Huge data centre and solar farm plans near King's Lynn revealed
Plans have been drawn up for a huge new data centre and one of the UK's largest solar farm's near King's Lynn in Norfolk.
Plans have been drawn up for a huge new data centre and one of the UK's largest solar farm's near King's Lynn in Norfolk.
Developers behind the Longmarsh Green Energy project said the data centre would require up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of power at any given time, while the solar farm the firm wants to build would generate up to 1.3GW.
Evolution Power Limited (EPL) said it was seeking to construct two sites covering around 4,695 acres (1,900 hectares) and the proposals could attract £25bn of investment.
While details released about the project have been limited, the solar farm could generate more power than any other currently planned for the UK.
That is just over half what the newly proposed site is said to be capable of producing.
It added that it would use a – where liquid is recirculated – rather than taking water from the mains.
EPL said one site for the project would be south of the A47 near the village of Tilney St Lawrence, with the other close to the villages of Fincham and Barton Bendish.
It said the work would create thousands of construction jobs, while there would be more than 500 on site.
A spokesperson said the project was and it had begun a consultation on the plans.
Developers behind the controversial High Grove scheme - one of the largest proposals which is also planned for rural Norfolk – say it would generate up to 720 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough for 363,000 homes.
Meanwhile the accompanying data centre would require up to 1GW of electricity at any one time.
Along with drawing on solar energy, they would be connected to the existing electricity substation at Walpole, with the company aiming to have them operational by 2031.
Such centres, which are used to store, process and transmit information, are frequently being opposed by local communities across the country, often due to environmental concerns.
EPL said it expected to formally submit its planning application next April.
What happened
Plans have been drawn up for a huge new data centre and one of the UK's largest solar farm's near King's Lynn in Norfolk.
Developers behind the Longmarsh Green Energy project said the data centre would require up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of power at any given time, while the solar farm the firm wants to build would generate up to 1.3GW.
Evolution Power Limited (EPL) said it was seeking to construct two sites covering around 4,695 acres (1,900 hectares) and the proposals could attract £25bn of investment.
What changed
While details released about the project have been limited, the solar farm could generate more power than any other currently planned for the UK.
That is just over half what the newly proposed site is said to be capable of producing.
It added that it would use a – where liquid is recirculated – rather than taking water from the mains.
Who is affected
EPL said one site for the project would be south of the A47 near the village of Tilney St Lawrence, with the other close to the villages of Fincham and Barton Bendish.
It said the work would create thousands of construction jobs, while there would be more than 500 on site.
Why it matters
A spokesperson said the project was and it had begun a consultation on the plans.
Developers behind the controversial High Grove scheme - one of the largest proposals which is also planned for rural Norfolk – say it would generate up to 720 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough for 363,000 homes.
Technical details
Meanwhile the accompanying data centre would require up to 1GW of electricity at any one time.
Along with drawing on solar energy, they would be connected to the existing electricity substation at Walpole, with the company aiming to have them operational by 2031.
Such centres, which are used to store, process and transmit information, are frequently being opposed by local communities across the country, often due to environmental concerns.
Response
EPL said it expected to formally submit its planning application next April.
Because of its scale, it will be deemed a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), which means final say will rest with the government rather than the local council.
What security teams should do
Other major schemes, such as High Grove, have also been classed as NSIPs.
Referring to that and projects including a large wind farm also planned for the area, North West Norfolk Conservative MP James Wild said the new plan .
Attribution
BBC News: Plans have been drawn up for a huge new data centre and one of the UK's largest solar farm's near King's Lynn in Norfolk.