UK Data Centers Seek Gas Pipeline Connections to Bypass Grid Delays

Five UK data center projects have asked to connect to National Gas pipelines to build onsite gas-fired plants, bypassing long grid connection delays. The move highlights a growing global trend of data centers turning to natural gas to secure reliable power.

(P&GJ) — Five UK data center projects are exploring connections to the national gas pipeline system, according to DataCenterDynamics, which cited a Financial Times report.

The operators have approached National Gas, which owns and manages the country’s 7,600-kilometer (4,722-mile) transmission network, about the feasibility of connecting their projects to pipelines. National Gas confirmed that the inquiries could require up to 2.5 GW of capacity, with developers considering gas-fired generation at the data center sites.

Industry observers note the move reflects mounting frustration over long wait times for electricity grid connections in the UK, where delays can stretch from five to ten years. Onsite gas generation is emerging as a quicker alternative, offering greater certainty for hyperscale and colocation providers eager to keep pace with demand.

The trend isn’t limited to Britain. Developers in Europe and the U.S. have also turned to natural gas solutions. In Germany, CyrusOne recently partnered with to build a 61 MW gas-powered plant for its FRA7 data center, while U.S. utilities and pipeline operators are rolling out new infrastructure to serve data centers directly. Regulators in the U.S. have even moved to streamline approvals for natural gas projects in response to the sector’s growth.

As DataCenterDynamics reported, these inquiries mark the first time UK data centers have formally pursued gas pipeline connections — a signal that the industry may be shifting strategies to bypass grid bottlenecks.