Data Centres
What are Data Centres?
Data centres are specialized facilities designed to house computer systems, storage, and telecommunications equipment that store and manage vast amounts of digital information. As businesses increasingly rely on cloud-based services and the demand for artificial intelligence grows, data centers play a crucial role in supporting these technologies. The rapid development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) has ramped up demand for capacity.
Aside from land, the prime requirements of data centres are large amounts of power and a fast fibre internet connection. They also need large volumes of water for cooling.
Some advisers suggest that farmland sites could have an advantage over others as they could offer better physical security for data centres. What is also interesting is farms that already have solar projects which would then offer energy to power the data centre.
What makes an ideal Data Centre site?
Typically 8-20ha, although far larger developments are underway
Level ground not prone to flooding
Fibre connection – the size of many data centre projects justifies bringing fibre in if it is not in place
Most will require significant grid connection, but the ability to source power locally from renewable sources ticks planning and sustainability boxes
Ideally near a road where access for construction traffic won’t be an issue
Why consider Data Centres?
For landowners, selling land to a company for a data centre project could present a highly viable payment option. Unlike leasing arrangements for solar or wind farms, where landowners receive ongoing payments, a data centre project could involve a substantial one-time payment for the sale of the land.
This one-off sum could provide landowners with a significant financial gain, while also transforming their property into a critical infrastructure asset supporting the digital economy.