A proposed Google datacentre in Essex is projected to release over half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, according to planning documents. This facility, described as a “hyperscale datacentre,” would occupy 52 hectares (128 acres) in Thurrock if it receives the necessary planning approval.
The proposal comes from a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google’s parent company, amid increasing governmental emphasis on expanding AI capabilities in the UK. During an upcoming state visit from US President Donald Trump, significant investment deals with major tech firms like Nvidia and OpenAI are anticipated.
The UK government has projected a thirteenfold increase in AI-related computing power by 2035, aiming to enhance national economic productivity through the implementation of new datacentres. However, environmental groups have raised concerns that an influx of large-scale data facilities would elevate the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and strain limited power and water resources.
If the Thurrock datacentre is approved, it could consist of up to four buildings on land partly previously used for a speedway and stock car track. The estimated carbon emissions during operation would amount to 568,727 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, equating to around 500 short-haul flights per week. While Google’s application describes this impact as “minor” relative to UK carbon budgets, critics argue otherwise.
Current trends indicate datacentres consume approximately 2.5% of the UK’s electricity, with energy demands projected to quadruple by 2030. The British government does not consider the emissions from such facilities significant due to its plans for a decarbonised electricity grid, yet it remains concerned about the potential of falling behind other nations in AI infrastructure.
Additional significant projects are underway, including a £10 billion datacentre scheme linked to a former coal-fired power station in Northumberland and early-stage discussions about a large datacentre on Teesside. According to Bain & Company, it is estimated that AI and datacentres could contribute to 2% of global emissions by 2035, with the highest impact in regions reliant on fossil fuel power sources. Google has not commented on the Thurrock proposal or on potential developments in Teesside.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/sep/15/google-datacentre-kent-co2-thurrock-uk-ai