- Massive investment: Google plans to invest $1 billion in a new data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, UK, showcasing its commitment to supporting innovation and tech-led growth in the country.
- Sustainability focus: The data centre aims for 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, with a power purchase agreement with ENGIE for offshore wind energy. Google also explores innovative heat utilization and employs air-based cooling systems.
- Job creation and local impact: The project is expected to create job opportunities during construction and operation, contributing to the local community. The data centre’s features include off-site heat recovery for nearby homes and businesses.
Google reinforces its commitment to the UK’s tech prowess with a $1 billion investment in a sustainable data centre, boosting innovation, creating jobs, and championing carbon-free energy by 2030.
Google is strengthening its investment in the UK with a massive $1 billion commitment to build a new data centre. This move reflects Google’s recognition of the importance of technical infrastructure in supporting innovation and driving tech-led growth in the country.
The data centre, located in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, will cover a sprawling 33-acre site and create job opportunities for the local community, both during construction and operation. Once completed, this investment will significantly increase compute capacity, benefiting businesses across the UK and ensuring reliable digital services for Google Cloud customers and users worldwide.
100% carbon-free energy by 2030
One noteworthy aspect of Google’s approach is its dedication to sustainable practices. The company aims to power all its data centres and campuses with carbon-free energy (CFE) around the clock by 2030. To achieve this goal, Google has entered a power purchase agreement with ENGIE, a French multinational utility company, adding 100 MW of offshore wind energy from the Moray West wind farm in Scotland to the grid. This initiative will put Google’s UK operations on track to operate at or near 90% carbon-free energy by 2025.
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Utilizing heat generated by data centres
Furthermore, Google is exploring innovative ways to utilize the heat generated by data centres. The new facility in Waltham Cross will incorporate provisions for off-site heat recovery, allowing the captured heat to be utilized by nearby homes and businesses. Alongside this, the data centre will employ an air-based cooling system, contributing to energy conservation.
Google’s commitment to sustainability has attracted companies like Rightmove, a British-born customer, to choose Google Cloud for their computing needs. Rightmove recognizes Google’s efforts to decarbonize and construct sustainable data centres as crucial in reducing the carbon impact of their digital infrastructure and aligning with their net-zero journey.
Google’s continued trust in the UK’s tech sector
This investment signifies Google’s continued dedication to the UK, a country renowned for its advancements in AI, technology, and science. It builds upon previous investments in office spaces, the launch of the Accessibility Discovery Centre, and the laying of the Grace Hopper subsea cable connecting the UK with the US and Spain. Google’s initiatives extend beyond infrastructure, with over 500 locations visited and more than 1 million people provided with free digital skills training.
The establishment of the new data centre by Google is not only a significant boost to the UK’s tech sector but also reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities. With the increasing reliance on data centres for various services, this investment will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and innovation of the digital economy.
