The data centre campus
The data centre campus
The proposed data centre campus comprises up to three hyperscale data centre buildings, designed for an IT load of up to approximately 300MW across the three buildings.
The massing of the data centre buildings is driven by their functional requirements, organised around a central data hall flanked by two gantries housing backup generators.
Buildings would have a total maximum footprint of approximately 65,000 square metres and a height of up to approximately 40 metres.
Each data centre building would include backup generators to provide resilience in the event of an outage. The current design assumes up to 72 backup generators for each building, or up to 216 across the data centre campus. Details will continue to be refined as the proposals develop.
Rooftops will include screening to conceal equipment and reduce visual clutter. The design also introduces softened edges along the building outline, helping to create a more streamlined appearance.
Cross-sections
Cross-sections of the main development area, featuring proposed bunding (man-made embankments) and landscaping to reduce visibility of data centre buildings.
Cooling the data centre buildings
Data centres require cooling in order to operate. Cooling of the data centre campus is likely to be predominantly through air cooling technology, with the potential for an element of water cooling to satisfy peak demand but within the confines of the available water supply. Where water cooling technology is to be used, the aim will be to maximise the use of raw water and rainwater harvesting.
Operations
Once operational, the data centre campus would provide secure and reliable digital services. Day-to-day activity would mainly involve monitoring, maintenance, security and servicing by specialist teams, with vehicle movements limited to staff, maintenance and deliveries.
The first data centre is expected to become operational in around 2031 and would build up to full capacity over one to two years, with the wider campus brought into operation in phases as each data centre building is completed.
Decommissioning
It is anticipated that the lifetime of the data centre buildings will span 60 years. As part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application, we will explain how the data centre campus could be decommissioned at the end of its operational life.
All visuals shown are indicative and are subject to further design evolution.