Google, owned by Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), has started the construction of a new £789 million (US$1 billion) data centre in the UK, as announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The facility will be situated on a 33-acre site in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which Google acquired in October 2020.
The search engine giant emphasised that the data centre will accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) growth and ensure reliable digital services for Google Cloud customers and users in the UK.
The heat generated by the centre will also be repurposed to benefit homes and local businesses.
Google, already employing 7,000 individuals in the UK, anticipates the data centre to contribute to job growth, especially during the construction phase.
Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer, said: “This investment builds upon our Saint Giles and Kings Cross office developments, our multi-year research collaboration agreement with the University of Cambridge, and the Grace Hopper subsea cable that connects the UK with the United States and Spain.”