Britain will continue expanding artificial intelligence development and data center construction despite growing political resistance in the United States, Growth Minister Dan Tomlinson said in an interview reported by the Financial Times.
Following major wins by Democrats in US mid-term elections, with candidates advocating greater regulation of AI and slowing down data centre build, Tomlinson said it would be wrong for the UK to expect to see a similar divide. He added that it is possible to grow the infrastructure and keep regulation in place. The data centres provide the compute power required to run AI systems, and building this in the UK is seen as an issue of economic resilience and national security.
Why the UK’s AI Strategy Differs From the US Debate
The US election results brought data center concerns into a wider AI debate. Democratic candidates supporting stronger regulation and slower construction won major victories.
Source: Watcher.Guru
Tomlinson said Britain had observed disorderly development in some US locations and learned from those experiences. He argued that the UK should not treat the American debate as a template. He also said Britain’s regulatory framework already includes some of the oversight measures sought by the successful Democratic candidates.
The role is not to discourage regulation. The government are encouraging regulation to ensure expansion is well managed. However, they want Britain to have increased computing capabilities and developers to look after the costs and impact of large scale facilities.
The Financial Times reported that the government aim to have 6 Gigawatts of AI computing capability by 2030. It said the target is modest compared with projected US capacity, expected to be around 20 times larger. The figures highlight Britain’s challenge in securing enough computing resources.
Data Centre Covenant links growth to obligations.
The Data Centre Covenant was published by the government on 28th October 2026 and sets out standards for data centres alongside extra requirements for strategically important projects. Local capacity is required to help reduce dependence on international infrastructure for using computing within services like the NHS & defence.
The Covenant ties government support to commitments around energy costs, local investment, environmental impact, job creation, supply chains and national security. Strategic data centres are expected to create plans that provide local benefits to the community they are hosted in. Developers are expected to provide job creation, apprenticeship & training support and use UK-based suppliers.
In return, the government will consider measures to speed up the planning and electrical connection process for any project meeting strategic tests. A Ministerial Control Centre will coordinate support.
The government may also prioritize strategic projects for available grid capacity, within the framework governing electricity connections. The policy offers faster delivery only to projects meeting public-interest conditions.
Energy and Water Remain Constraints
The expansion plan must account for the resources needed to operate data centers. A government statement to Parliament on October 28 estimated that UK data centers currently use about 2 gigawatts of electricity.
The same statement estimated that data centers account for less than 0.2% of non-household water consumption in England. However, it warns that it may increase pressure on areas which are already suffering from water stress. Some cooling technologies have a trade-off between reducing their electrical consumption whilst increasing their water use.
The government has encouraged operators to report annually on total water usage, water usage at peak times, and their energy performance. This includes reducing demand, using recycled water sources such as rainwater and treated wastewater, and using additional fresh water only if the above aren’t reasonable options.
Energy use can impact on the capacity and cost of electricity grids. Similarly, water usage can put pressure on local resources. This covenant states that developers should pay their fair share of energy costs and not pass the burden onto homes, communities and other businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the UK pursuing AI despite opposition from the US?
Minister for Growth Dan Tomlinson is confident the UK will be able to expand its AI infrastructure without causing the political divide that is occurring in the US.
What is the Data Centre Covenant?
A government policy released on October 28th 2026 which outlines what is expected from data centre developments. Including sustainability, investment into communities, jobs, and national security.
How much AI data centre capacity does Britain aim to have by 2030?
The UK government has estimated that they will need 6 Gigawatts of AI Data Centre capacity by 2030.
Conclusion
Britain’s determination to pursue its ambitions to develop the country’s AI industry despite increasing opposition in the US can be summed up by the Data Centre Covenant.
By increasing the amount of computing power within the country, the government is trying to alleviate fears about increased energy consumption, water usage, green protection and local communities. As Growth Minister Dan Tomlinson has stated;
