Hundreds Take to the Streets Over Microsoft’s Leeds Data Centers

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Leeds city center on Saturday to oppose Microsoft’s plans to build three data centers at Skelton Grange.

The demonstration, organized by the No Leeds Datacentre campaign, took place at Millennium Square and focused on concerns over the environmental impact of the project.

Opposition has been building for months, with an earlier petition against the development gathering around 40,000 signatures.

Microsoft plans to construct three three-storey data centers at the site. If the project moves forward as planned, construction is expected to begin early next year.

Protesters raise concerns over water and environmental impact

Campaigners have raised concerns about the facilities’ potential water consumption, energy use, noise, and the amount of land required for the development.

Protester Bronwen Pope-Wilby told the Yorkshire Evening Post that water should not be diverted to data centers while communities face broader environmental and climate pressures.

The concerns come as Microsoft has already faced criticism over rising water consumption linked to its expanding data center infrastructure.

Microsoft says the facilities will rely mostly on air cooling

Microsoft disputes some of the claims made by campaigners and says the Leeds data centers will use air cooling around 95% of the time.

The company also says it will match all electricity consumed by the facilities with renewable energy generated in the UK.

Microsoft has pointed to its wider environmental commitments, including plans to become carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030.

Leeds MP calls for pause on new AI data centers

Leeds East Labour MP Richard Burgon has backed the protesters and tabled a cross-party parliamentary motion calling for a temporary pause on approvals for new AI data centers.

Burgon argues that further developments could have a “devastating impact” on the UK’s ability to address climate change.

He wants the government to pause new approvals while it evaluates the benefits and potential environmental costs of additional data center development.

The parliamentary motion would not cancel Microsoft’s Leeds project, but it adds to the political pressure surrounding the expansion of AI infrastructure in the UK.

Via Neowin