AI Data Centre
A £10bn investment in a new artificial intelligence data centre in Blyth, Northumberland, will create around 4,000 jobs, according to the government. The site is set to become one of Europe’s largest AI data centres.
Private equity giant Blackstone acquired the land earlier this year, following the collapse of Britishvolt, which had planned to build an electric car battery factory there. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the investment, calling it a “huge vote of confidence in the UK” and evidence that Britain is back as a “major player on the global stage.”
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The data centre plans were first revealed in April, prior to Sir Keir’s election. Northumberland County Council official Richard Wearmouth had earlier said the project would position north-east England “at the heart of the AI revolution.”
The project will create around 1,200 construction jobs, and an additional 2,700 related positions, the government confirmed. Previously, Britishvolt’s car factory plans had promised to generate about 8,000 jobs.
Construction of the data centre is slated to begin next year. Blackstone head Jon Gray emphasized the firm’s commitment to Britain, announcing £110m for a regional fund dedicated to skills training and transport infrastructure.
