영국 녹색당은 신규 데이터센터 건설에 대한 전국적 모라토리엄을 공식적으로 요청하며, 지역 기반 커뮤니티 시설만 허용할 것을 촉구했다.

The leader of the UK’s Green Party has called for a nationwide pause on data center development, urging officials to halt new project approvals amid the driest July on record and a prolonged drought. Visiting a proposed facility in East London, party leader Zack Polanski told the BBC: “We need to slam the brakes on these energy-guzzling, water-guzzling data centers.” He added: “Essentially, we need basically a moratorium, other than local-scale data centers for the local community. At a time when three-quarters of the country are in drought, it is outrageous that these are being considered critical infrastructure. To most people, critical infrastructure means hospitals, water, electricity. It doesn't mean artificial intelligence.”

The environmental impact of data centers, particularly regarding water consumption, remains a subject of industry debate. While newer AI facilities frequently employ closed-loop cooling systems with minimal water draw, others require substantial volumes. Earlier this year, Affinity Water, which serves the data center hotspot of Slough, informed the UK Parliament that water usage continues to raise concerns. “Data center demand for water for cooling purposes is variable, ranging from a few cubic meters up to potentially ten million liters (2.6 million gallons) per day depending on size and recycling infrastructure... with some individual facilities requesting supplies of up to 35 liters (nine gallons) per second, equivalent to the peak water demand of 3,500 homes. One proposal sought to consume 21 million liters/day (4.6 million gallons), equivalent to the water needs of approximately 147,000 people.”

Although the sector consumes less water than industries such as golf course maintenance, it has experienced record expansion. In February, consultancy Water Research Centre estimated that data centers in England utilize approximately 1.9 billion liters (50 million gallons) of potable water annually, representing roughly 0.2 percent of the non-household market. However, the organization noted a “clear upward trend” in overall consumption.

The ruling Labour Party has rejected the Greens’ call for a moratorium, warning that it would jeopardize employment. A government spokesperson stated: “A pause on building new data centers would simply send investment and good jobs abroad, while leaving Britain dependent on overseas computing for the processing of sensitive health and defense data. Put simply: it would be a disaster for jobs and national security.” The spokesperson clarified that the stance does not equate to unconditional approval: “That said, this does not mean a blank cheque for Big Tech or that every data center should be approved. Developers must plan to use clean power, use water responsibly, create British jobs and supply chains, and provide investment to the communities in which they are built.”