Britain's five gas grid operators received 86 requests to connect data centres to the gas network between August 2024 and August 2025, sector association Future Energy Networks (FEN) said on Wednesday.
FEN did not provide information about connection requests from data centres before that date, but "networks have experienced a significant increase in enquiries in general", it told Argus. Network operators approved six connection requests over the same 12-month period, with two of those granted in May-July.
The requested networks connections are most likely intended for the installation of combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) or combined-heat-and-power plants adjacent to the data centres. Developers of data centres are increasingly leaning towards using purpose-built gas-fired plants because linking those sites to the electricity grid is far more expensive and involves lengthier waiting times.
Gas connection times are typically 6–12 months, in contrast to electricity connection times, which can be up to 15 years, FEN added.
Five large-scale data centres planned in the south of England have in recent months requested connections to the gas transmission network over 2027-30. Those five data centres alone would absorb 2.5GW of power once they are running at full capacity, National Gas said.
