Google, a cornerstone of the UK’s digital landscape, reinforces its commitment to innovation and technological growth. With a substantial investment of $1 billion, Google is set to establish a cutting-edge data center in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. This strategic move generates employment opportunities for the local community and bolsters the nation’s technical infrastructure. The facility’s robust compute capacity aims to catalyze AI innovation, empowering businesses and fostering reliable digital services for Google Cloud customers, ensuring a seamless experience for users in the UK and globally.
Google is making strides toward sustainability by setting an ambitious goal to run all its data centers and campuses on carbon-free energy (CFE) every hour of every day by 2030. In 2022, Google entered into a power purchase agreement with ENGIE for offshore wind energy from the Moray West wind farm in Scotland, contributing 100 MW to the grid. This move will bring Google’s UK operations to around 90% carbon-free energy by 2025.
Moreover, Google is exploring innovative ways to utilize the heat produced by data centers. The new facility will incorporate provisions for off-site heat recovery, allowing the captured heat to benefit nearby homes and businesses. This commitment to sustainability aligns with Google’s efforts to decarbonize and build environmentally friendly data centers, attracting customers like Rightmove who prioritize sustainability in their digital infrastructure.
Google’s sustained commitment to the UK is evident through its continued investment, exemplified today by the focus on the Waltham Cross data center. These ongoing investments reflect the company’s support for Brits and the broader economy, showcasing Google’s dedication to the UK as a key country for its business and a global leader in AI, technology, and science.
The recent announcement builds upon significant investments, including the $1 billion acquisition of the Central Saint Giles office in 2022, the development of a 1 million sq ft. space in King’s Cross, and the establishment of the Accessibility Discovery Centre. The latter is designed to stimulate the creation of accessible technology throughout the UK.
In addition to office initiatives, Google laid the Grace Hopper subsea cable in 2021, connecting the United Kingdom with the United States and Spain. Since 2015, the company has reached over 500 locations across the UK, providing more than 1 million free digital skills training individuals. In the past year, Google expanded its Google Digital Garage training program to encompass a new AI-focused curriculum, enabling more Brits to harness the opportunities arising from this transformative technology.
FAQs
1. How will the Waltham Cross data center benefit the local community?
The construction and operation of the 33-acre Waltham Cross site will create both construction and technical jobs, contributing to economic growth in the local community.
2. What is Google’s commitment to carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030?
As a pioneer in computing infrastructure, Google aims to run all its data centers and campuses on carbon-free energy every hour of every day by 2030. This commitment aligns with Google’s efforts to be environmentally responsible.
3. How is Google working towards carbon-free energy in the UK?
In 2022, Google announced a power purchase agreement with ENGIE for offshore wind energy from the Moray West wind farm in Scotland. This agreement will add 100 MW of energy to the grid, putting Google’s UK operations on track to operate at or near 90% carbon-free energy by 2025.
4. What innovative measures are being taken for sustainability in the Waltham Cross data center?
The new facility will explore off-site heat recovery, allowing the captured heat generated by the data center to benefit nearby homes and businesses. The center will also deploy an air-based cooling system to enhance energy efficiency.
5. How does Google’s commitment to sustainability impact its business relationships, such as with Rightmove?
Google’s sustainability commitment is crucial for businesses like Rightmove, which choose Google for their cloud computing needs. The shared commitment to decarbonize and build sustainable data centers aligns with the broader goal of reducing the carbon impact of digital infrastructure.
6. How does this investment in Waltham Cross align with Google’s overall commitment to the UK?
The Waltham Cross data center investment is part of a series of ongoing investments showcasing Google’s commitment to the UK as a key country for its business. This commitment extends to various initiatives, including office investments, subsea cable projects, and digital skills training programs across the UK.
7. What is the significance of the Accessibility Discovery Centre mentioned in the announcement?
The Accessibility Discovery Centre, launched by Google, aims to stimulate the creation of accessible technology for the entire UK. This initiative aligns with Google’s broader efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility in technology.
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