The United Kingdom’s ambition to become a global leader in artificial intelligence and clean energy advanced significantly during the second meeting of the AI Energy Council held in London at the end of June.
Co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, and the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, the high-level gathering brought together key players from the energy sector, technology industry, and regulatory bodies. Here, they addressed one of the most pressing challenges in AI development — the significant energy demands required to fuel the nation’s rapidly growing compute infrastructure.
Aligning AI growth with energy security
With the UK government committed to increasing its public compute capacity twentyfold within the next five years, the Council’s latest meeting focused squarely on how to deliver the energy required to realise this ambition.
Presentations from the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) provided insights into the future energy demands of AI, including the expected doubling of energy use by data centres — the backbone of AI innovation.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted the ongoing work of the Council’s dedicated working group on energy forecasting, stressing the urgency of providing the infrastructure necessary to power AI growth while safeguarding energy security.
Meanwhile, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle underscored the importance of expanding the UK’s sovereign AI capabilities, with the Council acting as a vital forum to unlock opportunities and address critical questions facing the sector.
AI, energy, and the UK’s global competitiveness
The meeting concluded with a strong sense of shared purpose among attendees, reflecting the interconnectedness of the energy and tech sectors in securing the UK’s position as both an AI leader and clean energy superpower.
With agreement to intensify efforts on forecasting, infrastructure planning, and streamlining grid connections, the Council is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK’s AI and energy landscapes.
The AI Energy Council will reconvene in Autumn 2025, as momentum builds toward delivering on the UK’s AI ambitions while ensuring the energy grid remains resilient, sustainable, and fit for the future.
Powering the UK’s AI future
The AI Energy Council is a government-led forum established to align the UK’s energy and technology sectors to support the nation’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. With AI development heavily reliant on data centres, public compute capacity, and robust energy infrastructure, the council plays a vital role in ensuring that the UK’s energy system can meet these evolving needs.
The Council’s primary purpose is to:
- Forecast and plan for AI-related energy demand
- Accelerate grid connections for data centres and compute infrastructure
- Support the UK’s AI sovereignty and technological growth
- Foster collaboration between the energy and technology sectors
- Align AI development with clean energy ambitions.
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