The sale of the South Mimms data centre site by DC01UK to US firm Equinix is the first major step in establishing one of the UK’s largest data campuses, with a projected investment value of £3.9bn to follow
The 85-acre data centre site will be renamed the Hertfordshire Campus by Equinix and offer more than two million square feet of space, as approved by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee earlier this year.
Construction is currently believed to commence in 2027, with completion projected for 2030, in three ‘big build’ phases.
DC01UK is a joint venture of Griggs Group and Chiltern Green Energy
James Craig, director of DC01UK, said: “This is a landmark moment for the UK and a powerful example of local entrepreneurship driving national innovation.
“The ambition behind the DC01UK project is extraordinary and we are delighted that the vision for this project will be taken forward by leading experts committed to delivering it to the highest standards, maintaining our ambition, realising the community benefits, and embedding themselves in the growth and future of Hertfordshire. For us, it’s a proud moment that also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we continue to progress other UK data centre development opportunities to drive further innovation and investment in this space across the UK.”
Co-director Andy Brewer added: “This deal marks a significant step forward for this world-class project and for the UK’s digital future. It was born of local ingenuity and determination and aligns closely with the government’s ambition for the UK to be a global leader in AI and advanced technology. With one of the world’s largest operators now taking our vision forward, the project is entering an exciting new phase, one that will help position the UK at the forefront of the data revolution.”
“A seismic moment for the UK’s infrastructure landscape”
Stephen Beard, global head of data centres at Knight Frank, who advised on the project, said: “This is a seismic moment for the UK’s infrastructure landscape. The scale, ambition and strategic value of this site are unmatched. It’s rare to find a location that ticks every box – power, connectivity, proximity to key markets – and this one does. Today’s announcement gives the UK a major leg up in the global AI infrastructure race.”
The deal was an influencing factor on the government’s decision to classify data centres as Critical National Infrastructure in 2024. Granting the data centre sector some of the same government security protections as energy and water is part of the government’s wider drive to make the UK a global leader in new technologies like AI.
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