Google has announced a $1 billion investment, building a massive data center just outside London.
This latest move fuels Google’s growing presence in the UK and aims to meet the region’s surging demand for internet services.
According to reports by Reuters, “The new data center will be located on a 33-acre site in Waltham Cross, about 15 miles north of central London. Google purchased the land in 2020, laying the groundwork for this significant development.”
The British government, eager for investment to bolster new infrastructure, especially in tech and Artificial Intelligence (AI), hailed the tech giant’s move as a “huge vote of confidence” in the UK. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised the investment.
This isn’t Google’s first major investment in the UK. In 2022, they purchased a $1 billion office building near London’s Covent Garden and are constructing another site in King’s Cross, housing both offices and their AI company DeepMind.
Just weeks ago, Microsoft revealed plans to invest a whopping £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in Britain over three years. This includes expanding their data center capacity to support future AI services.
Alphabet Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ruth Porat highlighted how the new data center will benefit both businesses and the community stating, “It will provide crucial computing power for UK companies while also creating construction and technical jobs.”
Google also noted that they are also considering about sustainability. The waste heat generated will be used for energy conservation, offering a valuable resource to the local community.