The conversations around data centres’ environmental impact are getting more intense. If you come across any AI-generated content online today, you’re sure to see a comment lamenting how much water that image or text costs.
While the actual figures are more difficult to determine, the power requirements of data centres have indeed increased substantially in recent years. In North America, the amount of power consumed by data centres increased from 2,688 megawatts at the end of 2022 to 5,341 megawatts at the end of 2023, partly driven by the adoption of generative AI.
With this in mind, understanding the regulatory landscape has become very important for operators seeking to maintain compliance and scale operations.
Grid connections and clean energy
The biggest environmental compliance challenge facing UK data centres isn’t reporting requirements but securing sustainable power infrastructure. Currently, some sites face grid connection delays until as late as 2040, making it impossible to build compliant facilities in commercially viable timelines.
The current system operates on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, creating massive queues. The National Energy System Operator is changing the situation to prioritise projects that are both ready to proceed and genuinely needed. The reform should halve current waiting times, though most data centres will still face delays of up to eight years.
Clean energy access remains important for compliance. The UK has some of the highest industrial electricity prices among developed economies, making renewable energy partnerships essential not optional. Where you locate your data centre determines the ability to access affordable, clean power and meet environmental requirements.
Why industry knowledge sharing matters
Environmental compliance isn’t something you work out alone. The regulations change faster than most operators can independently track, and the penalties for getting it wrong are significant.
The challenge isn’t limited to understanding what’s required today, but anticipating what’s coming next. When you’re managing multiple compliance frameworks and running operations, having access to peers that have already tackled similar challenges becomes valuable. The Data Centre Congress Europe brings together operators facing identical regulatory pressures to share practical solutions that actually work in the real-world.
Preparing for security and resilience regulations
Data centres are now designated as Critical National Infrastructure, which means new security and resilience regulations are coming. The Labour party has committed to introducing requirements for third-party and enterprise data centres, building on consultation work from the previous government.
The regulations will create additional reporting requirements that operators must manage alongside environmental compliance. The challenge lies in building systems that can handle multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously. Operators who wait for final regulations risk costly retrofitting of compliance systems, particularly when security requirements often demand infrastructure changes that affect energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Intelligent preparation means implementing robust data collection and monitoring systems before they become mandatory. The intersection of security, resilience, and environmental compliance creates complex reporting matrices that require sophisticated management approaches.
Preparing for the next phase of compliance
Environmental compliance is a core challenge for data centres in 2025. The above issues are among the most pressing, but they’re far from the only ones. As the regulatory landscape shifts, staying informed and connected is important. Join us at the Data Centre Expo to learn from industry leaders and prepare your facility for the next wave of regulatory and infrastructure demands.
(Image source: Shutterstock)
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