Small Modular Nuclear Reactors - Question

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:29 pm on 22 January 2025.

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Photo of Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) 3:29, 22 January 2025

My Lords, obviously, we are all very excited by the potential of AI. My understanding is that current electricity demand from, for example, data centre growth—which is part of the package that the noble Earl is referring to—would in 2022 account for 4.05% of UK electricity consumption. NESO’s analysis of future energy scenarios reckons that data centres could increase annual electricity demand by between 27 and 62 terawatt hours by 2050, with estimates of total annual electricity demand ranging from 533 to 700 terawatts hours. Obviously, we are giving this a great deal of consideration.