Aspirations to see the Highland Capital established as a key player in the fast-growing data centre and cloud computing sectors have taken a significant step forward with the submission of a detailed planning application for the construction of our state of the art, environmentally friendly computing centre at Inverness harbour.
Since the scheme was announced just over a year ago, Alchemy Plus has been refining its designs to ensure that the facility will be one of the most technically advanced and energy efficient computing centres in the UK.
The first phase of the centre will initially house 300 racks of computing equipment in a highly secure 6,000 square foot data hall.
At full capacity the centre will draw around 4 Megawatts of electrical power but will also have access to emergency power provision to allow it to continue to operate for several days in the event of supply problems.
The design includes provision for the capture and re-distribution of heat produced by the computing equipment to help warm neighbouring buildings.
Reliable, high-bandwidth, fibre optic connections will link the facility direct to the UK’s ‘internet backbone’.
Steve Chisholm, Chief Executive Officer of Alchemy Plus, said: “With the ability to house powerful new high density computing applications – up to 10 times the ‘per rack’ capacity of most existing UK data centres - and boasting one of the most energy-efficient designs of its time, the centre will be a ‘best in class’ facility which will open up a whole new industry opportunity in the Highlands.
Gareth Williams, Highlands and Islands Manager at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), said: “A computing centre with world class capability could be a major catalyst for the expansion of key sectors and the knowledge economy in the region.
Oil and gas and renewable energy, life sciences, financial and business services, web-based tourism and education all have a rapidly growing demand for computer processing and data storage services. The creation of this premier facility would be a tremendous boost to innovation and internationalisation by Highland companies and bring inward investment and new jobs to the region.”
Stewart Nicol, Chief Executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “High quality internet connectivity and IT services are absolutely crucial for Highland businesses to be competitive, so we are very pleased to see plans moving forward for this development. In addition to the jobs that this development will directly create, many more will be generated by the unique opportunity offered by this exciting facility. Developments such as this reinforce the world class nature of Highlands and Islands businesses, many of whom operate at the leading edge of technology and innovation.”
Peter Swanson, Chairman of Alchemy Plus, said: “It is highly rewarding to see our plans take a further significant step towards realisation. I have long held the belief that access to highly efficient modern IT systems on a ‘pay as used’ basis will help Highland businesses of all sizes, from one man start-ups through to established corporates, to be more competitive and will aid growth. This isn’t just a city project, for I genuinely see this technology delivering benefits to businesses in outlying rural communities throughout the region, who can access our facilities down the wire.”
It is hoped that work will start on site in a few months and the computing centre is scheduled to open by 2011.
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