Data centre developments could be saddled with new fees for grid access under new proposals from energy regulator Ofgem as it seeks to ease connection queues. It has launched a consultation on plans to tackle speculative data centre projects as part of a wider programme of reforms to ensure network capacity is used for projects that are ready and able to connect. This rise is driven largely by data centre projects, accounting for at least 80GW. Ofgem is proposing a new Data Centre Commitment Fee, which would be paid by large data centre developments when accepting a connection offer. The proposals follow a sharp increase in demand connection applications, with contracted demand offers increasing from 41GW to 125GW between November 2024 and June 2025, driven largely by demand from data centre projects.