UK Activists Plan Nationwide Protests Over Climate and Community Impact of AI Data Centres

Climate campaigners and community groups are preparing for coordinated protests across the UK over concerns about the environmental and social impact of rapidly expanding AI data centres.

The demonstrations, organised by environmental charity Global Action Plan, are set to take place over two days and will target multiple proposed or existing sites. One of the largest events, branded March Against The Machines, is scheduled to begin outside OpenAI’s London office on Saturday at midday.

Campaigners argue that the rapid construction of hyperscale data centres to support artificial intelligence development risks undermining the UK’s climate goals. Oliver Hayes, Head of Campaigns at Global Action Plan, said unchecked expansion by major technology firms could threaten progress toward net zero targets.

Data centres require substantial amounts of electricity and water to power and cool high performance computing equipment. As demand for AI systems grows, so too does the need for infrastructure capable of handling complex training and inference tasks. This has led to a surge in planning proposals and grid connection requests across Britain.

According to Britain’s energy regulator Ofgem, around 140 data centres have signalled their intention to connect to the national grid, with potential combined demand reaching as much as 50 gigawatts. For comparison, peak UK electricity demand earlier this month stood at about 45 gigawatts, highlighting the scale of projected consumption.

Industry group techUK estimated in late 2024 that roughly 450 data centres were operating in the UK, although there is no formal legal definition that clearly categorises such facilities. Technology firms have increasingly invested directly in energy infrastructure, as access to reliable power becomes a critical constraint on AI growth.

OpenAI announced in January plans linked to its Stargate initiative, a long term project aimed at building advanced AI data centre capacity. The company said it would develop community plans for each of its sites to address local concerns and engagement.

Despite such commitments, opposition is building in several areas. In Havering, east London, local environmental advocates have criticised proposals to develop data centre infrastructure on Green Belt land, arguing that the projects would consume significant power and water while damaging farmland. Similar objections have been raised in Buckinghamshire, where residents say developments are being accelerated without sufficient public consultation.

Some groups are calling for a moratorium on new hyperscale data centre construction until a broader public debate takes place. They are demanding formal inquiries and stronger community led engagement frameworks before further approvals are granted.

The protests reflect a wider international debate about the trade off between digital innovation and environmental sustainability. As AI continues to expand into sectors ranging from finance to healthcare, pressure is mounting on governments and companies to balance economic opportunity with climate commitments and local community interests.