Good infrastructure decisions connect a commercial requirement to evidence that can be checked. Use this guide to prepare a focused conversation, not as a substitute for legal, engineering or site-specific due diligence.
01 / THE MARKET IS MOVING
Power and planning shape the opportunity.
The UK’s AI Growth Zones programme focuses on accelerating data-centre development by addressing power and planning barriers. It is policy context, not a promise that a particular site qualifies or has an available connection. Confirm the rules and project position when evaluating an asset.
In Ireland, EirGrid publishes a dedicated data-centre connection process, technical assessment material and constrained-area guidance. A location needs assessment through the applicable network process; a map cannot establish whether a connection is available.
Selected primary sources reviewed 30 October 2026. Policy, availability and connection processes can change. No affiliation with government, network operators or infrastructure owners is implied.
02 / EVIDENCE BEFORE EXPECTATION
Separate the milestones.
Ownership and tenure: legal title, lease rights, permitted use and authority to market.
Planning: decision notice, approved use, conditions, expiry and any outstanding consents. Marketing language is not a decision notice.
Power: contracted import capacity, connection point, milestones, reinforcement dependencies and energisation evidence.
Building and plant: completion, condition, testing, cooling, fire strategy and operational records.
Connectivity: actual carrier services, capacity, wayleaves and separately verified physical diversity.
Commercial position: occupation, availability, counterparty authority, liabilities and the scope of what is being acquired or leased.
For an offline asset, establish what has been preserved, disconnected, removed or superseded. A credible reopening plan needs engineering and commercial evidence; a historical design rating is not present-day usable capacity.
03 / COMPUTATION HAS A PHYSICAL BRIEF
Start with the job the infrastructure must do.
For CPU, GPU or other accelerated compute, specify the workload, software stack, memory, storage, network and data movement. State whether the requirement is continuous capacity, a short batch run or a service with an agreed outcome.
For physical space, distinguish the IT load from utility import capacity. Describe rack density, cooling, resilience, access, security and expansion. For modular, containerised or nano deployments, include installation, transport, siting, power, heat rejection and the local operating environment.
Compute as a service can change the ownership model, but it does not remove the need to understand data location, usage terms, performance, support, portability and the costs of moving data.
04 / CONNECTED GEOGRAPHY. DISTINCT JURISDICTIONS.
The British Isles are not one rulebook.
This site covers the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies for geographical exploration. Ireland is a separate state. The Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are Crown Dependencies, not parts of the UK. Planning, electricity connections, taxation, regulation and data requirements must be checked in the relevant jurisdiction.
A regional connection on the atlas is an orientation aid. Consult the relevant electricity and connectivity operators for deliverability, capacity and site-specific routes. A power station or cable landing nearby does not grant an asset a right to use it.
05 / THE RIGHT INFORMATION, TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Start broad. Disclose deliberately.
The directory draws on public operator and project sources, not a private stock list. Introduce a real opportunity with an anonymised summary and your authority to disclose. Agree recipients, purpose and confidentiality terms before releasing exact locations, tenant details or documents.
An NDA is part of an agreed process, not a badge that makes a public webpage secure. This website is not an authenticated data room. A future controlled directory requires server-side access control, an access policy and verified inventory.
These operator, owner, agent and project pages inform the public directory. An entry is not a live availability confirmation or a mandate. Reconfirm the current position with the source before relying on it.