#DataCentres to be expanded across #UK as concerns mount

Zoe Kleinman & Krystina Shveda, August 22, 2025

"The number of data centres in the UK is set to increase by almost a fifth, according to figures shared with BBC News.

"Data centres are giant warehouses full of powerful computers used to run digital services from #MovieStreaming to online banking - there are currently an estimated 477 of them in the UK.

"Construction researchers Barbour ABI have analysed planning documents and say that number is set to jump by almost 100, as the growth in artificial intelligence (AI) increases the need for processing power.

"The majority are due to be built in the next five years.

"However, there are concerns about the huge amount of energy and water the new data centres will consume.

"Some experts have warned it could drive up prices paid by consumers.

"More than half of the new data centres would be in #London and neighbouring counties.

"Many are privately funded by US #TechGiants such as #Google and #Microsoft and major investment firms.
A further nine are planned in #Wales, one in #Scotland, five in #GreaterManchester and a handful in other parts of the UK, the data shows.

"While the new data centres are mostly due for completion by 2030, the biggest single one planned would come later - a £10-billion AI data centre in #Blyth, near #Newcastle, for the American private #investment and wealth management company #BlackstoneGroup.

"It would involve building 10 giant buildings covering 540,000 square meters - the size of several large shopping centres - on the site of a former Blyth Power Station.

"Works are set to begin in 2031 and last for more than three years.

"Microsoft is planning four new data centres in the UK at a total cost of £330 million, with an estimated completion between 2027 and 2029 - two in the Leeds area, one near #Newport in Wales, and a five-storey site in #Acton, north west London.

"And Google is building two data centres, totalling £450m, spread over 400,000 sq m in north east London in the #LeeValley water system."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyr9nx0jrzo

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/GukDh

#BigTech #Datacenters #AISucks #NoisePollution #WaterIsLife #NoWaterForAI #NoNukesForAI

Inniscarra’s Historic Stone Bridge

This is the narrow bridge that crosses the River Lee near the Ballincollig Royal Gunpowder Mills.

I found out today while doing a little research that the bridge was built in 1805, replacing an older 6 arch bridge. It’s very narrow, but a survey showed that 7,000 cars cross it every day!

#BlarneyPhotographyClub #Cork #CorkHeritage #CountyCork #eveningLight #ferns #historicBridge #historicInfrastructure #InniscarraBridge #Ireland #IrishBridges #LeeValley #medievalArchitecture #Photo #Photography #riverCrossing #RiverLee #stoneBridge #twilightPhotography

#DataCentres to be expanded across #UK as concerns mount

by Zoe Kleinman & Krystina Shveda
8/14/2025

"Data centres, like this one #Google is building in #Hertfordshire, are becoming a more familiar sight across the UK
The number of data centres in the UK is set to increase by almost a fifth, according to figures shared with BBC News.

"Data centres are giant warehouses full of powerful computers used to run digital services from movie streaming to online banking - there are currently an estimated 477 of them in the UK.

"Construction researchers Barbour ABI have analysed planning documents and say that number is set to jump by almost 100, as the growth in artificial intelligence (#AI) increases the need for processing power.

"The majority are due to be built in the next five years.

"However, there are concerns about the huge amount of energy and water the new data centres will consume.

"Some experts have warned it could drive up prices paid by #consumers.
More than half of the new data centres would be in London and neighbouring counties.

"Many are privately funded by US #TechGiants such as Google and Microsoft and major #investment firms.

"A further nine are planned in Wales, one in #Scotland, five in #GreaterManchester and a handful in other parts of the UK, the data shows.

"While the new data centres are mostly due for completion by 2030, the biggest single one planned would come later - a £10-billion AI data centre in #Blyth, near #Newcastle, for the American private investment and wealth management company #Blackstone Group.

"It would involve building 10 giant buildings covering 540,000 square meters - the size of several large shopping centres - on the site of a former #BlythPowerStation.

"Works are set to begin in 2031 and last for more than three years.

"#Microsoft is planning four new data centres in the UK at a total cost of £330 million, with an estimated completion between 2027 and 2029 - two in the #Leeds area, one near Newport in #Wales, and a five-storey site in Acton, north west London.

"And Google is building two data centres, totalling £450m, spread over 400,000 sq m in north east London in the #LeeValley water system."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyr9nx0jrzo

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/GukDh

#NoNukesForAI #WaterIsLife #ElectricityUsage #WaterUsage #TechBros #Capitalism #BigTech #BigTechIsWatchingYou #Datacenters #chatbots #InvestmentFirms

Every April 1st, I actually look forward to these.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/afd/veritas-classic-double-razor

#aprilfools #leevalley

@bllgvn

I second #LeeValley. Please leave your wallet in the car the first time you go in (you wil understand when you get inside the store). It is the best #woodworking store in #Canada.

Well the #track #cycling at #leeValley was lots of fun tonight, so sad it ended the way it did - I gather a broken arm for Katy Marchant - not a nice crash to see either. Wishing a quick recovery.

One of the places on the 'honey do' list is that the wife wants to visit the new pop-up store for Lee Valley while I am on vacation. It is one of our favourite stores that has a variety of cool items for home and gardening.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/home

#leevalley

#LeeValley #WhiteWater #kayak assessment
(3/3)
Using a familiar paddle setup made the world of difference, I played it safe going straight to the 1st pool then hitting a couple of mid to lower eddies. My performance was night and day from the first. "Do another like that". I went for a duplicate run, at pool 1 was instructed to ferry across, job done, see you at the bottom. Final outcome, we both passed.
We were mentally exhausted, mission accomplished.

#LeeValley #WhiteWater #kayak assessment
(2/3)
First feature requires a strong left stroke to land and prepare for either an eddy or second feature. I got no purchase on my stroke (I blame the paddle) and capsized. First feature. My roll failed, I brought my head up too soon. Probably mild panic. It would have been a great, easy roll. Reset, take a breath and aim to just smash through to the first pool. I reached the end with no further capsizes, I switch paddles. This was a great decision.

#LeeValley #WhiteWater #kayak assessment
(1/3)
We were given a quick pre-assessment briefing.
What to do if we capsize and fail to roll? Pull your spray deck.
How do you go down the flow when not in the boat? On your back feet first, high in the water.
Off to the start, quick warm up if you want. At this stage I had noticed that the paddle I had taken to use was set to about 15 deg, rather than my more normal 45-ish deg. It was ok to paddle and I thought, what could go wrong, it’ll be fine.

As usual Lee Valley has kept their April fools product announcements tradition

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5OHBAULXpw/?igsh=MXJmcmc3ajVjY3c3OA==

#woodworking #leevalley

If we want a world with competition and choice, we need to support local and smaller shops or chains than the giants.

What’s your favourite hardware store? For me, i think it’s leevalley.com - what about you?

#leevalley #hardwareStore

did my monthly trip to LV since I needed some finishing supplies. Thankfully managed to not get distracted and walked away with only the things I went in to buy.
Thin CA glue for finishing small turnings as well as EEE Ultra Shine & Shellawax which I have not tried before.

#woodworking #woodturning #leevalley

Apparently Lee Valley sponsors reprints of articles from popular woodworking magazines and prints mini magazines like this that you can pick up for free in their store. They are 32 ( Jigs & Fixtures ) & 16 ( Outdoor Projects ) pages respectively. I had been in leevalley yesterday to spend more money and picked up these two. I have to see if there are more and if you can request for a couple to be included with your online order too or if these are only for in store shopping..

#woodworking #leevalley

REALLY excited about our first #rural #bikepacking trip as a #family!

The other day we cycled from #leevalley athletics to #TowerOfLondon, put our #bikes in the #premierinn & off we went for an evening at Tony Kitous' #KenzaRestaurant followed by the #totoroshow at #TheBarbican !

This time we'll #ride from #Bangor #northwales to #CwmIdwal using #NationalCycleNetwork route 82 & stay at #yha #hostel ! ☺️

Here's my #littleboy a few years ago on his first #cyclingtrip in #France 🥲
#striderbike