Google, the internet search engine giant, is weighing up a plan to have computerised data centres installed on barges moored out at sea. This would mean it could avoid paying hefty property taxes which it now has to find with its shoreside operation. But the barges could use wave energy to power and cool their computers.

This could soon be a major consideration as by 2020 it is predicted that data centres’ carbon footprint will be greater than that of air travel.

The barges would be moored up to seven miles offshore.