New 'world-leading' data centre on the horizon for Hertfordshire

The proposed best-in-class facility would be one of the largest data centre campuses in Europe, catering for up to two million square feet of floor space, set in the grounds of 85 acres adjacent to the A1 and M25, just east of South Mimms Services.

Industry leaders have forecast demand for data centres is expected to rise by 53% with the increase in the use of AI, cloud computing, storage, and data-heavy services like video streaming.

The South Mimms location, in the borough of Hertsmere, is a unique proposition, bringing together all the key pillars for a data centre that can fulfil future demands, which are being driven by increased use of cloud storage and AI services. The scale of the project is currently unrivalled in the UK, with the site already having a power reservation of 400MVA from National Grid (likely the UK’s largest pre-2030 power reservation) enabled by its proximity to the Elstree (Letchmore Heath) substation. Additionally, the location is close to the UK’s national and international fibre optic routes and sits nearby to the established and emerging Availability Zones in the region.

DC01UK could be operational in 2029 with economic benefits being felt nationally and locally from the construction phase onwards. The project has an estimated construction value of approximately £3.75bn, supporting at least 500 jobs during the construction phase. Once operational the site would support at least 200 new, permanent, local jobs. Additionally, DC01UK is likely to generate approximately £1.1 billion per annum GVA (Gross Value Added) indirectly per year, as well as create 13,700 new job opportunities throughout the UK across numerous sectors.

The proposed plans outline a distinct set of local benefits which include significant upgrades to local cycling and bus routes, linking the site to Potters Bar, possible expansion of the local cycle hire scheme, and harnessing and redistributing the excess heat from the facility to heat to new local homes and businesses. A brand-new, community-based Technology and Innovation Hub is also key to the local offer. To be situated in the heart of South Mimms at the site of the much-loved former White Hart pub, the facility would provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents in Hertsmere and the wider Hertfordshire county.

DC01UK’s construction will closely align with Hertsmere Borough Council’s Net Zero strategy, delivering low-carbon buildings and on-site renewable power generation. Net biodiversity on the site is also due to increase by at least 10% under the plans, with 54% of the site retained as open, green space.

DC01UK is set to be one of the UK’s largest data centre campuses, set to attract global companies to invest in the region. Hertsmere is already firmly established as a leading location at the core of the UK’s film and technology industry, with DC01UK sitting alongside sizable, continued investment in the area, including the new data centre on the site of the former Mercure Hotel, Elstree Studios, BBC Elstree and more recently, the new Sky Studios.

The government has today (12 September) announced that data centres powering the economy will be put on the same critical footing as energy and water systems, bolstering security and resilience and boosting industry’s confidence in the UK ecosystem. Critical National Infrastructure designation will allow Government to support the sector in the event of critical incidents, minimising impact on lives and livelihoods.

The Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, unveiled the new measures this morning (12 September) announcing the Government has now classed UK data centres – the buildings which store much of the data generated in the UK – as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’. It is the first Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) designation in almost a decade, since the Space and Defence sectors gained the same status in 2015.

The new protections will also boost business confidence in investing in data centres in the country, an industry which already generates an estimated £4.6bn in revenues a year.

CNI designation will, for example, see the setting up of a dedicated CNI data infrastructure team of senior Government officials who will monitor and anticipate potential threats, provide prioritised access to security agencies including the National Cyber Security Centre, and coordinate access to emergency services should an incident occur.

A spokesperson for DC01UK, commenting on their submission of the planning application, 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.”

Peter Kyle MP, Technology Secretary, commented: “Data centres play an essential role in British society, housing some of our most important data from vital NHS records to sensitive financial information.

“This huge £3.75 billion proposed investment is a vote of confidence in our plans to support the sector to thrive, ensuring everyone across society can feel the economic benefits of its growth.

“To achieve this, we must make the sector resilient to the challenges of today – from heatwaves to cyber attacks – which is why only today we have announced we will class data centres as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’, on par with energy supply systems.”

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of Hertsmere Borough Council and Chair of Hertfordshire Growth Board, added:

“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 prospective economic benefits are clear. A scheme like this will deliver significant growth for the area. It will create many new jobs, both during and after construction, and new businesses.

“Of course, the application is subject to the planning process during which we will, as always, listen and speak to residents about the plans, and a public consultation on the proposals will be held for people to give their views. I am certain that local people will realise the benefits of the scheme. It has my full support.”

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.”