UK water industry warns of insufficient water for datacentre plans

The UK water industry has warned that the country lacks sufficient water supplies to support the government's ambitious datacentre expansion plans, calling the AI growth strategy 'fatally flawed' due to the failure to address cooling demands. Datacentres require vast amounts of water to cool their servers, using cooling towers, chillers, and humidification systems directly, as well as consuming water indirectly through high electricity generation. The trade body's statement highlights a critical oversight in the government's vision for AI-driven economic growth, as datacentres are essential infrastructure for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Without adequate water resources, the planned expansion could face severe constraints, potentially stalling the UK's competitiveness in the global AI race. The water industry's criticism underscores the need for integrated planning between technology and resource sectors. The government has not yet responded to these concerns, but the warning suggests that future datacentre approvals may require rigorous water availability assessments. This development could force policymakers to reconsider the pace and location of new datacentre projects, or invest in alternative cooling technologies that reduce water consumption.