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1 July 2026 - Risks and opportunities to the sustainability of data centres in the UK - Oral evidence

Committee Environmental Audit Committee
Inquiry Risks and opportunities to the sustainability of data centres in the UK

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Start times: 2:00pm (private) 2:30pm (public)


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MPs consider the case for expanding UK data centres

On Wednesday the Environmental Audit Committee continues its inquiry on data centres as it considers the environmental risks of expanding them in the UK.

MPs are currently considering the consequences of data centres on the environment, including how much energy and water they are likely to use, and what impact this could have on the government’s net zero goals.

Meeting details

At 2:30pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry Risks and opportunities to the sustainability of data centres in the UK
Senior Policy Advisor for Energy Policy at Tony Blair Institute
Chief Executive Officer at VIRTUS Data Centres
Associate at Centre for Economic Transition Expertise (CETEx)
At 3:30pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry Risks and opportunities to the sustainability of data centres in the UK
Researcher at The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, The University of Manchester
Lead Data Centre Vertical Market UK & Ireland at Siemens
Head of External Affairs at Association for Decentralised Energy

In the first panel, the Committee will consider the case for expanding data centres, with witnesses including the Tony Blair Institute. MPs will explore whether the demand underpinning calls for expansion is certain or speculative and what impacts data centre growth could have on emissions and energy bills.

In the second panel, MPs will hear evidence on the environmental impacts of data centres throughout their lifecycle, and whether technology could play a role in reducing these impacts.

Location

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

How to attend