Data centre developers in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire are proposing on-site gas power stations to meet massive electricity demand, prompting local councillors and climate groups to call the plans 'insane.' The combined emissions from two proposed hyperscale sites could reach 4.5 million tonnes per year, three times Luton Airport's annual output. Critics argue this locks in fossil fuel use for decades and undermines net zero commitments. Quest Park seeks a 1GW power load and SDC wants 300MW, both citing 'resilience' and grid constraints as reasons for gas. The government has designated data centres as critical infrastructure, allowing fast-track planning, and argues AI carbon savings outweigh the emissions. But local communities and climate experts say the planning process bypasses local input and ignores cleaner alternatives like solar, storage, or grid upgrades. The article highlights the real conflict between digital infrastructure growth and decarbonization. It also raises practical questions about how to power the AI boom without breaking carbon budgets, and whether fast-track approvals should come with clean power conditions.
