Summary:
- Eclipse Power Optimise and Carlton Power have partnered to build Future Point Manchester, a 1.4 GW energy park in Greater Manchester designed to accommodate a large hyperscale data center campus.
- The project will connect to the national grid in 2028 with on-site low-carbon generation, providing resilience amidst grid-connection delays for large users.
- The development is expected to attract significant private capital during construction, boost the UK economy, and create thousands of data-enabled jobs in the North.
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Article:
Future Point Manchester: A Game-Changing Energy Park in Greater Manchester
Eclipse Power Optimise and Carlton Power have recently joined forces to embark on a groundbreaking project that is set to redefine the energy landscape in Greater Manchester. The collaboration aims to build Future Point Manchester, a state-of-the-art 1.4 GW energy park that will house one of Europe’s largest hyperscale data center campuses.
As part of the ambitious plan, Future Point Manchester is scheduled to be connected to the national grid by 2028 through a bilateral link that eliminates the need for upstream reinforcement. Additionally, the energy park will feature over 500 MW of on-site low-carbon generation, providing an added layer of resilience for potential operators in light of the prevalent grid-connection delays that are impacting many large users well into the 2030s.
The developers of the project foresee a substantial economic impact, with the potential to unlock £10.7 billion in private capital during the construction phase and contribute £1.8 billion annually to the UK economy once operational. Furthermore, the development is expected to support over 3,000 data-enabled jobs across the North, bolstering the region’s digital infrastructure and employment sector.
The formal agreement between Eclipse and Carlton solidifies Eclipse’s role in overseeing the design and operation of the private electricity network, complemented by Carlton’s extensive experience in power generation assets, including the adjacent Carrington CCGT plant and the emerging Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.
Alex Howison, Director of Development at Eclipse Power Optimise, emphasized the importance of hyperscale developments in driving the UK’s AI Growth Zone strategy, highlighting Manchester’s existing digital connectivity and thriving digital ecosystem that attract global hyperscale players like Microsoft, AWS, Google, and Meta. He expressed excitement about the pivotal role Future Point Manchester will play in providing essential infrastructure for the sector’s growth and the region’s prosperity.
Keith Clarke, Founder and CEO of Carlton Power, underscored the critical role of reliable power supply in supporting hyperscale data infrastructure, emphasizing the partnership’s commitment to designing, building, and managing Future Point Manchester with industry-leading expertise in power generation and networks.
In conclusion, Future Point Manchester stands as a testament to the innovative collaboration between Eclipse Power Optimise and Carlton Power, poised to set new standards in energy infrastructure and digital connectivity while driving economic growth and job creation in Greater Manchester.
