Colt DCS Secures £2.5bn Approval for West London Hyperscale Campus

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) has received formal planning approval to expand its Hayes Digital Park campus in West London, marking a significant milestone in the UK’s data infrastructure growth.

The £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) expansion will add three new hyperscale data centres alongside a new Innovation Hub developed in partnership with Brunel University.

This expansion will enable Colt DCS to move forward with plans to build 97MW of additional IT power, bringing the total campus capacity to 160MW. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026, with the first data centre, London 6, due to come online in early 2029.

Commenting on the approval, Xavier Matagne, Chief Real Estate Officer at Colt DCS, highlighted the project’s significance for both the nation’s digital infrastructure and the wider AI-driven economy. “This announcement marks another important milestone for the UK’s digital economy,” he said.

“Data centres are a cornerstone of digital transformation. With this expansion, we can help power innovation, support the AI revolution, and contribute to the energy transition.”

Additionally, according to Colt, this expansion reflects the company’s long-term commitment to supporting the local community as well as the UK’s infrastructure goals. The expanded campus will create over 500 permanent jobs and train more than 50 technical apprentices over a ten-year phased programme.

Local Enterprises Supported in West London

As part of its plans to grow in West London, the company will establish an Innovation Hub at the Hayes campus – a space designed to support local enterprises. The hub will provide accessible work areas and resources for tech start-ups, small manufacturers, and entrepreneurs in the community.

Students and researchers from Brunel University will gain access to the space to develop technology-led ventures and prototypes, while businesses will be able to collaborate on research and early-stage development projects.

“Our new campus in Hayes, including the Innovation Hub in partnership with Brunel University, will drive community value — from reusing heat for district heating to creating jobs, skills, and long-term investment,” Matagne added. “As one of the few operators capable of delivering new capacity in this area of London over the next decade, we’re proud to help power the UK’s future economy in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

The three new facilities at the West London campus will be powered by renewable energy through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).  Colt has secured power contracts with National Grid. Backup generators will be limited to 15 operational hours per year for testing and emergency use, with the grid serving as the primary power source.

As part of its sustainability strategy, Colt DCS will also deliver a district heating network, using waste heat to warm local businesses, facilities, and residences.