The largest new artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Europe will be built in Cambois, North-East England, following support from the Coal Authority’s permitting team.

The Coal Authority, which owns the majority of unworked coal in the UK, including former coal mines, is a non-departmental public body which is sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

As the site is located on the coalfield, the Coal Authority said it has supported the developers with site inspections to enable a permit that allows developers to carry out multiple types of ground investigations, including gas and groundwater monitoring and sampling.

These inspections provide reassurance that controls are in place to ensure public safety.
The data centre is being developed by investment management firm Blackstone and will be built by Renaissance Land Limited.

The Coal Authority said it expects the data centre to create around 1600 jobs and generate investments worth billions of pounds.

Riwilo Masulani, principal permitting manager at the Coal Authority, said that the organisation has been working to streamline processes for developers so that developments on coalfields can happen efficiently and safely.

“To reflect these changes we have updated our permitting terms and conditions to make the process much simpler,” he added. “This includes a capped limit on indemnity, reduced insurance requirements and recognised arrangements for public sector bodies who are required to comply with HM Treasury guidelines.”

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