Plans to build the first hyper-scale data centre in Newham have been recommended for approval with the energy produced there to be used to heat almost 13,000 homes.

IDXS Limited aims to build three buildings comprising a data centre, a plant building and an energy centre on the site of a former scrap metal recycling facility in Bidder Street, Canning Town.

The plans aim to provide a number of public benefits including exporting heat generated from the data centre which could go on to heat almost 13,000 homes, as well as opening up a walkway next to the River Lea which could be used as a new route for pedestrians and cyclists.

Newham Council’s strategic development committee is expected to back the plans at a meeting on Tuesday (October 15).

The proposed data centre overlooking the River LeaThe proposed data centre overlooking the River Lea (Image: Newham Council)

Both the data centre and the plant building would be 72.3 metres in height while the energy centre would be 32.4 metres. According to planning documents, the data centre would consist of stacked, identical floors for large data halls that would be filled with rows of server racks and plant and equipment floors.

A reception, staff café, breakout area and offices are included in the data centre building, and each data hall would be supported by cooling corridors to deal with high temperatures generated by the servers. The heat generated from this would be "reclaimed" and would be circulated back into the energy centre.

The energy centre’s purpose would be to power the data centre and recycle any wasted heat from the data centre, which could go on to heat thousands of homes nearby.

Another look at what the development could eventually look like in Canning Town if approvedAnother look at what the development could eventually look like in Canning Town if approved (Image: Newham Council)

The plant building would be the home for all security operations as well as another reception, changing facilities, water tanks, an electrical plant and generators.

In a planning statement, the developers’ agent said the plans are a "significant opportunity’" for Newham, and went on to say the borough could become a "catalyst" for the continued growth of the data sector. Once built, the development aims to initially create 130 jobs, but could go on to create 290.

To ensure the development has public benefits, Newham Council has asked IDXS to contribute £4.08million in the form of a Section 106 agreement. The money would go towards the council’s data economy programme, which is in partnership with organisations like Bloomberg, Microsoft and the Open Data Institute and aims to open up career opportunities for residents and provide them with data skills.

Some of the money would also be spent on improving Canning Town Station and the delivery of Mayer Parry Bridge, which will connect Newham and neighbouring borough Tower Hamlets and is due to open in March 2025.

The plans have been backed by the University of East London, London Design and Engineering Universal Technical College and Newham Chamber of Commerce.