techUK Report - Foundations For The Future: How Data Centres Can Supercharge UK Economic Growth

DC report.jpg 1

techUK is excited to announce the release of its latest report highlighting the crucial role of the data centres sector as the backbone of the UK's digital economy. Data centres are poised for unprecedented growth, with the potential to contribute an additional £44 billion to the UK economy by 2035.

techUK's report demonstrates just how significant a contribution data centres make to the UK economy, and what more can be done to sustain this infrastructure and support their growth. Importantly, the report also shines a light on the impact data centres make in the nations and regions, and shares lessons from data centre development in West London and Slough, Greater Manchester and Cardiff and Newport. 

The primary economic value of data centres is their role in enabling digital transformation across all sectors of the economy, allowing businesses to benefit from digital products and services that allow them to operate and be more efficient and productive. Although the wider economic impact induced and enabled by data centres is beyond the scope of the report, the fact that almost every job in the UK is reliant on a data centre should not go unnoticed and should be a key consideration for national and local policymakers reading this report. 

Key findings

According to the report’s analysis, data centres are currently contributing: 

  • £4.7 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) annually to the UK economy. 
  • 43,500 jobs across the UK economy. 
  • £640 million in tax revenue to the exchequer. 

However, as technology continues to evolve, with significant advancements in AI and emerging technologies, the demand for data centres is set to increase at a much faster rate than it ever has before, with projections of future growth at between 10-20% a year. 

techUK’s analysis emphasises that if the UK can increase data centre supply above its recent growth rate of 10% to 15% a year, this could have a transformative impact on the sector and wider UK economy by 2035, unlocking:

  • A GVA boost: £44 billion additional GVA between 2025-35 from the construction and operation of data centres
  • An employment boost: 40,200 additional jobs directly employed in (often high-paid) data centre operational roles by the year 2035; 18,200 additional jobs directly employed in data centre construction roles over the period 2025-35
  • A tax boost: an additional £9.7 billion in tax revenue generated by the industry.   

These figures highlight the industry’s immense potential to spur national and regional growth, drive innovation, and support high-quality jobs throughout the country. If this national and regional economic opportunity is to be realised, it is essential the broader data centre policy opportunities and challenges are fully understood. 

Data centres are critical to powering the technology that drives our modern economy. This government has already begun to give a boost to the sector by giving them Critical National Infrastructure status which will strengthen protections against events like cyber-attacks. As these findings show, if government and industry work together to tackle the challenges and harness the opportunities the sector offers, we can create thousands of jobs and drive prosperity across all corners of the country. We have already seen the sector respond with over £25 billion of private investment committed in recent months.

Peter Kyle

Technology Secretary


Key recommendations

The report sets out several key policy areas where government action can further enable the growth of the data centre sector and address existing challenges: 

Energy 

Data centres require large amounts of energy, and the sector faces challenges in securing timely and affordable access to clean energy. techUK highlights the need for government support in improving grid connections, reforming processes, and enabling access to renewable energy through initiatives like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Additionally, the development of on-site renewable energy sources such as geothermal or small modular reactors (SMRs) can help ensure the long-term sustainability of data centres. 

Sustainability 

Despite a doubling of data centre workloads since 2015, electricity demand has remained flat due to the industry’s ongoing efficiency improvements. The report recommends greater integration of data centres into district heat networks, the adoption of sustainability reporting standards, and continued focus on resource optimisation to support the sector’s journey towards net-zero emissions. 

Planning Reforms 

The UK’s planning system needs reform to accelerate data centre development. The report calls for the introduction of a National Policy Statement for data centres, streamlined planning processes through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime, and improved training for local planning authorities to ensure consistent decision-making. These changes will help ensure that data centres can be built quickly and efficiently, contributing to local and national economic growth. 

Skills Development 

Data centres offer high-paying, stable jobs, but the industry faces challenges in attracting skilled workers. The report encourages reforms to the apprenticeship levy and greater promotion of career pathways in the sector. Initiatives such as the National Data Centres Academy and local partnerships with colleges are key to addressing skills shortages and fostering the next generation of talent.


techUK looks forward to working with the Government to deliver on economic growth

techUK thanks this report’s sponsors: Ark Data Centres, Colt Data Centre Services, Keysource, Pulsant, Shoosmiths and Telehouse for their support, alongside all techUK members, the techUK Data Centre Council – comprised of twenty senior business leaders representing the full spectrum of interests of the sector, wider industry, and the representatives of national and regional governments who have contributed their time. 

Download the Annex I with Methodology and Sources here.

 

Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy; without them our transport, energy and wider economy couldn’t function. And with continued AI advances, the importance of data centres to unlocking tech-led growth is only accelerating. Despite the critical role data centres play in supporting sustainable economic growth, their potential is far from fully realised. With the right policy support and collaboration between industry and government, the sector is poised to drive further innovation and enable digital transformation across all sectors of the economy across the country.

Matthew Evans, Director for Markets and COO

techUK

The essential role that data centres play in our modern economy is underappreciated by the public and politicians alike. Not only do they unlock the vast array of technological services we all rely on every day but they’re big business – bringing investment, jobs and tax revenues at both a local and national level. This report aims to shine a light on both their current impact but also their future potential. If the UK can present itself as an obvious market for international investors over the next decade, we all stand to gain.

Nick King, Managing Director

Henham Strategy

 


Innovation Summit 2024

Join techUK on 6 November as we traverse the extraordinary and ground-breaking discoveries made possible by the application of emerging and transformative technologies.

Sign up free here

Data Centres Programme activities

techUK provides a collective voice for UK Data Centre operators working with government to improve the business environment for our members. We keep members up to date with the key technical and regulatory developments that may impact growth and on funding opportunities that may increase commercial competitiveness. Visit the programme page here.

 

Upcoming events

Latest news and insights 

Learn more and get involved

 

Data Centres updates

Sign-up to get the latest updates and opportunities from our Data Centres programme.

 

 

 

Here are the five reasons you should join the Data Centres programme.

Learn about the value members get from our work.

Download

Join techUK groups

techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

Learn more

Become a techUK member

Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.

Learn more

 Meet the team 

Luisa C. Cardani

Luisa C. Cardani

Head of Data Centres Programme, techUK

Weronika Dorociak

Weronika Dorociak

Programme Manager, Sustainability , techUK

Lucas Banach

Lucas Banach

Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK