Energy continues to be one of the biggest issues shaping the future of the UK data centre sector, so we caught up with Greg Thomas from UrbanChain at DCR Live 2026 to hear his perspective on how operators can scale responsibly.

During the conversation, Greg highlighted the challenges around grid connections, capacity constraints and the need for greater access to traceable renewable energy, particularly as demand from AI and high-performance computing continues to grow.

Greg also discussed why traditional approaches to power may not be enough to support future demand, pointing to the potential role of local renewable generation, microgrids and private wire connections in helping data centres unlock new opportunities.

The conversation also touched on the industry’s need to build greater public trust, communicate its value more clearly and treat energy as a strategic opportunity, rather than simply an operating cost.

You can watch our full interview with Greg on our YouTube channel, or by clicking on the video above.