REA Publishes Part 2 of Data Centre Myth Buster

Author: Matt Parry, Head of Power and Energy Demand

This myth-buster, the second in a three-part series following on from Part 1: Community & Economic Benefits, tackles a debate that has become increasingly muddled. Critics warn that AI infrastructure will drain an already under-pressure power grid, push up electricity bills and set back climate ambitions and supporters counter that without home-grown data centres, Britain risks being left behind in the global race for digital sovereignty. Both miss the central fact: the grid investment needed to reach the UK’s Clean Power 2030 commitments is necessary irrespective of data centres. Ultimately, the real question is not whether to build it, but who helps pay for it. This piece makes the case that attracting well-designed, clean-powered UK data centres is not a burden on the energy system, but one of the most effective levers for lowering the per-unit cost of the grid for everyone.

Find the full document here: Data Centre Myth Busters Vol 2