How the UK's plans for AI could derail net zero - the numbers explained

clock • 4 min read
How the UK's plans for AI could derail net zero - the numbers explained

The government wants to engineer a 20-fold increase in AI computing power in the UK by 2030 - that comes with significant implications for clean energy supplies

The UK government's goal to increase public-controlled artificial intelligence computing power 20-fold by 2030 would significantly raise electricity demand. Can renewable energy supply meet it - and still...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Technology

How Viridi is using captured CO2 to produce lower-impact ingredients for everyday products

How Viridi is using captured CO2 to produce lower-impact ingredients for everyday products

Dr Daniel Stewart, co-founder and CEO at Southampton University spin-out Viridi, explains why chemicals are an 'often-overlooked' part of the green transition

Stuart Stone
clock 07 September 2026 • 8 min read
Cornish geothermal power plant produces battery grade lithium

Cornish geothermal power plant produces battery grade lithium

Geothermal Engineering Ltd announces plant is on its way to producing 100 tonnes of technical grade lithium carbonate per annum

clock 04 September 2026 • 2 min read
Study: 'Lengthy' heat pump planning process has cost UK households £8m since 2015

Study: 'Lengthy' heat pump planning process has cost UK households £8m since 2015

Nesta calls for revamp of planning rules for installing heat pumps after analysis finds more than 80 per cent of applications end up being approved

Stuart Stone
clock 02 September 2026 • 4 min read