Havering datacentre to emit 1.2m tonnes of CO2 annually

A proposed datacentre in north Ockendon, East Havering, is projected to emit 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) each year once fully operational. Planning documents for the East Havering Data Centre Campus (EHDCC) indicate the development would be incompatible with the UK's net zero targets.

The development, proposed by Digital Reef, would occupy 218 hectares of green belt land. The scheme's projected electricity consumption is 2.65 billion kWh annually, a figure equivalent to the demand of more than 1 million UK households, according to Digital Reef's proposal. The developer estimates the project's total emissions over its 60-year lifespan could reach 72 million tonnes of CO2e.

Read Next in News London3 min read

London rents rise 2.2% to £2,302 a month, K&C still tops, Bexley cheapest

ONS data shows average rent across London at £2,302, a 2.2% rise, with Kensington & Chelsea at £3,596 and Bexley at £1,528, while Barnet lacks a published benchmark.

National Grid connection and emissions comparison

The EHDCC would require a significant 600 MVA connection to the National Grid, necessitating a new 400 kV substation and a 132 kV UK Power Networks facility. The full connection is anticipated by 2033. The annual emissions of 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e are equivalent to 26,795 long-haul flights from London Heathrow to New York, as calculated by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization's carbon calculator.

Donald Campbell, advocacy director at the tech justice nonprofit Foxglove, described the projected emissions as "staggering" and a "big threat to the ability to decarbonise in the UK." He also noted the potential for the datacentre to be a "big drain on important resources that are needed by homes and other businesses."

Related Borough Coverage4 min read

London Richmond Limited enters administration after house price drop

Administrators appointed as average London asking prices fall 3.1% in a year, wiping nearly £100,000 from values in some areas

Carbon offset contributions and local impact

The planning documents state that if on-site zero-carbon targets cannot be met, the developer estimates a cash-in-lieu contribution of approximately £77.6 million to Havering council's carbon offset fund. The North Ockendon Residents Association has expressed concerns about the loss of green belt land, wildlife habitats, and the environmental cost of pollution.

By 2038, the EHDCC's operational emissions alone are forecast to consume nearly 20 times Havering borough's entire carbon budget and almost 1% of the UK's total carbon budget. The first consultation period for the EHDCC closed in April, with a revised proposal expected for further public consultation in the autumn.

Councillor Keith Prince, Reform UK leader of Havering council, stated that commenting on the EHDCC would be inappropriate while the local planning authority's decision is pending.