{
  "id": 19493827,
  "title": "AI datacentres plan on-site power stations on huge scale despite climate risks, research reveals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/ai-datacentres-plan-on-site-power-stations-on-huge-scale-despite-19493827",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-11T12:00:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/11/ai-datacentres-on-site-gas-fired-power-stations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Developers of AI datacentres plan to construct on-site fossil fuel power stations, despite climate concerns, according to a new research report. These power stations would generate a staggering 181GW of gas-fired capacity in the US, UK, and mainland Europe. This is nearly four times the peak electricity demand of Great Britain. BloombergNEF's research indicates that if these plans come to fruition, the emissions from these gas-fired power stations would be equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of around 72.8 million fossil fuel cars, all located in the US where 90% of these stations are planned. Currently, AI datacentres are projected to quadruple their electricity demand by 2035, reaching 2,354 terawatt-hours, which is roughly 7% of the global electricity demand. While developers claim these temporary gas-fired power plants are a necessary interim solution until grid connections are established, their economics could incentivize extended use, potentially locking in long-term fossil fuel dependence. As global leaders gather in Turkey for the UN climate summit, discussions on increasing electrification from clean sources are a key focus. However, some European leaders, particularly from France and Germany, will be absent in favor of attending the EU's AI summit in Dublin. Mark Daly, head of datacentres and emerging tech at BloombergNEF, emphasizes that the rapid demand for electricity from AI datacentres necessitates swift grid connections, not reliance on temporary fossil fuel power generation. He warns that the climate impact depends on the development speed of grid connections and the capacity for clean generation alongside rising demand. The UK, too, is grappling with delays in grid connections, with datacentres in Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire seeking to establish their own on-site gas-fired power stations. The government's datacentre covenant, which enables rapid development through a national infrastructure project, has further fueled these plans. However, climate advocates are strongly opposed, with Oliver Hayes of Global Action Plan criticizing the chancellor's endorsement of these fossil fuel power stations, warning that they will perpetuate high emissions for years to come.",
  "summary": "181GW of gas-fired capacity proposed for sites in US and Europe because of delays in connecting to national grids, says report Developers of AI datacentres plan to build on-site climate-destroying gas power stations on a huge scale to meet their energy demands, research reveals. Datacentres planned across the US, the UK and mainland Europe have proposals to build fossil fuel plants on-site to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}