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Finite Resources Could Cause a Data Centre Crunch in 2026

Terry osifo

I see the rapid growth of AI, cloud computing and digital services creating both opportunities and challenges. One of the biggest challenges will be ensuring that we have enough energy, infrastructure and skilled professionals to support the increasing number of data centres needed across the country.

I believe the UK should take three important steps. First, invest further in renewable energy and upgrade the national grid to meet future demand. Second, expand engineering and technology apprenticeships to develop the workforce needed for this growing sector. Third, encourage data centre development across different regions of the UK rather than concentrating it in a few areas.

If these steps are taken, the UK could attract more investment, create high-quality jobs, strengthen its digital economy and position itself as a global leader in technology and innovation.

  • in reply to AJJewsbury

    Indeed Terry,

    It occurred to planners in China that by building data centres under-sea - on the sea bed - 90% of the electricity could go into processing.

    And storing so much data, such as images of my electricity meter reading - worthless data. 

    However, whilst this might be heresy in the IET, I think a combination of:

    • Unfulfilled RoI an AI/AGI/AMI;
    • Unfulfilled data centre RoI;
    • Risks of circular investment, the debt burden and securing funding;
    • Resource crisis (especially copper, the key to everything else, even thorium reactors)
    • Oil, as I've said, or more specifically and immediately, CONTROL of the oil, East-West;
    • Other critical metals, minerals and more geopolitics. 

    I think these will determine much more selective use of AI and data centres and that could be a very good thing. 

    The Technosphere is very good at sub-specialisation driving the concept to the point of unviability, or unproductive investment; in simple terms, missing the point.

    I'd point to HS2. If only the technical, civil engineering, land purchase, spiralling cost (and even testing) impacts of the quest for the fastest line speed had been admitted earlier, we might have a longer railway that answered the original brief of adding capacity.

    Best

    Chris  

      

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