Tritax Management is joining forces with global energy giants EDF and Holtec International to develop a 1 gigawatt data centre at a former Nottinghamshire power station.
The plans, announced ahead of Donald Trump's state visit to the UK this week, feature advanced data centres on the circa 900-acre site in Cottam which will be powered by Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular reactors.
The partners say the project could transform one of the UK’s "Megawatt Valley" sites into a hub for clean energy and new investment opportunities, with existing grid connections and critical infrastructure helping to reduce development costs and timelines.
Feasibility studies and early-stage investment discussions are underway, with Holtec International and EDF UK engaged with relevant parties in UK and US governments, including Great British Energy – Nuclear and The National Wealth Fund.
The 1GW data centre project is targeted to come online by the end of the decade and will form part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, submitted as an AI Growth Zone to the UK government.
It will initially have a significant contribution from renewable generation, with the SMR element becoming operational in the 2030s.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said in a statement: "Small modular reactors will play a key role in our future clean energy mix, with Holtec and EDF’s proposed development at the old coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire demonstrating the transition to clean power in action, and how this can power industries of the future.
"By working with the US, we will reap the benefits of this golden age of nuclear, powering British homes with clean, homegrown energy, delivering well-paid skilled jobs and getting energy bills down for good."
Tritax Management chief executive James Dunlop added: "The Cottam project is another example of the collaboration between EDF and Tritax to deliver projects of scale to accelerate the development of a substantial cluster of data centres.
"This development showcases how Government and the private sector can work together to deliver best in class low carbon energy generation to enhance the UK’s critical national infrastructure."
Tritax's Cottam project is expected to create thousands of high-skilled manufacturing and construction jobs, as well as long-term roles in operations to the benefit of the local community. It is also said it will enable foreign direct investment into the UK, including into nuclear fuel fabrication and services by Framatome and turbine manufacture by Arabelle Solutions.
Mayor Claire Ward, East Midlands Combined County Authority, added: "By bringing together advanced nuclear technology with the fast-growing digital economy, it will create thousands of high-quality jobs in construction, manufacturing and operations.
"It builds on our region’s proud energy heritage and, as part of the Trent Valley Supercluster, ensures sites like Cottam remain at the forefront of clean energy and innovation for decades to come.
"The East Midlands is already home to world-class engineering, manufacturing and energy expertise. This investment will not only deliver long-term skilled employment and attract new supply chains, but it also underlines our wider ambition for the Supercluster to be a magnet for research, inward investment and technological leadership.
"It is a powerful demonstration of how the East Midlands can lead the UK in clean energy, advanced technology and economic growth."