Transparency data

AI Energy Council minutes: Monday 1 December 2025 (HTML)

Updated 18 December 2025

Attendees

Ministerial attendance

• Minister Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for AI and Online Safety, DSIT (Co-chair, deputising for DSIT SoS)
• Minister Shanks , Minister for Energy for Energy Security and Net Zero
• Lord Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research, Innovation and Nuclear, DESNZ/DSIT (Co-chair, deputising for DESNZ SoS)

External attendees

• Jonathan Brearley, CEO, Ofgem
• Fintan Slye, CEO, National Energy System Operator (NESO)
• Alice Delahunty, President, National Grid Transmission UK
• Niels Roberts, Chief Information Officer, EDF Energy
• Tom Williamson, Head of Innovation, Scottish Power
• Tom Greatrex, CEO, Nuclear Industry Association (NIA)
• Karl Byrne, Energy Strategic Negotiator, Google
• Lindsay McQuade, EMEA Director of Energy, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Christoph Mazur, Director - Energy and Sustainability, Microsoft
• James Tyler, Managing Director, UK Operations, Equinix
• Sikander Rashid, Managing Partner and Head of Europe, Brookfield
• Paolo Toccaceli, Technical Specialist, Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA)
• Lucy Yu,CEO, Centre for Net Zero, Octopus Energy Group; AI Champion for Clean Energy

Officials

(Officials from the secretariat and Private Office were also present but have not been included).

• Chris Cheetham-West, Director AI, DESNZ
• Emily Bourne, Director Energy Systems and Networks, DESNZ
• Sam Cannicott, Director, AI Opportunities Directorate, DSIT

Opening remarks

Ministers emphasised the UK’s ambition to drive prosperity through AI growth and confirmed the establishment of 3 AI Growth Zones (AIGZs), supported by a package including faster grid access, local benefits scheme, electricity discounts where surplus power exists, and fast‑track planning for critical projects. Attendees were encouraged to be more ambitious and explore creative options such as microgrids.

Senior officials underlined the urgency of clearing barriers to energy supply, the need for rapid and practical delivery, and the importance of acting within tight timescales given rising electricity demand.

DESNZ presented on recent announcements that build on NESO and Ofgem’s efforts to accelerate network infrastructure and improve the connections process. This included proposals to manage speculative demand, plans to reserve and reallocate capacity for strategically important projects, the Connections Accelerator Service, and exploration of self-build options for developers.

Discussion

Attendees welcomed the policy momentum and sought clarity on the criteria for designating AIGZs, noting the importance of clusters and the need to align local planning capacity with investment ambitions. It was noted that some areas are already experiencing strong market‑led growth, and the AIGZ programme aims to support regions where additional intervention can unlock opportunity.

Participants highlighted the value of clearer demand projections, including longer‑term ambitions beyond the initial 6 GW, to inform infrastructure and supply chain planning. Multiple members stressed that while self‑build options could help accelerate delivery, they are constrained by limited skills, supply chain capacity, and the need for ultimate grid connection to manage risk.

Supply chain bottlenecks were repeatedly identified as a major challenge. Members encouraged greater visibility of future procurement forecasts, expanded certification of suppliers, and clearer signals to give investors confidence in timely delivery.

The group discussed rapid growth in the connections queue and concerns about speculative applications. Some favoured incentivising committed, long‑term projects and welcomed ongoing regulatory consultations. The importance of focusing on real, deliverable projects was stressed, including through the Connections Acceleration Service (CAS).

Members proposed more coordinated government support, including a “SWOT team” to navigate planning and regulatory complexity. There was strong support for integrated solutions combining clean energy, data centre development, and wider electrification. Participants also referenced the potential of advanced technologies, including behind‑the‑meter generation and emerging small‑scale low‑carbon options, as part of longer‑term strategies.

Actions:

1. All to consider market demand and supply, including implications for security of supply and longer‑term capacity requirements, with assessment of 6GW, 8GW and 10GW demand-growth scenarios.
   
2. Attendees to share views on current supply chain pipelines and identify bottlenecks.
   
3. Attendees to provide practical advice on self‑build options, including constraints and opportunities to accelerate delivery.

The Council will reconvene in the New Year.