Social Licence Forum 2027

Public awareness of data centres is increasing rapidly, driven by the growth of AI and growing scrutiny of the infrastructure supporting it. Yet while the industry plays an increasingly critical role …

The race to build the AI-ready infrastructure is accelerating, but securing permits and approvals remains one of the industry's greatest challenges. Research shows that half of planned data centre pro …

Community opposition is no longer viewed solely as a communications challenge. It is increasingly being assessed as a project and investment risk. Questions around energy consumption, water use, land …

Data centre operators are increasingly being asked to demonstrate not only the economic value of their projects, but also their contribution to the communities that host them. Yet community expectations can vary significantly, and initiatives that resonate in one location may have little relevance in another. Success increasingly depends on identifying local needs and aligning investments accordingly. As expectations continue to evolve, how can operators develop community value strategies that deliver measurable outcomes and create lasting value for both communities and developers?

 

• How can operators identify what communities genuinely value, rather than assuming which benefits will resonate?
• What does a good community benefits programme look like?
• Which community and sustainability investments deliver the greatest long-term value?

For information on how to attend the Social Licence Forum, please email: louise.burrett@techoraco.com

Roundtable 1: Energy Prices and Power Politics How can the industry demonstrate how data centre growth can strengthen rather than strain local energy systems? How can operators work more effectively w …