DC01UK aims to build a massive data centre in Hertfordshire, requiring £4 billion in funding.
- The project director, James Craig, hopes to partner with US tech giants like Google, Amazon, or Microsoft.
- Craig admits no funding partner has been secured yet, but discussions are ongoing.
- Griggs, the developer, plans to convert local properties into data centres and innovation hubs.
- The UK government has expressed support, viewing it as a boost to the tech sector and local economy.
James Craig, the director of DC01UK, has laid out ambitious plans to develop a colossal data centre in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, at a projected cost of £4 billion. During a recent South Mimms & Ridge Parish Council meeting, Craig discussed the project’s funding needs, emphasising the intention to partner with a significant US technology company.
Expressing confidence, Craig named tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google as potential partners to supply the necessary capital. However, Craig also admitted that a formal partnership has yet to be established, indicating that while conversations are underway, no agreements have been reached. His humorous remark that “Google and Jeffrey Bezos have more money than God” highlights the scale and aspirations of the project.
In preparation for the development, Griggs, the property firm involved with DC01UK, has acquired nearby properties, including a hotel and additional land, for transformation into data centres. Furthermore, the firm has collaborated with Chiltern Green Energy to ensure a stable power supply, which is critical to the project’s success.
Griggs has also pledged to convert a local pub into an ‘innovation hub’, envisioned as a community resource where local residents and schoolchildren can learn new skills. The plan includes facilities like a studio, video editing suite, and coding suite, aimed at fostering community engagement and education.
The initiative has received endorsement from the UK government, which recently changed data centre regulations to encourage sector growth. The government welcomes the project as a validation of its efforts to promote technological advancement and share economic benefits within the community.
The DC01UK project represents a significant potential boost to Hertfordshire’s economy, contingent upon securing a Big Tech funding partner.
