QTS 'committed' to data centre project in Northumberland after OpenAI pauses project that includes new data centre in North Tyneside
The company behind the £10billion Cambois Data Centre initiative in Northumberland has reassured residents in the county that it “remains committed to delivering” the project.
The statement from QTS, a Blackstone-owned digital infrastructure leader in designing, building and operating sustainable data centres, comes after ChatGPT developer OpenAI announced that it is pausing a multi-billion pound project aimed at boosting AI infrastructure, which includes a proposed data centre at Cobalt Park in North Tyneside.
The Stargate UK initiative also includes making thousands of powerful chips for AI development available as part of a partnership with tech firms Nvidia and Nscale.
OpenAI said in its announcement that the plans were being put on hold until the “right conditions such as regulation and the cost of energy enable long-term infrastructure investment” allow the initiative to move forward.
In December, Northumberland County Council’s Strategic Planning Committee approved an application by QTS to construct the first two of up to 10 data centre buildings for the site in Cambois.
The planned full scheme is to create a data centre campus totalling up to 540,000 square metres, along with other associated works and structures.
The statement from QTS is as follows: “QTS remains committed to delivering our Cambois Data Centre project in Northumberland.
“We have made significant progress on site since we announced its launch, having worked collaboratively with the local community and Northumberland County Council.
“Since receiving planning approval late last year, we have started preparing the site for development and this spring, we will install piling foundations for the first data centre building.
“We’re deeply committed to being a good neighbour where we live, work and operate.
“In Cambois, we are collaborating closely with local partners to support causes that matter to the wider community, including local charities and education providers, with a full programme of upcoming initiatives.”
Council Leader Glen Sanderson said: “We want to reassure residents, businesses and investors to Northumberland that QTS remain firmly committed to the data centre project in Cambois.
“Whilst it is disappointing to hear the news coming from OpenAI that their investments are on hold, this is not something that affects the work we are doing here in Northumberland.”