Curtis Hall proposes temporary 49.9MW gas power plant for Cardiff data center campus - report
UK property developer Curtis Hall has sought permission to build a 49.9MW gas power plant adjacent to its planned data center campus in Cardiff to ensure power availability.
According to reports from the BBC, the gas plant would serve as a "worst-case scenario" power source for the data center campus, which is expected to require 150MW of power from the grid once fully operational. The facility could begin operations in July 2028 and continue until the site achieves full electricity connection, anticipated in July 2033.
Plant Specifications
The planning documents outline a "temporary ancillary energy center" featuring five gas turbines, a steam generator, and two backup gas turbines. Additionally, the facility is expected to include 40 backup diesel generator sets. Curtis Hall has not confirmed the final generation technology, stating it remains open to alternatives like fuel cells.
Gas turbines appear in the planning documents because they represent the worst case for emissions and noise, so assessing them tests the upper limit of any impact.
Controversy and Concerns
The proposal has drawn criticism, with some suggesting the 49.9MW capacity is deliberately below the 50MW threshold that would require Welsh government approval. Cardiff Council members have raised formal objections, calling for increased scrutiny of the plans. The development would replace a park-and-ride facility that serves as key parking for Wales' largest hospital, the University Hospital of Wales.
If the connection arrives in time, the energy center will not be needed at all.
Broader Context
The proposal reflects ongoing power constraints in the UK that have already seen major tech companies like Microsoft and OpenAI withdraw from proposed projects. Curtis Hall maintains the gas generation would not be permanent, stating it is not the data center's permanent power supply, and once the grid connection is live it would no longer be needed. The company first announced the Cardiff data center campus plans in February.
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