A data centre operator which is set to open a site in Cardiff, creating more than 1,000 jobs, has launched.
Latos Data Centres says it has a mission of enabling UK businesses to capitalise on the power of advanced computing, including AI.
Founded by telecoms entrepreneur Mike Carlin, the privately-held Latos plans to open 40 purpose-built data centres across the UK by 2030. These will be a combination of hyperscale facilities, alongside smaller volumetric assets at the network edge.
The company has already secured planning permission for its first hyperscale complex near Cardiff and has further sites in development.
Development work on the Latos site in Cardiff is expected to start immediately, leading to the creation of 1,000 local construction jobs, 200 jobs when open, and between 250-300 roles in the local supply chain.
Latos partners in the project are PCG Ltd and TEP Ltd.
Latos “next generation” data centre strategy combines a focus on low-latency, high-performance computing, with flexible modular designs, energy efficiency, and the tightest security standards.
Latos hyperscale data centre in Cardiff will be a Tier III asset designed to meet the needs of the most demanding global technology companies. It will deliver a total of 90MVA across 50,400sq.m of floor space. Power will come from a 100% renewable energy supply from the National Grid, supported with a backup feed from the neighbouring 1000MW Tremorfa Energy Park, one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities.
Latos volumetric data centres will deliver computing power at the network edge, supporting sophisticated AI use cases like autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing. Using a modular design approach with offsite assembly, Latos can build and open new volumetric facilities in less than six months, on as little as 0.3 acres of land. Latos offers a turnkey volumetric capability that can be bespoke to customers’ needs. This can cover land acquisition, construction, fit-out, security monitoring, and remote management.
Edge data centre capacity will be key to driving the growth of AI in the UK. According to STL Consulting, as much as 50% of AI workloads will happen at the network edge by 2028. McKinsey analysis suggests that demand for AI-ready data centre capacity globally will rise at an average rate of 33 percent a year between 2023 and 2030.
Mike Carlin, Founder of Latos Data Centres, said:
“The growth of AI means the UK’s data centre map needs to change. Organisations will need more computing power closer to where it is needed, and the ability to specify the exact facilities they need. They also need the peace of mind that comes from working with an experienced partner. Our team has a deep heritage designing and building complex data facilities. We understand better than anyone how best to deliver the infrastructure UK organisations will need.”
