Al data centre could provide £1.6bn boost

DEVELOPMENT COULD BRING UP TO 1,000 JOBS

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

A MAJOR AI data centre proposed in North Lincolnshire could provide a £1.6-£2.1bn boost to the UK during its construction period alone.

A formal planning application has now been made to develop an “AI data centre campus” on 176 hectares of land adjacent to Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate. The area is currently made up of nine agricultural fields.

Grimsby Live has previously reported on Elsham Wolds data centre plans emerging. The outline application now submitted suggests it could comprise up to 15 individual data centre buildings, as well as a greenhouse complex, and energy centre.

It is estimated, when developed, the AI data centre campus would employ directly between 600 and 1,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. But taking account of supply chain and multiplier effects, it could indirectly support another 1,800 to 2,800 FTE jobs in the Humber and Greater Lincolnshire area.