Key developments
UK revises AI emissions forecast sharply upward
The U.K. government’s Compute Roadmap, published Thursday, says greenhouse-gas emissions from AI data centers could reach 123 million metric tons of CO2 between 2025 and 2035, equal to about 3.4% of national emissions. That is roughly 100 times higher than a July 2025 estimate of up to 0.142 MtCO2 in 2035, after the earlier model was withdrawn in March. The revised analysis also raises water-use estimates and has drawn sharp criticism from MPs and campaigners.
Why it matters
It materially changes the climate footprint attached to the UK's AI strategy and could affect energy and planning policy.
Sources & driving stories
POLITICO
POLITICO coverageANDRITZ lands India's giant pumped-storage contract
ANDRITZ said it signed a contract to supply electromechanical equipment for the Saidongar-1 Karjat pumped-storage project in Maharashtra, India. The order is valued in the low three-digit million-euro range and will be booked in first-quarter 2026 intake. When completed, the plant is expected to reach 3,000 MW, generate 6,241 GWh a year, and cut about 4.55 million tons of CO2 annually.
Why it matters
The project would add major grid-scale storage that can support renewable power integration and emissions cuts.
Sources & driving stories
IMPELLER.NET
impeller.net coverageVineyard Wind cleared to keep building
A Massachusetts Superior Court granted Vineyard Wind a preliminary injunction in full, allowing work on the offshore wind farm off Nantucket to continue after GE Renewables signaled it might stop work over alleged nonpayment for 18 months. The project is expected to deliver 806 MW of renewable electricity to Massachusetts. The ruling follows delays and costs tied to a July 2024 blade collapse and moves the project closer to commissioning in the coming weeks.
Why it matters
It removes a legal obstacle from one of the U.S. Northeast's biggest offshore wind projects.
Sources & driving stories
DAVIS POLK
Davis Polk coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
Coral restoration tools go autonomous
bioGraphic reports automated coral planting and heat-stress screening systems that could speed reef restoration, but funding and politics remain limiting factors.
WORTH NOTING
NYC logs Earth Week milestones
DCAS reported a new solar installation, an efficiency retrofit, and a clean-fleet transition update, showing continued city-level decarbonization activity.
WORTH NOTING
U.S. states revisit climate goals
OilPrice says several states are rethinking 2030 emissions targets as costs rise and federal clean-energy support fades, signaling broader policy backsliding risk.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Can UK clean-power buildout offset AI demand?
The revised forecast hinges on whether faster grid decarbonization can counter the electricity and indirect emissions from data-center expansion.
OPEN QUESTION
Will reef robotics scale before bleaching worsens?
The coral restoration article suggests automation could accelerate planting and screening, but it may still lag the pace of heat-driven reef loss.