Data centre planned for Britishvolt site in Blyth

A site formerly earmarked to become a battery gigafactory is now likely to become the home of Europe’s largest data centre.

The private equity firm Blackstone has been picked to buy the former Britishvolt site near Blyth in Northumberland.

The proposed deal would have Blackstone buy the land for about £20m, followed by phased payments of as much as £110m once planning and power have been secured and construction completed.

Blackstone estimates that up to

1,600 jobs will be created by the creation and operation of the data centre.

Northumberland

County Council said its cabinet is set to consider the Cambois land site deal to enable the potential development of a “hyperscale datacentre campus”.

Council leader Glen Sanderson called it a “unique opportunity for Northumberland which offers a huge boost to the regeneration and renaissance of the local area”, adding: “Driving growth and jobs is a key priority for this council.”

Britishvolt originally planned to build a £3.8bn car battery factory at the site but the company fell into administration in January last year.

The Australian firm Recharge Industries took control of Britishvolt after it went into administration, but Recharge is reported to have failed to meet the payment schedule for the site (inset). Northumberland County Council has a buyback option on the land.

Blackstone owns a data centre company that constructs and operates data centres ahead of attracting a major firm such as Google, Amazon or Microsoft to take over. Blackstone has been approached for comment.