnes in 2030, above Britain's total carbon footprint of 367 million tonnes in 2025.
Both businesses also warned against dedicated gas-fired power stations for large new sites seeking to bypass delays and constraints on the national grid. In their view, the current planning approach risks locking in higher emissions and adding pressure to the wider energy system.
David Woon, Head of Net Zero Engineering and Operations at Ennovus Solutions, said: "The figures for the expected energy demand of data centres are staggering, but immediately pivoting to new gas power stations is incredibly disappointing. The space and resources required to build a new gas power plant could almost certainly be used instead for significant renewable generation development - ideally utilising wind turbines to better match the consistent, 24/7 energy demand of these facilities.
"While on-site renewables may not provide 100% of the baseline power required by these data centres, a forward-thinking country aiming for energy independence and climate mitigation should jump at the chance to integrate green generation directly into planning permissions. We already mandate solar panels on new-build homes; why are we not implementing similar, strict sustainable development mandates for industrial-scale data centres?
"Furthermore, as the government considers mandating grid 'flexibility' from operators, we must look beyond standard battery technologies, like lithium-ion. Long-standing energy-hungry data centres need a technology that matches their requirements, like vanadium flow batteries. They are suited to large energy demand projects, provide up to double the lifespan of lithium-ion, experience no degradation and avoid environmentally hazardous, scarce materials like cobalt and lithium. If battery storage is on the table to support the National Grid, it is nonsensical not to bring on-site renewable generation into the exact same conversation."
The argument centres on whether policy should treat data centres more like strategic infrastructure, with mandatory environmental conditions attached at the planning stage. Woon pointed to existing housing requirements as a precedent for tying energy-related rules to development approvals.
Grid pressure
Connectus Utilities focused on the practical barriers to connecting major projects to existing networks. Developers face long lead times and high costs as the electricity system tries to absorb large industrial demand in areas where network capacity is already tight.
Lee Ackerman, Utilities General Manager at Connectus Utilities, said: "The reality is that while resolving these infrastructure bottlenecks is physically possible, it carries massive cost and time implications. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) and Ofgem have transitioned the grid from a 'first come, first served' model to a 'first ready and needed, first connected' approach. While major structural upgrades, new onshore power lines and smart grid sensors are scheduled for rollout between 2026 and 2028, there is an immense amount of work to do before we see true grid relief by 2030.
"Every utility connection faces identical hurdles: cable lengths, land access and complex legal processes. It's not just an electricity problem either - data centres require major water capacity for cooling.
"Developers could and should be targeting the Environmental Discounts offered in Water Charging Statements, aiming for Tier 2 or Tier 3 water-neutrality incentives through advanced rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling. Some might argue that technology will naturally become more efficient over time, but history shows that as components shrink, developers simply pack more technology into the same footprint. The energy demand isn't going to drop on its own; we must build sustainability from day one."
Ackerman's remarks highlight a broader issue for the sector beyond electricity supply. Data centres need substantial water resources for cooling, so planning and utility connection discussions increasingly extend to the resilience of local water networks as well as power availability.
The companies' proposed response is threefold: require on-site renewable generation where possible, include long-duration storage suited to round-the-clock demand, and make water-neutral design a standard condition of development. In their view, these measures would reduce reliance on fossil fuel back-up generation and limit additional strain on public infrastructure.
The debate comes at a sensitive point for energy policy, as ministers and regulators seek to balance economic investment with decarbonisation goals. The companies argue that the build-out of digital infrastructure should not reverse gains made elsewhere in the energy system, including the shift away from coal-fired power.
Without stricter rules at the point of approval, they warn, developers may choose faster routes to secure supply, even if that means higher long-term emissions and more pressure on household energy bills. As Ackerman put it: "The energy demand isn't going to drop on its own; we must build sustainability from day one."