Planned data centre could create up to 1,000 jobs

A significant development is proposed in North Lincolnshire that promises to bring substantial economic benefits and employment opportunities to the region. The plan involves constructing a large artificial intelligence data centre near the Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate, situated alongside the A15 dual carriageway. This ambitious project is set to cover approximately 435 acres of agricultural land, which is a considerable area equivalent to hundreds of football fields. The developers estimate that the data centre could create up to 1,000 permanent jobs once operational, providing a major boost to the local job market.

The construction phase of the data centre is expected to span a decade, during which time it will generate between 2,600 and 3,600 jobs annually, both on-site and in supporting industries. The total investment required for the project is estimated to be between £5. 5 billion and £9 billion, excluding the cost of the computing hardware itself. The outline planning application reveals that the facility could consist of up to 15 individual data centre buildings, alongside a greenhouse complex and an energy centre designed to support the site's power needs.

The energy centre is planned to produce up to 49. 9 megawatts of electricity annually, which will be used to power the data centre operations. Adjacent to this, a greenhouse complex will utilize waste heat generated from cooling the data centre buildings to cultivate agricultural produce, primarily tomatoes. The greenhouse is projected to yield approximately 4,728 tonnes of tomatoes each year and support around 64 jobs both on and off-site. Additional amenities such as a creche, café, gym, and a small shop will be available to workers, not only at the new data centre but also at the existing industrial estate nearby. The local council is currently inviting public comments on the planning application until June 26, reflecting the community's involvement in this transformative project.