Microsoft's former UK HQ to become £200m data centre
Plans have been submitted to transform Microsoft's former UK headquarters into a £200 million data centre. Property owner Mapeley, which acquired the site in 2005, has proposed demolishing three office buildings at Thames Valley Park in Earley to make way for the new facility. The main structures would reach up to 30.5 meters (100 feet) high, comparable to a 10-story apartment block.
The data centre would include on-site power generation equipment, backup generators, and office space. According to planning documents, the completed facility could require up to 110MW of electricity, though only 1.8MW of National Grid capacity is currently available. Developers suggest using natural gas for on-site electricity generation until the local grid is upgraded. They also propose utilizing the data centre's heat to supply a future district heating network in Reading, potentially benefiting nearby institutions like the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading.
The project has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Concerns have been raised about noise, heat generation, carbon emissions, wildlife impact, and the site's proximity to Thames Valley Park Nature Reserve. However, a biodiversity assessment included with the application claims the development would achieve a net gain of over 22%, surpassing the government's 10% requirement. The data centre is expected to create up to 65 jobs once operational.
Despite a significant reduction in parking spaces from 1,092 to 72, developers assert that the data centre would result in about 1,700 fewer daily vehicle movements compared to the site's previous office use. Microsoft is scheduled to relocate to the existing HERE building, also in Thames Valley Park, by the end of 2027.