The UK government plans to give data centres priority access to the electricity grid, according to Channel NewsAsia.

In the United Kingdom, Finance Minister John Healey announced on October 28 plans to support the development of data centres. Presenting the budget in parliament, he said operators of such facilities would be given priority access to the power grid if they meet specified conditions.

**Conditions for operators**

As Channel NewsAsia reports, the government will launch a new British Data Centre Covenant programme. Under it, data centre operators would invest in local communities, create jobs and protect water resources.

In return, the companies would receive priority connection to the power grid. If necessary, they may also be allowed to build their own power generation facilities on data centre sites.

**AI and data security**

Healey linked the initiative to the government's goals in artificial intelligence and national security. He said that, as AI technologies spread, the authorities seek to keep sensitive data used by government services and the armed forces within the United Kingdom.

The minister also announced the AI Challenge Prize, intended to encourage the use of artificial intelligence in public services. The government has also allocated funding to support workers adapting to technological change.