A £1.9 billion data centre development in Didcot, spearheaded by US tech firm CloudHQ, is set to create over 1,500 jobs during its construction phase, along with 100 permanent positions once the facility is operational. This is part of a larger £6.3 billion investment in the UK’s data centre infrastructure announced by four US technology companies at the Government’s recent International Investment Summit.
The Didcot project is one of several major investments by companies including CyrusOne, ServiceNow, CloudHQ, and CoreWeave, as global demand for data processing and artificial intelligence capabilities continues to rise. CloudHQ’s new facility, situated on a 37.5-acre campus, will have the capacity to support over 100MW of IT load, with room for future expansion up to 300MW.
Job Creation and Economic Growth
This large-scale development is expected to generate significant employment opportunities. During the construction phase, more than 1,500 jobs will be created, providing a boost to the local workforce. Once the data centre becomes fully operational, 100 permanent roles will be required to manage and maintain the facility.
Recognition as Critical National Infrastructure
The UK Government recently classed data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), placing them on the same level as essential sectors such as water and energy. This decision offers additional support and protection for the industry, giving reassurance to investors and underscoring the importance of data centres to the country's digital economy.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated, “Tech leaders from all over the world are seeing Britain as the best place to invest, with a thriving and stable market for data centres and AI development. Data centres power our day-to-day lives and boost innovation in growing sectors like AI.”
Strategic Location and Future Expansion
CloudHQ’s Didcot campus is strategically located near the Slough Trading Estate and a 400kV National Grid substation, which will provide substantial savings for customers connecting at transmission-level voltage. The company has also invested in a diverse fibre duct infrastructure, linking the Didcot site directly to the Slough campus, offering future growth potential on a significant scale.
Founded in 2016, CloudHQ partners with global technology firms to deliver reliable and secure power and operational infrastructure for data centres, with its headquarters based in the United States. This latest project highlights the company’s commitment to expanding its presence and operations in the UK, supporting both local employment and broader industry growth.
Register for updates — then enhance your profile in the login area, the more 'discoverable' you are — the more your skills will be in-demand.
Click here to register.
