Deal will put it Cambois site "at the heart" of AI race

Zayo Europe is providing critical connectivity infrastructure for the project being developed by QTS on the former Blyth Power Station site at Cambois. As part of the development, Zayo Europe is building four diverse and scalable fibre routes providing high-capacity, secure, and resilient connectivity, integrating the Cambois site directly into Zayo's UK-wide fibre network - linking major UK cities including London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Edinburgh and high-speed connectivity to both Europe and the US. US firm QTS plans to build 10 data halls over more than 133 acres (540,000 sq m) on the site and says it will create thousands of jobs through its construction and operation. Colman Deegan, chief executive at Zayo Europe, said: "Much of the UK's digital infrastructure is currently concentrated in London and the South East. "Extending our digital infrastructure to Northumberland will create high-performance, resilient connectivity that supports innovation across the UK." Brent Bensten, chief technology officer at QTS, said: "Our Cambois data centre puts the UK at the heart of AI innovation and digital transformation. We're delighted to work with Zayo Europe to lay the foundations for nationwide AI growth." Northumberland County Council leader, Cllr Glen Sanderson said: "This work brings with it many benefits through a significant investment in the digital infrastructure of the county, job creation, upskilling and further growth opportunities. "It is a positive next step to deliver this data centre."