Data Centre Growth Index
This sub-index tracks the expansion of the physical infrastructure supporting AI, cloud computing and other digital services in the UK — what is operational, what is being built, and what has been approved, proposed or refused.
Baseline in developmentUnknown
Each development is held as a single unique record with its planning authority and reference, so a project reported by several sources is never counted twice. Not all data centre growth is driven by AI; this sub-index measures infrastructure, not cause.
Growth indicators
| Indicator | Current value | Reporting period | Previous | Change | Classification | Source | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB colocation data-centre capacityMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in Great Britain, as estimated by DSIT. Excludes enterprise data centres, and measures IT load rather than facility load, grid-connection capacity or campus capacity.Colocation only, so it understates the total estate. Modelled estimates, rounded. Great Britain only: Northern Ireland is excluded. | 1.6 GW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| UK AI-capable data-centre capacity requirement (2030)Forecast requirement for AI-capable data-centre capacity in the UK by 2030, as set out in the UK Compute Roadmap. This is a forecast requirement, not installed capacity.The roadmap does not define whether "AI-capable capacity" means IT load, facility load or grid-connection capacity. UK-wide, so it is not comparable with Great Britain colocation figures. | 6 GW | By 2030 (UK Compute Roadmap forecast) | — | — | Forecast | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - LondonMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the London ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 1,048 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - South EastMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the South East ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 128 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - WalesMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the Wales ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 154 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - South WestMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the South West ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 53 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - North WestMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the North West ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 52 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - EastMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the East ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 44 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - ScotlandMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the Scotland ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 30 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - North EastMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the North East ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 17 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - Yorkshire and the HumberMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the Yorkshire and the Humber ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 16 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - West MidlandsMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the West Midlands ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 15 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Colocation data-centre IT capacity - East MidlandsMaximum rated IT load of colocation data centres in the East Midlands ITL1 region.Colocation facilities only; enterprise data centres are excluded. ITL1 regions differ from the nine index regions - Slough and the Thames Valley falls within South East. | 9 MW | Autumn 2024 | — | — | Verified | Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Announced UK data centre capacityIT capacity announced, consented or under construction across UK data centre projects.Announcements are marketing documents as much as engineering ones; announced capacity regularly differs from what is eventually energised. | Data not yet available | — | — | — | Data not yet available | Operator and developer announcements | — |
Project register
Every development below is a published record with its own sources and last-verified date. Records still under review are not included in these totals.
Operational
9
Under construction
0
Approved
18
Proposed
5
Refused
1
Delayed or cancelled
0
Counts cover published records only, and are never combined across statuses: a proposed development is not added to operational capacity.
| Project | Operator | Location | Region | Status | Capacity | Capacity definition | Planning decision | Expected opening | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Redheughs Avenue data centre, South GyleType unconfirmed | — | EdinburghCity of Edinburgh Council | Scotland | Refused | 212.42 MW | Capacity definition unclear | Refused by City of Edinburgh Council; appeal lodged with the DPEA4 Feb 2026 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Amazon Web Services, Plot 3 Maylands AvenueType unconfirmed | Amazon Web Services | Hemel HempsteadDacorum Borough Council | South East England | Proposed | — | Not disclosed | — | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Atlantic Hub data centre, Maydown Road, DerryCampus: Atlantic HubType unconfirmed | Atlantic Hub Property Limited | DerryDerry City and Strabane District Council | Northern Ireland | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Granted (reserved matters)9 Oct 2024 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Cambois data centre campusHyperscale | — | CamboisNorthumberland County Council | North East and Yorkshire | Approved | 720 MW | IT load | Application permitted (outline, all matters reserved)8 May 2025 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Carlton Park Data Centre 1 & 2, NarboroughEnterprise | Santander UK Plc | NarboroughBlaby District Council | Midlands | Operational | — | Not disclosed | — | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Cobalt Data Centre Campus (Stellium)Campus: Cobalt ParkColocation | Stellium Datacenters | WallsendNorth Tyneside Council | North East and Yorkshire | Operational | 80 MW | Capacity definition unclear | Application Permitted8 May 2025 | — | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Culham AI Growth ZoneType unconfirmed | — | Culham | South East | Approved | — | Not disclosed | — | — | — |
| Data Centre Campus, Ampthill Road, BedfordType unconfirmed | — | BedfordCentral Bedfordshire Council | East of England | Proposed | — | Not disclosed | Section 35 direction granted: treated as nationally significant infrastructure requiring a Development Consent Order15 Jun 2026 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Data centre campus, Hayes Bridge and Heathrow InterchangeHyperscale | — | HayesLondon Borough of Hillingdon | London | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Approval (hybrid: Phase 1 full, Phases 2 to 4 outline)29 Oct 2025 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Data centre campus, Tudor Works, HayesColocation | — | HayesLondon Borough of Hillingdon | London | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Approval26 Apr 2022 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Data centre, former White's Reclamation Site, EcclesColocation | — | EcclesSalford City Council | North West England | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Approve with conditions23 Jul 2025 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| DC01UK, South MimmsType unconfirmed | DC01UK | South MimmsHertsmere Borough Council | South East England | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Outline planning permission granted by planning committee23 Jan 2025 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Deep Green Bradford, Listerhills RoadEdge | Deep Green Technologies | BradfordCity of Bradford Metropolitan District Council | North East and Yorkshire | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Grant subject to Unilateral Undertaking13 May 2026 | — | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Digital Realty CrawleyColocation | Digital Realty | CrawleyCrawley Borough Council | South East England | Operational | — | Not disclosed | Environmental permit issued9 Jun 2025 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Digital Realty Woking data centreColocation | Digital Realty (UK) Limited | WokingWoking Borough Council | South East England | Operational | — | Not disclosed | — | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Equinix LD8, London DocklandsColocation | Equinix | LondonLondon Borough of Tower Hamlets | London | Operational | — | Not disclosed | Environmental permit issued27 Oct 2023 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Equinix Wexham Road (former AkzoNobel site)Type unconfirmed | Equinix | SloughSlough Borough Council | Slough and the Thames Valley | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Outline planning permission granted at Planning Committee, 26 November 202526 Nov 2025 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Global Switch LondonColocation | Global Switch | LondonLondon Borough of Tower Hamlets | London | Operational | 87 MW | Capacity definition unclear | Environmental permit issued28 Jun 2019 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Haspielaw Farm, HamiltonType unconfirmed | — | HamiltonSouth Lanarkshire Council | Scotland | Proposed | — | Not disclosed | EIA screening opinion issued: environmental impact assessment required25 Jun 2025 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Imperial Park campus, Newport (Vantage, formerly Next Generation Data)Campus: Imperial ParkColocation | Vantage Data Centers (formerly Next Generation Data) | NewportNewport City Council | Wales | Operational | — | Capacity definition unclear | — | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Kao Data Harlow, Plot F (KLON-07 and KLON-08)Campus: Kao Data HarlowColocation | Kao Data | HarlowHarlow Council | South East England | Proposed | — | Not disclosed | — | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Kao Data Kenwood Point, StockportColocation | Kao Data | StockportStockport Metropolitan Borough Council | North West England | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Approved at Heatons and Reddish Area Committee4 Mar 2024 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Lanarkshire AI Growth ZoneType unconfirmed | DataVita, in partnership with CoreWeave | Airdrie | Scotland | Approved | 500 MW | Capacity definition unclear | — | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Manor Farm and land north of Wraysbury ReservoirType unconfirmed | — | SloughSlough Borough Council | Slough and the Thames Valley | Approved | 72 MW | IT load | Appeal allowed by the Secretary of State, subject to conditions10 Jun 2026 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| North East AI Growth Zone (Stargate UK)Type unconfirmed | Nscale, with NVIDIA and OpenAI | — | North East | Approved | — | Not disclosed | — | — | — |
| North Wales AI Growth ZoneType unconfirmed | — | — | Wales | Approved | — | Not disclosed | — | — | — |
| Premier Park data centre, Park RoyalType unconfirmed | — | LondonOld Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation | London | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Resolved at OPDC Planning Committee, 26 February 202626 Feb 2026 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Rover Way energy park and data centre, SplottColocation | — | CardiffCardiff Council | Wales | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Permission granted15 Apr 2025 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Skelton Grange, LeedsHyperscale | Microsoft | LeedsLeeds City Council | North East and Yorkshire | Proposed | — | Not disclosed | Resolution to grant, Leeds City Council planning committee, April 2026; decision notice not yet issued | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| South Wales AI Growth ZoneType unconfirmed | Vantage Data Centers and Microsoft | Bridgend | Wales | Approved | — | Not disclosed | — | — | — |
| Vantage Bridgend campus (former Ford engine plant)Type unconfirmed | Vantage Data Centers | BridgendBridgend County Borough Council | Wales | Approved | — | Not disclosed | Approved2 Oct 2025 | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| VIRTUS LONDON1 data centre, EnfieldColocation | Enfield DC Service Company Limited | EnfieldLondon Borough of Enfield | London | Operational | 4.3 MW | IT load | — | — | 18 Aug 2026 |
| VIRTUS Stockley Park campusCampus: Stockley ParkColocation | VIRTUS Data Centres | UxbridgeLondon Borough of Hillingdon | London | Operational | — | Not disclosed | Permit granted for London 5 and London 6; refused in part for London 7 and London 816 Nov 2021 | — | 12 Aug 2026 |
Regional breakdown
| Region | Operational | Under construction | Approved | Proposed | Operational MW | MW in development | Hyperscale | Latest decision | Completeness | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| Slough and the Thames Valley | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| South East England | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| Midlands | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| North West England | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| North East and Yorkshire | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| Scotland | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| Wales | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
| Northern Ireland | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet | — |
Regional definitions are set out on the methodology page. A dash means no verified figure has been recorded yet.
Related
- AI Electricity Demand Index — the electricity this infrastructure consumes.
- Grid Pressure Index — whether the network can connect it.
- UK data-centre tracker — individual project records.
Cite or share this index
AI Energy Intelligence, Data Centre Growth Index, accessed 27 August 2026. https://aienergyintelligence.co.uk/uk-ai-energy-index/data-centre-growth
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