Planning for the future

The report emphasizes that grid capacity is now a primary driver for data centre investment in Europe. To avoid downgraded forecasts and remain competitive in the global AI race, the author recommends that governments treat grids as strategic infrastructure. Key proposals include the creation of priority AI zones outside congested capital cities, joint spatial planning to locate demand nodes near clean energy sources, and the implementation of non-firm grid connection options to reduce queues. Additionally, the document calls for increased research into data centre flexibility and improved data availability regarding demand profiles and grid capacity maps to inform planning and policy.

• Grid capacity has evolved into a critical resource and a primary attraction for major investors in Europe's data centre sector.
• To mitigate grid congestion in concentrated hubs such as London and Paris, governments and operators can direct AI projects toward areas with better grid availability, such as locations outside of capital cities.
• Joint spatial planning between data centre investors, clean power developers, and grid operators can reduce the need for grid investment and lower electricity costs through near-site Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
• System operators can accelerate data centre deployment and improve infrastructure use by offering non-firm or phased grid connection options to shorten connection queues.
• Implementing the recommended grid and spatial planning strategies requires better data on data centre demand profiles, investment prospects, and the provision of grid capacity maps by operators.

APA

Ember (2025). Planning for the future. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/conclusion/

Chicago

Ember. Planning for the future. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/conclusion/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Planning for the future |date=19 June 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/conclusion/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025planning, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Planning for the future}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/conclusion/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }