Datacenters are using an increasing amount of electricity, with recent figures indicating that they consume 6% of the electricity supply in both the UK and the US. This rising demand, driven largely by advancements and investments in artificial intelligence (AI), has sparked substantial community and political backlash. The International Data Center Authority (IDCA) reported that the global energy consumption by these facilities has risen by 15% over the past two years, aligning with a surge in global datacenter investments nearing $1 trillion annually. This growth occurs as the UK and other countries face significant energy shortages and elongated waits for grid connections, raising societal and political concerns about the sustainability of such expansions.
Community resistance is particularly evident in regions where datacenter electricity consumption reaches or exceeds 5% of the national grid’s capacity. Countries like Singapore and Lithuania experience even higher burdens, with datacenters consuming 19% and 11% of national grid energy respectively, well above the global average of 2%. This has led to calls, including from entities like Greenpeace UK, for a more cautious approach to the rapid expansion of datacenters, emphasizing the need for greater transparency, environmental impact assessments, and the curtailment of new facilities that rely on fossil fuels. These concerns underscore the broader environmental and resource implications of such rapid tech sector growth, including increased energy bills and greater strain on water supplies.
In the UK, datacenters’ share of national electricity use has grown significantly, from an estimated 2.5% in early 2025 to approximately 5.9% at present, with predictions suggesting this could quadruple by 2030. The urgency of these concerns is compounded by logistical challenges, as the queue for grid connections in the UK ballooned by 460% during the first half of 2025. This scenario highlights the infrastructure strains imposed by the rapid scaling of digital and AI technologies.
The environmental impact of data centers extends beyond just electricity consumption. The IDCA’s report indicated inefficiencies such as the prevalence of ‘zombie’ services — applications that continue to run and consume resources despite being unused. In the US alone, these services account for 13% of datacenter energy consumption, totaling more than 3 gigawatts of wasted energy. This inefficiency is likely a global issue, exacerbated by the increasing reliance on cloud computing.
Adding a layer of complexity, the physical and cyber security of datacenters has also become a pressing concern. Recent attacks on facilities in the Middle East have underscored the vulnerability of datacenters, now considered critical infrastructure. The convergence of cybersecurity and physical security measures is becoming increasingly essential as part of a comprehensive security strategy to protect these facilities.
The broader implications of these findings are significant. Firstly, the rapid growth in the energy consumption of datacenters calls into question the sustainability of current tech expansion trends, especially given the global push towards reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency. Secondly, the mounting community and political backlash could force tech companies and governments to reconsider their strategies around the development and management of datacenters. Strategies might need to include enhanced transparency about energy and resource use, better integration with renewable energy sources, and more stringent environmental and security standards. Finally, as technology continues to permeate every aspect of modern life, balancing innovation with environmental and social responsibility will become increasingly crucial to ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are realized without disproportionate costs to society and the planet.
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