UK Grid, the Manchester-based data centre provider, has made its boldest move yet in its programme to supply businesses in the UK with carbon neutral data centre space, with the launch of a 27,000 sq ft site, Parkway 2.
The introduction of the site will bring online over 50,000 sq ft of carbon neutral data centre space, and will ensure that UK Grid has the largest portfolio of data centre capacity in the North of England. In addition, 15 new jobs will be created to help manage the sites and help meet customer needs.
The new Parkway 2 site, which is also carrier neutral, with dark fibre being supplied by SSE and Geo ,contains all of the low energy consumption technology that has made UK Grid’s primary Synergy House site at Manchester Science Parks a benchmark of quality for the data centre sector, and has been such a success for customers. Reducing energy consumption is the largest challenge facing data centres, and UK Grid has led the sector with its use of energy saving technology such as cold aisle containment.
In addition to energy reducing technology, UK Grid will be offsetting its carbon use at the Parkway 2 site by launching sustainable forestry on its farm in Scotland, through its offshoot business UK Grid Renewables.
Rob Garbutt, CEO at UK Grid, commented: “The launch of the Parkway 2 site is a proud moment for UK Grid, as it is what we have been working towards for a number of years. Not only have we created the largest portfolio of data centre space in the North, but all of the capacity is carbon neutral. This is something no other company in our sector can provide, and offers our clients and customers an environmentally sound product.
“We are targeting a mix of SMEs and corporate businesses who are looking for data centre space, and the site will be in full operation by February 2011. However, customers are already buying space and our sales team has been run off their feet which is a fantastic sign.”
Neil Hutchings, Managing Director of SSE Telecoms, commented: "The extension of the high capacity SSE Telecoms fibre network into the new UK Grid Parkway 2 data centre complements our strategy of targeting key locations within the North West region. High performance, low latency connectivity is critical for data centre operators and their customers. We are pleased to provide UK Grid with access to our regional and national connectivity solutions."
The Parkway 2 site launch is the latest development in a busy year for the company. Only six years old as a business, UK Grid is currently undergoing expansion of its existing sites in Manchester and London, has committed to invest in green technology including wind farms over the coming years. Most recently, the business was named in the top 10 fastest growing technology businesses in the UK, in the Deloitte Fast50, coming second overall in the North of England.
