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UK data centres and access to electricity

This dossier tracks British conditions for strategic data-centre development, power connections and commitments required from operators.

Last updated : 1 key moments
Wikimedia Foundation servers, July 2015. Generic archive illustration; these are not facilities covered by the British covenant. Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Wikimedia Foundation servers, July 2015. Generic archive illustration; these are not facilities covered by the British covenant. Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 3.0. — Victor Grigas / Wikimedia Foundation / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ — 21 juillet 2015, redimensionnement.

Where things stand

On 28 October 2026, the government publishes a Data Centre Covenant offering accelerated support to strategic projects meeting its requirements.

Confirmed

UK ties data-centre support to local and environmental commitments

Britain’s government published a Data Centre Covenant on 28 October 2026: strategic data centres meeting its criteria can receive support to accelerate electricity connections and planning approvals.

Wikimedia Foundation servers, July 2015. Generic archive illustration; these are not facilities covered by the British covenant. Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Wikimedia Foundation servers, July 2015. Generic archive illustration; these are not facilities covered by the British covenant. Victor Grigas, CC BY-SA 3.0. — Victor Grigas / Wikimedia Foundation / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ — 21 juillet 2015, redimensionnement.

The framework calls for commitments on local benefits, jobs, water protection and security. The government plans to reserve or reallocate connection capacity for qualifying projects.

Temporary on-site power generation is envisaged for exceptionally strategic projects, subject to conditions and where other options prove insufficient. The detailed definition of strategic centres remains to be set out. The covenant offers support; it does not establish that new connections or infrastructure have already been delivered.

Sources 4