(qlmbusinessnews.com Wed. 17th April, 2024) London, UK —
“Economic Reboot: Northumberland Ditches Battery Plant Plans for Data Centre”
Plans for a massive battery plant have been scrapped after more than three years of uncertainty, dealing a blow to hopes of economic revitalization in Cambois, Northumberland.
Britishvolt, the company behind the proposed £3.8 billion car battery factory, fell into administration in January last year, leaving the ambitious project in limbo. The collapse dashed expectations of 3,000 new jobs promised for the region with the construction of the gigafactory.
Now, Northumberland County Council is exploring a different path for the site, considering the development of a computer data centre instead. Council leader Glen Sanderson revealed that proceeds from the site's sale would be directed towards economic projects, particularly those linked to the recently reopened Northumberland Line.
The decision to pivot from battery manufacturing to data centre construction comes after Australian firm Recharge Industries took control of Britishvolt following its administration.
Under the proposed plans, private equity firm Blackstone could inject up to £110 million into the project, potentially unlocking an influx of up to £10 billion in inward investment. The development is projected to create over 1,600 direct jobs and an additional 2,700 indirect jobs.
Mr. Sanderson emphasized the importance of driving growth and job creation, stating that the council's focus remains on the regeneration of Cambois.
Blackstone intends to establish a hyperscale data centre campus on the site, catering to the growing demand for digital infrastructure. These data centres, used by tech giants like Google, IBM, and Microsoft, are expected to significantly boost the local economy.
While the shift from a gigafactory to a data centre represents a change in direction, it offers renewed hope for economic prosperity in the region. Councillor Scott Dickinson, Labour Group Leader at Northumberland County Council, acknowledged the disappointment over the failed gigafactory project but expressed optimism about the potential of the new proposal. He pledged support for the initiative, emphasizing the community's determination to ensure its success.
The plans are set to be reviewed at a council meeting on 23 April, with further details expected to emerge regarding the operational specifics of the data centre.
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