Google announced a new £5 billion (approximately $6.80 billion) investment in Britain on Tuesday, ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit. The visit is expected to highlight numerous business deals and partnerships between the two countries.
The U.S. tech company also revealed the opening of a new data center near London. This facility is specifically designed to handle the growing demand for its AI-powered services, including Google Cloud, Search, Maps, and Workspace.
In a statement released by the company, UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves called the investment “a powerful vote of confidence in the UK economy and the strength of our partnership with the U.S.” Google projects that this investment will create 8,250 jobs annually within British businesses.
The announcement is seen as a significant boost for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which is focused on attracting private investment to stimulate a sluggish economy. The Trump visit is also anticipated to strengthen economic ties, with senior U.S. officials indicating that over $10 billion worth of economic deals will be unveiled.
In addition, Google stated it has reached an agreement with Shell to contribute to grid stability and Britain’s ongoing energy transition. The new Waltham Cross data center, located about an hour from London, uses air-cooling technology to minimize water consumption. It is also equipped to redirect excess heat to nearby homes or businesses, thereby reducing its overall environmental impact. Google expects its UK operations to run at or near 95% carbon-free energy by 2026, thanks to its clean energy initiatives and the new Shell partnership.
