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UK's Ofgem Weighs Mandatory Power Cuts for Data Centers During Grid Stress

June 16, 2026 at 08:09 EDT

Policy & Regulation
Infra & Chips

The UK's energy regulator Ofgem is weighing whether future data centers should be required to reduce power consumption during periods of grid stress, it emerged on June 16, 2026. The option is framed as a "backstop" measure to cope with surging electricity demand driven by AI and cloud computing.

Feb 13, 2026 · UK Grid Reform

Should Data Centers Be Forced to Flex Their Power Use?

The UK government and Ofgem are weighing whether large consumers like data centers must offer "demand flexibility" — curtailing power during grid stress — as a condition of connecting to the network.

~140

data center applications in the queue (~50GW combined)

~20GW

of that has reached final investment decision

~100GW

new demand absorbable by trimming 0.25–1% of usage at peaks

The Connection Queue Exploded

Contracted offers tripled in 7 months — now nearly 3× the UK's peak demand.

41GW

Offers
Nov 2024

~45GW

Peak
demand

125GW

Offers
Jun 2025

Data Centers' Share of UK Electricity

TODAY

1–2.5%

~2GW of national electricity

→

BY 2050

10%+

driven by AI demand growth

What "Flexible Connection" Could Mean

Connection conditions that let the grid limit usage during system stress.

Non-firm

Curtail load when the network is constrained.

Ramped

Raise capacity in stages over time.

Profiled

Shift workloads by time and location, or reduce them.

OPPORTUNITY

Some operators see flexible connections as an incentive to connect earlier. Bodies like Energy UK frame flexibility as a chance — provided priority connections don't crowd out other demand or renewables.

CONCERN

Mandated flexibility could complicate investment decisions and day-to-day operations. The reform's detailed design rests on the consultation, which closes April 15, 2026.

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