Alongside England’s draft planning policy for data centres, the Treasury published a Data Centre Covenant. Unlike the planning policy, it applies across the UK, including Wales. It offers data centres that UK Ministers consider “strategic” faster access to the electricity grid, in return for meeting five tests on bills, local benefit, the environment, jobs and security.
The Welsh Government is not mentioned, “strategic” is not yet defined, and the tests protect electricity bill-payers but not water bill-payers. Read what it means for Wales, with questions you could ask.
The draft planning policy is open for comment until 8 January 2027, and responses can mention the Covenant.