Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) has received planning approval from Hillingdon Council to expand its Hayes Digital Park campus in West London — a £2.5 billion investment that marks one of the UK’s most ambitious data infrastructure projects to date.
The plan includes three new hyperscale data centres — London 6, 7, and 8 — and an Innovation Hub in partnership with Brunel University, positioning Hayes as a key engine in the UK’s growing AI-driven digital economy.
The expansion will add 97 megawatts (MW) of IT power capacity, bringing the campus total to 160MW. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026, with the first site, London 6, going live by early 2029.
When completed, the project will create over 500 permanent jobs and train more than 50 technical apprentices over a decade-long build programme — a strong signal of the growing link between data infrastructure, workforce development, and sustainable innovation.
“Data centres are a cornerstone of digital transformation,” said Xavier Matagne, Chief Real Estate Officer at Colt DCS. “With this expansion, we can help power innovation, support the AI revolution, and contribute to the energy transition.”
100% Renewable Power and a Smarter Energy Model
Each of the new data centres will be powered entirely by renewable energy through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with National Grid. Colt DCS has already secured high-voltage power contracts, with a new grid connection expected by October 2027.
In a move that sets a sustainability benchmark for the industry, Colt DCS will introduce a district heating network that reuses waste heat from the data centres to provide clean heating for nearby homes, businesses, and community spaces.
Additionally, backup generators will be tightly regulated — limited to a maximum of 15 hours of operation per year — reinforcing the company’s commitment to low-carbon operations.
The Innovation Hub: A New Model for Community-Centered Digital Growth
Beyond its hyperscale footprint, Colt DCS is investing in local innovation through a dedicated Innovation Hub, developed in partnership with Brunel University and designed by AECOM.
The hub will serve as a co-working and incubation space for digital start-ups and light-industrial businesses, encouraging collaboration between academia, entrepreneurs, and industry. Students from Brunel University will be able to use the space to develop tech-led ventures and prototype solutions for the digital and AI economy.
The facility will also host cultural and community events — from technology showcases to art, music, and film programs — reinforcing the project’s social value in the surrounding Hayes community.
“Our new campus, including the Innovation Hub, will drive community value — from reusing heat for district heating to creating jobs and skills,” Matagne added. “We’re proud to help power the UK’s future economy in a sustainable and inclusive way.”
A Win for West London’s Digital Economy
Local government leaders welcomed the project as a catalyst for growth and innovation in the borough.
“Hillingdon is open for business,” said Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth. “The Innovation Hub will help equip residents and smaller local businesses with the right skills, affordable workspaces, and opportunities to thrive. Hayes is playing a leading role in shaping London’s digital economy.”
The expansion underscores the UK’s accelerating investment in AI-ready digital infrastructure. With national AI adoption rising and data demand soaring, Colt DCS is positioning itself as a critical player in enabling hyperscale capacity — all while aligning with the country’s net-zero and industrial strategy goals.
As the AI boom fuels an unprecedented need for compute and connectivity, Colt’s Hayes expansion could serve as a model for green, scalable data infrastructure that benefits both industry and community.
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