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£2.5 billion for West London: New innovation center is being built!
Colt DCS to invest £2.5bn in west London. Three new data centers create jobs and strengthen the digital economy.
£2.5 billion for West London: New innovation center is being built!
In a significant move for the UK's digital landscape, Colt Data Center Services (Colt DCS) has received approval from Hillingdon Council to expand its Hayes Digital Park campus in west London. This development is made possible by an impressive £2.5 billion investment targeted at the UK AI economy. PR Newswire reports that the expansion will see the construction of three new hyperscale data centers (London 6, 7 and 8) as well as an innovation center.
These data centers will not only provide a significant increase in available IT power by 97 MW to a total of 160 MW, but will also be powered by 100% renewable energy. Electricity will be supplied via a power purchase agreement (PPA), with high-voltage supply expected to be available by October 2027. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-2026 and the first data center (London 6) will be operational in early 2029.
Create jobs and training positions
The project will also create over 500 permanent jobs, which is welcome news for the region. In addition, more than 50 technical trainees are being trained as part of a ten-year construction program. This shows that Colt DCS is investing not only in technologies, but also in the people who will work in these areas.
Another highlight of the expansion is the Innovation Center, which is being built in partnership with Brunel University. This center will serve as a meeting point and incubator for digital start-ups and promotes economic synergy between companies and students. AECOM was commissioned to develop the designs to create a flexible facility for industrial uses and local events. This is an important step in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.
Sustainability and local development
A district heating network is being set up to make sustainable use of the waste heat from the data centers. In addition, the emergency generators may be operated for a maximum of 15 hours per year, as the data centers are supplied directly by the national power grid. These are all measures designed to help support the digital economy while driving the UK's energy transition.
Hillingdon Council highlights the importance of the Innovation Hub, which not only supports economic growth but also creates development opportunities for local businesses. This sets the course for a successful future in the technology and innovation sector, which should sustainably advance both the region and the entire country.
It appears we have a good deal here for the future of the UK economy and workforce. The progress expected from this enlargement could serve as a model for similar developments across Europe.