Equinix, Inc., a global leader in digital infrastructure, today announced the acquisition of an 85-acre site in Hertfordshire, formerly known as DC01UK, to develop a new data centre campus: the Hertfordshire Campus. Spanning more than 2 million square feet, this project represents an investment of approximately £3.9 billion, marking Equinix’s largest financial investment in Europe to date.

The Hertfordshire Campus is expected to significantly boost the UK’s digital infrastructure, adding over 250 megawatts of compute capacity to the market. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion planned by 2030 in three major phases. The project is anticipated to generate approximately 2,500 construction jobs and over 200 permanent, highly skilled roles once operational.

Economic analysis by KPMG highlights the substantial impact of the development, estimating a contribution of up to £3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) during construction and up to £260 million annually once operational. The data centre campus is designed to support a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, life sciences, public services, financial services, manufacturing, and entertainment, aligning closely with the UK government’s ambitions for AI and digital infrastructure growth.

In addition to its technological capabilities, the Hertfordshire Campus will support local transport improvements and sustainability initiatives, maintaining open spaces and biodiversity while boosting the local economy and infrastructure.