Britain’s ambitions to lead in artificial‑intelligence — and the massive growth in data centres that comes with it — may be throttled by a shortage of reliable power, according to recent commentary. As demand for electricity from AI-driven data centres is expected to surge more than five‑fold by 2030, many in the tech industry worry that Britain’s slow pace of nuclear development could undermine its ability to support that growth.
One of the key problems is that Britain currently gives out grid connections on timelines stretching up to a decade. For AI companies and hyperscalers seeking 24/7, dependable power — essential for running large-scale compute infrastructure — such delays are a major deterrent.
While there are plans for new nuclear builds — including proposals for small modular reactors (SMRs) to supply clean, reliable energy — experts caution that single projects won’t cut it. What’s needed is a scalable, repeatable nuclear rollout coupled with streamlined regulation and faster project timelines, so power supply can keep pace with AI‑driven demand.
The consequence of failing to fix this could be steep: data centre projects may opt for other countries offering more reliable energy, potentially shifting the AI boom — and related investment, jobs, and innovation — away from the UK. For Britain to retain its shot at an “AI crown,” energy infrastructure and policy must move faster.
