UK’s AI data centre boom set to transform digital infrastructure

The UK government’s recently announced ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’ highlights a 50-point strategy aimed at leveraging AI to enhance public services and drive economic growth. As AI applications in sectors such as healthcare, social services, and education expand, the need for scalable, energy-efficient data centres is becoming a national priority.

“The UK is at the cusp of its next major digital infrastructure boom, with AI-driven data centres emerging as the next focal point for investment,” said Iqbal Singh Bedi, Managing Partner at Intelligens Consulting. “As the fibre market recalibrates, data centres will take centre stage in driving the UK’s AI-powered future.”

Key market insights

• UK data centre floor space is projected to grow by three million to 3.6 million square metres by 2030
• The industry will require 454 to 554 new data centres, marking a fourfold increase from 2024
• AI workloads demand significantly higher computational power, storage, and energy efficient cooling systems
• Investors and landowners are uniquely positioned to capitalise on this rapid expansion as demand outstrips supply

This AI-driven surge in data centre growth presents a transformative opportunity for infrastructure investors, technology providers, and local authorities looking to support the UK’s digital economy. The shift towards AI-optimised data centres will also drive sustainability efforts, as the industry explores green energy solutions to meet increasing power demands.

This press release is part of a three-part series on AI-driven data centre growth. Future releases will explore policy considerations for national and local governments and the cybersecurity challenges posed by AI infrastructure expansion.