Plans have been submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council for one of the largest data centre campuses in Europe.
DC01UK’s proposals represent a ‘best-in-class facility’ of up to two million sq ft set in the grounds of 85 acres near the A1 and M25, just east of South Mimms Services.
The project, currently unrivalled for scale in the UK, has a power reservation of 400MVA from National Grid thanks to its proximity to the Elstree (Letchmore Heath) substation. It is also close to both national and international fibre optic routes and could be operational by 2029.
A spokesperson for DC01UK said: “The ambition for this project is to build the next generation of national digital infrastructure to power the needs of tomorrow.
“DC01UK is a unique and world-leading project. It will be the UK’s premier data centre, providing critical infrastructure for the UK’s future, generating approximately £3.75 billion for the UK economy during the construction phase, and delivering huge economic benefits to the UK and brilliant opportunities for local people.
“This project would put Hertfordshire at the forefront of one of the most technologically exciting projects in Europe and lead the world in setting the gold-standard for the next generation of high-tech infrastructure.
“We also take our green commitments very seriously, with our environmental credentials exceeding industry standards, and innovating to find new and sustainable solutions which will benefit both the data centre as well as local people and businesses.
“We’re incredibly proud that our plans include significant regional benefits too – including £21m additional revenue in business rates, a brand-new technology and innovation hub to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for local people, significant improvements to local transport infrastructure, and 200 new, high-quality, permanent jobs at the site once completed.”
Stephen Beard, head of data centres at Knight Frank, who is advising on the project, said: “Given the existing dearth of cloud supply against the backdrop of unprecedented demand and that of the immediate explosion of AI deployment, the requirements for suitable development sites that offer the necessary access to scalable power, internet connectivity and ultimately, proximity to homes and businesses who are reliant on the data traffic within these facilities is becoming increasingly challenging.
“In the last decade I have yet to see a site that can meet both the cloud needs of today, whilst protecting the AI need of tomorrow, until now.
“I am hugely excited for the benefit DC01UK will bring to the UK both from a direct economic investment perspective and its ability to ultimately position the UK as a leader in the global digital economy.”
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