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AI Energy Council: terms of reference

Published 4 September 2025

1. Role of the group

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) are committed to addressing the growing energy demands of AI in a sustainable, efficient, and scalable manner.

The AI Energy Council (AIEC), as introduced in the AI Opportunities Action Plan Government Response, aims to identify potential low carbon technologies to power the increasing energy demands of AI. The AIEC will also provide expert insight on the energy needs of AI, opportunities to accelerate investment in the development of low carbon technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the role of AI in a modern, efficient and sustainable energy system.

2. Objectives

To advise government on the energy system’s readiness to support AI / compute infrastructure to allow government to act to ensure the maximum growth of the sector in the UK

The AIEC will advise on the improvements that the UK energy system is likely to require to meet the forthcoming demands of AI, cloud computing, and digital growth. This includes providing guidance on how to minimise the uncertainty associated with forecasting future energy demand from data centres and advising on potential options for locating future data centre infrastructure in areas of spare grid capacity.

Government intends to use this advice going forward in planning for the future growth of the sector in the UK and establishing methods to connect AI/compute infrastructure more rapidly to the grid power the sector needs to expand.

To promote sustainability and the use of renewable energy solutions

The AIEC will explore innovative low carbon technologies, including renewables and nuclear, improve energy efficiency in AI and data centre infrastructure, and promote the reuse of excess heat and the use of water and power efficient cooling systems. It will also collaborate with energy and AI industries to promote the acceleration of research and development of next-generation AI technologies that minimise environmental impact, including exploring standard metrics for data centres sustainability for recommendation to government.

To promote the safe and secure adoption of AI within the energy system

The AIEC will work with government, regulators and industry to provide strategic direction that will accelerate the application of AI to optimise the generation, distribution, and consumption of energy across the UK, whilst mitigating risk.

3. Governance

The work of the AIEC will be initiated with a meeting at the start of each term chaired by the DSIT and DESNZ Secretaries of State (the “Chairs”). At this meeting, the AIEC will set the strategic direction and identify more targeted objectives or priority topics for discussion for its term. The AIEC will agree on approximately 3 focus areas, aligned with the agreed objectives of the AIEC. The AIEC reserves the right to introduce additional focus areas or adjust existing ones in response to evolving government priorities and strategic direction.

The AIEC will be supported by a small secretariat formed of civil servants from DSIT and DESNZ, overseen by a senior civil servant (Deputy Director) with responsibility for ensuring the Chairs and members of the AIEC have the resources needed, and that meetings are run effectively. The secretariat will regularly review with the Chairs whether there is a need to make changes to the structure, frequency or purpose of the AIEC. Others, such as the Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers will be invited to attend as observers.

Experts, selected by the AIEC with advice from the secretariat, will develop evidence-based discussion papers on the chosen focus areas, which will serve as the foundation for discussions throughout the Council’s term, with support from the secretariat as needed.

The AIEC will meet informally on a quarterly basis at meetings chaired by the DSIT and DESNZ Secretaries of State. Each informal meeting will be dedicated to reviewing the progress of one of the focus areas, discussing emerging findings from the evidence papers, addressing any roadblocks, and providing strategic direction.

4. Membership

The AIEC will be co-chaired by the Secretary of States for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department of Energy and Net Zero.

Membership of the AIEC will be fixed for the term of the council. Members will not misuse information gained in the course of activity of the AIEC for personal gain or political purpose and will declare any possible conflicts of interest ahead of a meeting of the AIEC. Members of the AIEC will join on a voluntary basis and shall not receive any remuneration or disbursements for their participation.

Additional members may be invited to meetings of the AIEC as needed, based on the topic under discussion and the expertise required.  The only information to be shared and discussed in the AIEC is information that is OFFICIAL – FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. No sensitive information will be shared with external contributors.

5. Term and review

The AIEC shall serve a term of 12 months, after which the terms of reference will be reviewed by the Chairs and secretariat. It may be reviewed and, if necessary revised, any time prior to this. An earlier review may take place if there is a significant change in government policy, a change in the Chair of the AIEC, or with the agreement of the Council.

At the conclusion of the 12-month period, a decision by the chairs will be made regarding the renewal of the Council for a subsequent term.