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UK Conservatives, including shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho, are pushing for fossil fuels to power AI development, arguing it contradicts the UK's net zero target set for 2050. Reform UK has proposed abandoning climate goals for AI data center expansion, with experts warning this could lead to over-reliance on fossil fuels and stranded assets.

A poll indicates 78% of the UK public supports renewable energy for data centers. The Labour government aims to increase data center capacity by 6GW by 2030 but has not disclosed how to meet energy demands. Tensions rise as the Conservative party shifts away from climate action, while various reports from think tanks advocate for gas as a short-term solution for AI infrastructure.