DC01UK has submitted a planning application for a massive new data centre campus in Hertsmere. The proposed facility, located on an 85-acre site adjacent to the A1 and M25, is expected to become one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses, offering up to two million square feet of floor space.
Driven by the surging demand for data centres due to AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive services, the South Mimms site aims to meet future needs. With a power reservation of 400MVA from National Grid, excellent connectivity and proximity to established Availability Zones, the location is ideally suited for such a large-scale project.
The construction of DC01UK is estimated to be around £3.75 billion and will have a significant economic impact, creating at least 500 jobs during the construction phase and 200 permanent jobs once it is operational. The final data centre will potentially generate £1.1 billion for the local area and 13,700 job opportunities across the UK as a whole. A Technology and Innovation Hub, to be based in the heart of South Mimms, will provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, commented: “This is incredibly exciting news. It shows that Hertsmere is an extremely desirable location for business and is a natural base for the cutting-edge technology and critical infrastructure which will serve Britain in the coming years and for many future generations. The project is aligned with the council’s vision. It will be a major boost for our economic development, creative and climate change strategies.”
The project is committed to sustainability, incorporating green initiatives such as on-site renewable power generation and biodiversity enhancements. The construction will align with Hertsmere Borough Council’s Net Zero strategy. This includes low-carbon buildings, on-site renewable power generation, and a net biodiversity increase of at least 10% with 54% of the site retained as open green space.
Hertsmere, already a hub for the film and technology industry, is poised to attract even more global companies with the addition of this major data centre campus. The government’s recent designation of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure further strengthens the sector’s position and encourages investment in a sector generating an estimated GBP £4.6 billion annually.
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
