Global Switch has officially announced plans for a new data center in London, UK
Announced this week, the company said the five-story facility, known as London South, will offer 40MW across 27,000 sqm (290,625 sq ft).
Set to be located adjacent to Global Switch’s existing data centers in east London’s Docklands, timelines for development haven’t been shared.
The company said the OCP-compliant facility will offer densities of 3-5kW+ per sqm, with liquid cooling options available, as well as two meet-me rooms. The data center will target an annualized Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.2, has been designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, and will use HVO to fuel its backup generators.
As previously reported by DCD, Tower Hamlets Council’s Strategic Development Committee initially granted approval for the project in January 2023. First proposed back in late 2021, final planning permission was granted in November 2023.
CEO Ashley Muldoon said: “With this new addition to our London campus, Global Switch will provide existing and new customers with further expansion opportunities in yet another Tier 1 located, low latency, high-density data center solution.
"Our London Docklands campus will continue to play an essential role in delivering HPC and AI in the London market, as we grow our unique offering in 2024.”
Amendment to the planning permission granted in November includes that the site’s heat and hot water supply system shall be designed and constructed to enable a future connection to a district heating network.
Global Switch operates two other data centers in London’s Docklands – London East and London North. The company said the expansion would take the campus to 115,000 sqm (1.2 million sq ft) with 126MVA of utility power supply capacity.
Adam Eaton, Global Switch’s London executive group director, said: “In a market expected to double in size by 2025/26, Global Switch’s London South data center is ideally positioned to provide highly resilient, low PUE space for a wide variety of customers. This latest addition to our London Campus will meet the burgeoning needs of hyperscale, large enterprise, and cloud and managed services providers who are looking to house their mission-critical infrastructure.
He continued: “As well as a commitment to utilize only 100 percent renewable electricity, the data center also benefits from minimal water consumption and the potential to export heat to the local community. London South encapsulates Global Switch’s most advanced design guidelines as we continue to drive towards our target of net zero across the portfolio by 2030.”
Global Switch’s London South is separate from another data center proposal nearby. Currently the site of two office buildings, developers aim to demolish these and develop a 30-story residential building, a 36-story student residential building, a data center, and a building to provide flexible workspace, community use space, and/or a swimming pool.
Currently owned by Chinese steel giant Jiangsu Shagang Group, Global Switch has been looking for a new owner for several years. EQT has been repeatedly looking to acquire the company.
Global Switch CEO John Corcoran recently announced his retirement, with chief operating officer Ashley Muldoon taking the helm.
