Prime Minister Keir Starmer said AI (artificial intelligence) was a "defining opportunity" and outlined plans for specific 'AI Growth Zones' to be established to speed the build-out of AI data centres, "with enhanced access to power and support for planning approvals".
The first of these is set to be at Culham, near Oxford, home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the JET project and a host of nuclear fusion companies and researchers.
"The government and UKAEA will seek a private-sector partner who would develop one of the UK’s largest AI data centres, beginning with 100 MW of capacity and with plans to scale up to 500 MW. The pilot would pioneer innovative public-private models to deliver secure, dedicated public sector computing capacity, supporting key national priorities. A process to identify a private sector partner will commence in Spring 2025, alongside steps to select further AI Growth Zones," the government says.
It goes on to say that an AI Energy Council will be established to identify how clean and renewable energy can be used to power the demands of data centres, with the Science and Technology Secretary and the Energy Secretary co-chairing the group of "industry leaders from the energy and AI sectors".
"The Energy Council will provide expert insight on the energy needs of AI, opportunities to accelerate investment in the development of renewable and innovative energy solutions, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and the role of AI in a modern, efficient and sustainable energy system," it says, although it gives no time-scale for its work.
Starmer said: "Artificial Intelligence will drive incredible change in our country. From teachers personalising lessons, to supporting small businesses with their record-keeping, to speeding up planning applications, it has the potential to transform the lives of working people. But the AI industry needs a government that is on their side, one that won’t sit back and let opportunities slip through its fingers. And in a world of fierce competition, we cannot stand by."
The last few months of 2024 saw a number of deals struck in the USA for tech giants to use nuclear energy to power data centres, as they seek to ensure that their predicted rapidly increasing energy demands can be met in a way which provides 24/7 power and also helps them meet their climate targets.
