At a glance
- Data Center Dynamics first reported the proposal.
- The solar farm could generate up to 1.3GW, which Data Center Dynamics said would make it the largest facility of its kind in the UK.
- Evolution Power says the project could be running by 2032 and would create 500 permanent jobs alongside "thousands" of construction roles.
Evolution Power Limited has proposed a data center of up to 1GW alongside a solar farm that could generate up to 1.3GW in Norfolk, UK. Data Center Dynamics first reported the proposal. The Longmarsh Green Energy project would span 4,695 acres across two sites outside King's Lynn.
The solar farm could generate up to 1.3GW, which Data Center Dynamics said would make it the largest facility of its kind in the UK. The data center would use closed-loop cooling to keep water use to a minimum, and the developer plans battery storage on site connected to an existing substation at Walpole.
Evolution Power says the project could be running by 2032 and would create 500 permanent jobs alongside "thousands" of construction roles. Community consultation runs until November 26, ahead of the submission of a formal planning application.
The project's size means national government would rule on it rather than local councillors. James Wild, the MP for North West Norfolk, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the development "could represent further large-scale industrialization of the landscape."
Data Center Dynamics reported that Evolution Power does not appear to have experience building data centers.
Until an application is filed, the 2032 opening date sits behind a consent process that has not begun.
Reported by the Data centers & fiber desk from Data Center Dynamics and Local Democracy Reporting Service. Published . Corrections