FAQS

A data centre is a facility that houses computer systems and digital infrastructure used to store, process and distribute data.

They underpin everyday services such as cloud computing, streaming, financial transactions and, increasingly, artificial intelligence – making them as fundamental to modern economies as traditional infrastructure like energy and transport.

As digital demand grows, data centres are becoming a critical driver of economic growth and technology investment, enabling innovation, attracting global capital, and supporting high-value industries.

They also play an essential role in delivering reliable, high-quality public services – from healthcare systems to education and emergency response – where digital access and resilience are increasingly vital.

As a result, data centres are a core part of national infrastructure and require reliable electricity sources.

Locating data centres alongside flexible energy infrastructure can improve efficiency, enhance system resilience, support renewable integration, and reduce strain on the wider grid.

Thurrock is a strategically important location, with access to major power infrastructure, strong transport and digital connectivity, and land suitable for large-scale infrastructure.

The area is already a well-established logistics and industrial hub, which makes it well suited to supporting both energy and digital infrastructure.

Its location close to London and key growth corridors makes it suitable for low-latency applications and creates an opportunity to support future demand from data centres and other nationally important infrastructure.

For Statera, Thurrock combines the practical conditions needed for this type of development with the potential to support wider UK sovereign AI and digital capability.

Access to power has emerged as one of the critical bottlenecks to the rollout of AI data centres. Unlike other data centre projects, Statera has already built much of the electrical infrastructure required to enable the grid connection at Thurrock, thanks to its nearby Thurrock Flexible Generation site. This creates a valuable opportunity for Statera to help deliver data centre capacity quickly.

Statera’s role would be as developer and energy partner, bringing expertise in power infrastructure and system optimisation.

The operational model will reflect industry best practice.

No decisions have been made at this stage.

We are committed to reducing environmental impacts wherever possible through careful design, mitigation and ongoing management.

Extensive areas of the site would be dedicated to the creation of a new ecology park, delivering long-term environmental gains and local biodiversity enhancement.

Construction and operational impacts would be carefully managed through the planning process and in accordance with all relevant environmental regulations.

As the project develops, we will engage transparently through the planning process and provide local people with opportunities to understand and comment on the proposals.

The project is expected to generate significant employment during construction, alongside a smaller number of long-term, high-skilled operational roles once the site is running.

As the project develops, we will provide more detail on likely job numbers and the types of roles that could be created.

We would also expect wider indirect benefits through supply chains, professional services and support industries.

The project will follow the usual planning and development process, including consultation with local residents and stakeholders at the appropriate stage.

Engagement with local communities is a key priority for Statera.

If the project progresses, consultation will form an important part of the planning process, ensuring residents have the opportunity to understand the proposals and provide feedback.

No planning application has been submitted at this stage.

Any application would only be submitted once the appropriate development and planning work has been completed, likely before the end of 2026.

The project is progressing through the relevant early-stage development work, and we will share updates as formal milestones are reached.