Two planned datacentres will have higher UK carbon emissions than ExxonMobil, analysis finds

THE NEWS

What happened

Analysis reveals two planned UK datacentres will emit more carbon than ExxonMobil's entire UK operations, raising alarms about climate goals and grid strain.

CONTEXT

Why it matters

Breaking: Two planned datacentres in England are projected to generate over 4.5 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions, surpassing ExxonMobil's total UK footprint. Experts call it a serious threat to climate targets as projects fast-track through government approval despite environmental concerns.

AT A GLANCE

Key facts

• Two planned datacentres in England (Wapseys Wood and Quest Park) are projected to produce over 4.5 million tonnes of annual carbon emissions.
• This exceeds ExxonMobil's total UK emissions of 3.9 million tonnes recorded in 2023.
• The projects require 1.3GW of power, prompting plans to build on-site gas-fired power stations due to grid connection delays.
• There are currently 315 datacentres queued for the UK grid, representing 73GW of demand, nearly double peak winter usage.
• Critics argue fast-tracking these projects via the NSIP regime insulates them from local scrutiny and environmental oversight.
• Experts warn unchecked growth makes the transition away from fossil fuels harder by diverting megawatts from other decarbonization efforts.