The UK Government has initiated an eight-week consultation to revamp environmental permitting for data centers and energy infrastructure in line with recommendations from the Corry Review.
During the consultation, the focus will be on exploring the potential for a simplified and forward-looking framework that can expedite the construction of energy infrastructure and data centers. The proposed changes aim to facilitate the testing of new technologies, such as using hydrogen as a fuel at industrial sites, by offering a more streamlined approval process for time-limited trials.
One of the key proposals includes the introduction of a new registration pathway for low-risk installations, specifically mentioning data centers and backup generators. The Government believes that these reforms could significantly reduce the time required to obtain environmental permits, from months to mere days, and also lower compliance costs. Additionally, the plans draw inspiration from international best practices, with a focus on flexible permits that set emissions caps at the site level to minimize bureaucracy and duplication while still achieving emissions reductions.
