ON-PREM
Bans on new server farm projects spread across the US, while plans meet with protests in the UK
Anti-datacenter sentiment appears to be hardening in the US and UK, with more American jurisdictions blocking new builds and protesters marching against a planned facility in London's historic Brick Lane.A burst of new projects on both sides of the Atlantic has brought concerns about electricity bills, water supplies, and massive warehouse-like structures looming over nearby homes.More than 200 datacenter bans and moratoriums took effect in the US over the past 30 days, bringing the number of active restrictions nationwide to more than 550, according to The Information.
New York became the first state to enact a moratorium last month, citing growing worries over the impact on utility rates and public health of the server farms, but its ban specifically targets large hyperscale facilities capable of consuming at least 50 MW.
More recently, Texas governor Greg Abbott paused approvals for datacenter projects seeking access to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid until state regulators have audited their connection requests.The trend was already visible earlier this year, when figures showed that data hall capacity under construction in primary US markets had declined during the second half of 2025 as community opposition increasingly disrupted planning approvals.A recent Gallup survey found the majority of Americans are now opposed to datacenters being built in their area, many so strongly opposed that they would sooner see a nuclear power plant built nearby.President Trump appears to be in two minds over the increasing antipathy towards giant server farms. Last month, he expanded his Ratepayer Protection Pledge, whereby companies agree to protect American consumers from any price hikes due to the extra energy and grid infrastructure needed.
