Data centres are among the fastest-growing sources of electricity demand in GB, with NESO scenarios projecting 6–15 GW of additional grid capacity by 2050. Current frameworks treat this demand as passive and firm, despite evidence that significant portions of DC (Data Centres) load are controllable and non-coincident. This feasibility study will produce the first quantitative evidence base on DC flexibility potential through compute workload shifting, smart scheduling and behind-the-meter asset strategies. Working with DC operators as a stakeholder panel, the study will quantify flexibility potential, assess operating model feasibility and enablers, develop a GB-wide cost-benefit assessment, and propose pragmatic next steps for trials supporting demand connections reform.
Benefits
1. What is the expected benefit delivered directly by THIS PROJECT?
1a. Short benefit statement
A strengthened, evidence‑based understanding of whether data centre demand can be treated as flexible operationally, rather than assumed to be permanently inflexible.
1b. Who benefits and how
NESO and network licensees (better demand forecasting and connection decisions, less over-provisioning); DC operators (faster connections, higher utilisation, lower cost/carbon); consumers (avoided or deferred network reinforcement that would otherwise be socialised across bills).
1c. How confident are you this project will deliver this benefit?
High that the project delivers the evidence base, analysis and forward proposals; Medium on the eventual magnitude of flexibility, which depends on operator data access.
1d. Can this benefit be quantified?
Partially at this stage. The direct output is knowledge - a quantified flexibility range (MW, MWh, compute hours) and a scenario-based CBA (GBP, tCO2, MW of deferred capacity). Precise figures cannot be stated before the study; indicative signals include UKPN evidence that roughly two-thirds of DCs peak below 50% of contracted capacity, up to 40% of hyperscale workloads being time-shiftable, and around 33% energy savings from smart scheduling.
2. What is the expected benefit if this idea is implemented at full scale?
2a. High-level outcome statement
At full scale, flexible DC operation plus behind-the-meter assets reduce peak demand and grid-reinforcement needs, accelerate connections, and align DC load with low-carbon generation - material against the 6-15 GW of DC grid capacity projected by 2050.
2b. Who will benefit from this project in the future and in what way?
Consumers (lower socialised network costs), the system and NESO (operability and deferred capex), DC operators (faster, cheaper connections and higher utilisation), and net-zero delivery (lower carbon).
2c. What needs to happen for this future benefit to be realised?
Successful trials, market/product and connection-reform changes, operator adoption and orchestration capability, and supporting policy and regulatory enablers.
2d. How confident are you this project will deliver this benefit?
High – NESO can action recommendations in Demand Connections Reform; dependent on trials, market design and industry adoption.
2e. Can this benefit be quantified?
Not reliably at this stage – that is in part the purpose of this project, to discover the potential value of the benefits/savings this approach could generate; the WP3 cost-benefit assessment will produce the first scenario-based estimates (GBP, tCO2, MW of deferred capacity) to underpin a future full-scale benefit case.
