Google has confirmed a two-year, £5 billion investment in the UK that will cover capital spending, research, development and engineering. The main project of this plan is a new data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, which was officially opened by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Google said the investment is designed to meet growing demand for its services such as Cloud, Workspace, Search and Maps. More than 250 companies, most of them local, took part in the building work.
“With today’s announcement, Google is deepening our roots in the UK and helping support Great Britain’s potential with AI to add £400 billion to the economy by 2030 while also enhancing critical social services. said Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer, Alphabet and Google.
The announcement came just before US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, where he is expected to finalise a technology deal with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Google’s timing underlines its interest in the British market and the rising demand for artificial intelligence services across the country.
How Many Jobs Will This Create?
Google projects that its UK investment will create 8,250 jobs a year across businesses. These jobs will come through the need for AI adoption, engineering, data management and supporting services. The company said its research division DeepMind, which is working on science and healthcare projects, is also part of the investment.
Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer said: “Google’s £5bn investment is a powerful vote of confidence in the UK economy and the strength of our partnership with the US, creating jobs and economic growth for years to come.
“This government is reversing decades of underinvestment that has held us back for too long, by slashing burdensome red tape, delivering bold reforms of the planning system and investing in better tech to unlock better jobs and opportunities. Through our Plan for Change we are building an economy that works for, and rewards, working people.”
[skynews[Over the last decade, Google has already trained more than 1 million people in Britain with digital skills. The firm is also part of an industry group set up in July that plans to train 7.5 million people in AI skills by 2030. In Hertfordshire, the company has launched a Community Fund managed by Broxbourne Council to support local growth, while charities such as CHEXS and SPACE Hertfordshire will receive direct support for employment services.
What About Energy And The Environment?
Google stressed that the Waltham Cross data centre is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It uses advanced air-cooling systems to limit water usage and has facilities for off-site heat recovery, which could provide free heating for homes, schools and businesses in the area.
The company also announced an agreement with Shell Energy Europe to manage its 24/7 carbon-free energy in the UK. Shell will balance supply through battery storage, allowing excess power from projects like the Moray West wind farm in Scotland to be stored and released when needed. Google expects its UK operations to run on about 95% carbon-free energy in 2026.
Demis Hassabis, Co-Founder and CEO, Google DeepMind, said, “We founded DeepMind in London because we knew the UK had the potential and talent to be a global hub for pioneering AI.
“The UK has a rich history of being at the forefront of technology – from Lovelace to Babbage to Turing – so it’s fitting that we’re continuing that legacy by investing in the next wave of innovation and scientific discovery in the UK.”
Councilor Corina Gander, Leader of Broxbourne Council, commented, “I am delighted that Google chose to open their data centre in the Borough of Broxbourne. The Council has worked closely with Google to maximise the positive impact of the development. Google is heavily investing in community-based projects and is making an important contribution to the local economy.”
