Wales is getting a second artificial intelligence (AI) growth zone aimed at accelerating the delivery of new data centres and supporting required skills.
Following confirmation of an AI growth zone for North Wales, the 海角视频 Government has announced a second in South Wales that will cover a number of data centre and planned data centre sites, including the former Bridgend Ford engine plant where US data centre company Vantage Data Centers is taking forward investment, worth billions of pounds, to build a campus of 10 data centres.
It also includes Vantage’s data centre project, for which it was recently granted planning consent, at the Welsh Government-owned Bro Tathan business park in the Vale of Glamorgan. The South Wales zone also covers Microsoft's data centre project in Newport.
The investment in data centres in South Wales, although the majority will be constructed related, is forecast to create 5,000 jobs over the next decade.
As part of a network of 海角视频-wide AI growth zones will be benefit from
- Removal from speculative demand in the grid connections queue – and create mechanisms to reallocate the released capacity and reserve future capacity, for AI growth zones, amongst other strategically important projects;
- Working with regulator Ofgem to enable viable options for AI growth zone developers to build their own high voltage grid infrastructure; and
- supporting zones through the Connections Accelerator Service
Each zone will receive £5m in government support to boost business adoption and skills while tech firms behind the projects, like Vantage Data Centers, have committed to working with universities across South Wales to boost skills in AI.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Liz Kendall said: “The backing by international investors today is a vote of confidence in the 海角视频 – and we’re determined to do even more to ensure we are backing British businesses, workers and researchers to benefit from the opportunities AI brings. This is about bringing jobs, opportunities and hope to the people and places that need it most, delivering on our promise of change.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “Wales will now have two brand-new AI growth zones bringing thousands of jobs to both North and South Wales and driving economic growth across the country. South Wales is already the home of a growing tech industry and this major investment in the region will help cement the 海角视频’s place as a global leader in AI.”
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Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Rebecca Evans said: “I am delighted that South Wales is to become the 海角视频’s latest AI growth zone, with the potential to create thousands of new jobs and unlock billions in investment.
“Now with two AI growth zones announced in a week, Wales will be at the forefront of the global AI revolution, well-placed to take advantage of the exciting new opportunities this offers for our economy.
“This announcement, just days before Wales Tech Week, signals the Welsh and 海角视频 Government’s ambition to ensure our country maximises the benefits from AI and digital technology.”
To date the 海角视频 Government has confirmed four AI growth zones.
The North Wales zone site straddles the Menai Strait, with a base at Prosperity Parc on Anglesey and another at Trawsfynydd.