INDUSTRY 4.0-5.0
construction on the new Uxbridge Moor substation in Buckinghamshire, which will connect more than a dozen new data centres and deliver 1.8GW of additional capacity; this is the equivalent to adding a mid-sized city to the grid. As part of its £35 billion investment programme from 2026 to 2031, the substation will incorporate two SF6- free GIS substations, reducing environmental impact by deployments of SF6-free insulation technology in the country. Located beside the now-at-capacity Iver 400kV reinforcement required to support the UK’s AI-driven digital economy. With 28 planned sites located in areas served by Thames Water, and growing scrutiny from providers such as Anglian Water, the coming years will see operators accelerate the adoption of liquid-cooling systems that the thermal demands of AI infrastructure at scale. This all reinforces a simple prediction that by 2026, the UK will be home to a new generation of purpose-built AI factories, engineered for high-density compute, liquid cooling and integrated on-site or behind-the-metre power. As this transformation accelerates, the UK’s strategic positioning will strengthen further through deepening international alliances, including the new UK–US pact on AI and life sciences, which is set to generate tens of into 2026.
That momentum is already visible across the country through the rapid rollout of AI Growth Zones in the North East and Greater Manchester to the newly planning and energy access will help unlock up to £100 billion in additional investment. In North Wales, the AI Growth Zone will harness the
facing technologies in a key clean-energy corridor. Work to secure an investment partner is already underway, with construction set to accelerate in the coming months under the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Supported by £5 million for local skills and business adoption, the Zone will become a hub for AI development combining compute, research expertise and regional talent to drive innovations from new medical breakthroughs to cleaner, greener industry.
AI Growth Zones will be central to regenerating supporting the fastest-growing cycle of AI infrastructure investment the UK has ever experienced. It is this desire to deliver that led the UK’s Prime Minister Sir incredible change in our country…Our plan will make Britain the world leader.” By 2026, that plan will move beyond intent and its impact will be visible in concrete, moment in the UK’s ascent as a global AI powerhouse.
https://www.se.com/ie/en/
“Developments such as DataVita’s expansion, strengthened by CoreWeave’s £1.5bn
commitment, Scotland’s growing strategic relevance and its role as a natural focal point for the UK’s next generation of AI
infrastructure.”
www.irish-manufacturing.com
January/February 2026 Irish Manufacturing 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
