The UK government has taken a major step towards aligning its energy infrastructure with the growing demands of artificial intelligence, by convening the inaugural meeting of the AI Energy Council – a strategic body aimed at supporting the nation’s ambitions in AI development, including AI chatbots, AI apps, and next-generation AI tools.

Powering AI Growth with Clean Energy

Chaired jointly by the Secretaries of Technology and Energy, the Council’s first session brought together leading organisations from both sectors – including National Grid, EDF, Ofgem, Scottish Power, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), ARM, and Google. Their mission? To ensure the UK has the sustainable energy infrastructure needed to support the rapid rise of AI apps, AI chat, and AI generators, while also contributing to economic growth and job creation under the government’s Plan for Change.

The Council is particularly focused on the energy requirements of large-scale data centres—the backbone of AI technologies like AI ChatGPT and AI checkers—which require reliable, high-capacity electricity access. The UK aims to meet this demand by prioritising AI Growth Zones, which are being developed in areas with access to at least 500MW of power—enough to supply around two million homes.

Aligning Clean Energy with AI Infrastructure

Key discussions included integrating renewable and nuclear energy sources to fuel data processing operations, ensuring that AI chatbots and AI check tools can run sustainably. The Council will also advise on the use of water and energy efficiency in data centres, supporting the secure and responsible adoption of AI across the energy sector itself.

As part of the wider strategy, the government is working with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to reform the UK’s energy connections process. These reforms are expected to release over 400GW of capacity, enabling faster deployment of energy-intensive infrastructure like AI generators and AI chat solutions.

Industry Voices: Driving AI Innovation Responsibly

“We’re not just building capacity for AI—we’re building a responsible, forward-thinking infrastructure to power the UK’s digital future,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

His colleague, Ed Miliband, Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, added:

“AI has a vital role to play in the UK’s clean energy transformation. Through this Council, we’ll ensure a sustainable scale-up that benefits businesses and communities across the country.”

Executives from major players also voiced support:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) highlighted their commitment to renewable energy and pledged to support the UK’s AI efforts, in line with their Climate Pledge to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040.
  • Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, emphasised the importance of deploying AI fairly and securely, with consumer interests at the core.
  • Ruth Porat from Google praised the UK’s proactive stance and underlined the need for strategic collaboration between energy and tech sectors.

Preparing for an AI-Driven Economy

Through the Clean Power Action Plan, the government aims to connect more homegrown clean energy to the national grid—supporting everything from AI checker platforms to AI-powered innovation hubs. With streamlined planning processes and prioritisation of key projects, the UK is set to become a leader in both AI innovation and sustainable energy.

As more businesses deploy AI chatbots, AI apps, and automated AI tools, access to reliable, clean power will be essential. The AI Energy Council is central to delivering that future—making sure the UK is ready not only to lead in artificial intelligence, but to do so in a way that is secure, efficient, and environmentally sound.