Blackpool data centre, Elite UK REIT, p Elite UK REIT

The data centre would benefit from Blackpool's superfast internet speeds. Credit: Elite UK REIT

Singapore cash to fund Blackpool data centre

Elite UK REIT has submitted a planning application to build an 80MW facility next to an office campus at Peel Park used by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The 39-acre Blackpool site will be redeveloped into a “cutting-edge data centre campus”, according to the Singapore real estate investment trust.

Joshua Liaw, chief executive at Elite UK REIT Management, said: “Following the expansion of the REIT’s investment mandate in April 2024, we have identified several high-yield assets within our portfolio for strategic repositioning.

“One key asset is Peel Park, which we believe has significant potential to be transformed into a cutting-edge data centre campus. Its strategic location offers low latency and reduced emissions, making it highly attractive to data centre operators and end-users.”

The DWP will remain in operation within the offices at Peel Park with the data centre being constructed next door.

Elite UK REIT chose the site due to its connectivity to the North Atlantic Loop, a subsea fibre optic cable that connects the USA, UK, and Ireland and provide extremely fast and reliable internet speeds.

The cable is expected to make Blackpool more attractive to tech companies and data centre operators.

Within the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, the council is progressing a scheme known as Silicon Sands – a 40-acre data centre cluster.

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This is good news! The only barrier to more data centres will be reliable and cheap electricity- the governments net zero agenda is the opposite to these requirements

By Stuart wood

@October 08, 2024 at 11:11 am
By Stuart wood

If you want reliable energy, we need to produce even more of this here ie wind, tidal and nuclear and shed any reliance on markets vulnerable to conflict and Putin. Energy security is important – and cheaper in the long term in a number of ways, not just monetary.

By Rye

To Rye
Wind, solar and especially tidal are not as cheap as gas – gas is £50-60 per mwh and wind especially floating off shore wind is over £200, since the start of the the net zero drive 10 years ago our domestic and industrial electricity prices have become the most expensive in the developed world – for example electricity in most states across the USA is four times cheaper than the whole of the U.K.
BTW – fracking gas would generate electricity at sub £20 per MWH and it’s we have enough for 100 years

By Stuart wood

Wind and tidal are inherently not reliable. Wind power can turn on six pence and tidal has massive slack times – all renewable power is pretty much useless for a stable grid

By Stuart wood

Nuclear has surely got to be a part of a sustainable grid mixed with renewables and energy storage. Its one of the least polluting and of all the fossil fuel generators, we just need more. Then when fusion comes on line, it can take the place of traditional nuclear. We need power and renewables cannot offer that stable supply we all count on.

By Rob

@October 09, 2024 at 1:33 pm
By Rob

Spot on

By Rye

It’s not in Blackpool, it’s in Fylde Borough, there’s a clue in the planning authority.

By Gabby

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