Google is investing US$1 billion in a new data center in the United Kingdom

Google has announced a $1 billion investment in a new UK data center in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. The 33-acre site, once completed, will bring Google Cloud customers reliable digital services and computing power to ensure AI innovation for users in the region and abroad.

As a pioneer in computing infrastructure, Google's data centers are among the most efficient in the world. By 2030, we have set our ambitious goal of running all of our data centers and campuses on carbon-free energy (CFE) every hour of every day, he says. Debbie Weinstein, Google's vice president and managing director of Google UK and Ireland, on the company's blog.

In support of this goal, in 2022, Google announced a power purchase agreement with ENGIE for offshore wind energy generated by the Moray West wind farm in Scotland. The deal will add 100MW of electricity to the grid and put Google's UK operations on track to run on or near 90% carbon-free energy by 2025.

In addition, it will also explore innovative ways to use the heat generated by the data centers, and the new facility will also have provisions for off-site heat recovery. Offsite heat recovery offers an energy conservation opportunity that benefits the local community, allowing the heat generated by the data center to be captured so it can be used by nearby homes and businesses. The data center is configured to deploy an air-based cooling system.

“One of the reasons UK customers like Rightmove choose Google for their cloud computing needs is our commitment to sustainability. By moving its services to Google Cloud to further its own sustainability goals, Rightmove sees Google's commitment to decarbonising and building sustainable data centres. In reducing the carbon impact of their digital infrastructure, A key element in helping them on their journey to net zero emissions,” he explains.

Google's continued investment in the UK

This investment in the Waltham Cross data center is the latest in a series of investments supporting Britain and the wider economy, and is further evidence of Google's ongoing commitment to the UK, a key country for our business and a world leader in pioneering AI technology. and science. “This announcement builds on our investment in 2022 through the $1 billion acquisition of our central St. Giles office, a 1 million square foot development in King's Cross and the launch of our Accessibility Innovation Center, which aims to catalyze the creation of accessible technology across the United Kingdom,” the executive added.

In addition, Google installed a new submarine cable – Grace Hopper – which connects the United Kingdom with the United States and Spain. “We've delivered free digital skills training to more than 1 million people in over 500 locations across the UK since 2015. Last year, we expanded our Google Digital Garage training program and added a new AI-focused curriculum to allow more. to take advantage of,” concludes Weinstein.