Calls for data centre plans to be scrapped near Caernarfon

Buckinghamshire-based Gwelyfenai Limited is behind plans for a data centre building, back-up generators, plant, equipment, and sub-station at the former Ferodo/Friction Dynamic site at Griffiths Crossing.

The data centre would lead to the creation of around 915 jobs during construction, and 210 operational jobs "for Welsh residents".

But significant concerns remain regarding water supply and pollution, the amount of energy required to run the centre, air pollution, its impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, and the proximity of the data centre to the Menai Strait.

A visualisation of what the data centre will look like. (Image: Planning documents)

A petition, titled Menai Data Centre - SAY NO!', has been launched on Change.org and has already received more than 1,400 signatures (at time of writing).

Launched by Amy M, the petition said of the plans: "The tallest buildings would be 100 feet high, compared to the 29 foot height of the former Ferodo factory. That's three metres higher than the Marquis statue on Anglesey! 

"This is a huge data centre that will significantly change the local landscape.

"Previous development proposals (holiday site) on the same land have been rejected in part because of the detrimental visual impact it would have on the landscape.

"Gwynedd council advised that only "well-designed" and "small to very small holiday lodges" would be appropriate on the site. 

"The development is proposed with an enormous 450 MW electricity connection. For comparison, the Welsh Government recently described 400 MW of new wind generation as enough to meet the annual average electricity needs of around 350,000 Welsh homes — roughly a quarter of all Welsh households.

"When there is insufficient supply, the data centre will rely on diesel generators. This data centre will run 24/7, 365 days a year. 

"Previous data centres have resulted in the surrounding areas being hit with a sharp increase in their electricity bills as the local demand skyrockets. 

"The environmental assessment identifies a potential maximum water demand of almost 12 million litres per day, while the developer says the most likely demand would be around 700,000 litres per day. 

They propose to take this from the local clean drinking water supply from Dŵr Cymru. They then plan to either dump this into the nearby Waterloo pump station. They say they will filter this water, but we do not know if this will be done sufficiently and not effect local wildlife. They have also provided no information on how they intend to cool it. Waste water from data centres is known to be hot, an increase of temperature in the Menai, should they end up dumping water in there, would have disastrous consequences for the ecosystem."

"When there is insufficient electricity supply, the data centre will rely solely on diesel generators. Even a brief interruption can cause serious problems.

"The Environment Agency notes that unabated diesel engines can emit high levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and that significant installed capacity can breach short-term air-quality standards within a few hours of operation.

"They say this is only to be used as back-up, but the electricity grid is currently struggling to connect the rapidly expanding number of proposed data centres in Britain.

"What happens if this data centre is built before its full grid connection is available?

"Just the vast scale of construction will destroy the habitat of local wildlife, but the continuous operation is also set to displace countless species that call this area home. Data centres generate mechanical noise, including a constant low-frequency hum noise from cooling systems, fans, pumps, and other equipment.

"People living near these facilities have raised concerns about this type of noise and its impact on quality of life and sleep; the impact on insects, bees and other animals that rely on the area would be huge, especially considering that many species can hear frequencies that we can’t. 

"Instead of allowing this project to proceed, Gwelyfenai Ltd. should be asked to explore alternative locations and better technologies that would mitigate its impact. Disused quarries could be explored, for example. Closed-loop water cooling systems that do not take from the local drinking water supply. Investing in and then harnessing renewable energy sources. A higher cost and more planning for the multi-millionaire company directors, but far less of a negative impact on our land, our people and our wildlife here in North Wales.

"The stakes are high, and time is pressing. We need your support to make our voices heard. Help us convince the local council to reject the plans for the mega data-centre in Caernarfon and prioritise the preservation of what makes our home so special.

"By signing this petition, you are standing up for our community, our environment, our wildlife and our future."