The approval of a major artificial intelligence data centre campus represents a “once-in-a-generation investment opportunity” after plans for one of the largest developments of its kind in the U.K. were approved.
Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, made the comments after councillors approved proposals for the Elsham Tech Park data centre campus.
The development will be built next to Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate and is expected to attract up to £10 billion in investment.
According to North Lincolnshire Council, the project could create about 900 long-term highly skilled jobs once operational, while also generating thousands of construction roles during the building phase.
The facility would become one of the largest artificial intelligence data centre campuses proposed in the U.K., delivering up to 1GW of computing capacity once completed.
The site would cover about 435 acres of agricultural land and include multiple large-scale buildings designed to house data processing infrastructure.
Rob said the scale of the project was significant for the area.
He added: “The numbers attached to this project are eye-watering… but what really matters is what it means for residents in North Lincolnshire.”
Rob added: “This is a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity.”
The proposed development includes an energy centre that will support the operation of the data campus.
According to the BBC, planning documents show the energy centre will consist of up to 15 individual data centre buildings.
The facility is expected to produce up to 49.9MW of electricity each year to support the energy demands of the campus.
Plans also include a greenhouse complex that will use excess heat generated by the cooling systems of the data centre buildings.
The recovered heat would be used to support agricultural production, allowing crops to be grown using energy that would otherwise be lost during the cooling process.
Rob said the council believed the project would strengthen the local economy and attract further investment.
He said: “North Lincolnshire remains a place where major industries choose to invest, grow and create jobs.”
It’s understood the project will be developed over several phases.
Officials say the long development timeline means thousands of jobs could be created during the construction phase as infrastructure and buildings are built across the large site.
