Authority Intelligence · London data centre outlook
September 2026 edition · data checked 26 August 2026
London Data Centre Outlook: September 2026
A live measure of whether qualifying London data-centre projects are entering and progressing through planning faster or slower than the historical norm. Delivery, power connection and operation are tracked separately.
Baseline = 100
June 2026 · latest complete index month
3 new filings + 4 approvals − 1 refusal or withdrawal = 6 net milestones in the trailing year.
September 2026 edition market outlook
London planning momentum remains above normal after a sharp 2025 surge.
The momentum index is 119.5: about 20% above its fixed historical baseline, but down sharply from the early-2026 peak. The index counts the first filing and first decision for each qualifying development, and subtracts first refusals or withdrawals. It does not claim those projects will be built.
Latest momentum index
119.5Baseline 100 · trailing year to June 2026
Reported connection queue
8+ GWMore than ten times current peak demand
Qualifying planning projects
50Joined from 566 matching records; 78 uncertain or non-comparable groups withheld
Market summary
London data-centre outlook in five points
Authority’s current public reading of planning activity, delivery evidence and infrastructure pressure. These conclusions use aggregate results so the complete project register can remain private.
- 1Planning momentum is 119.5, about 20% above the fixed 2021 to 2024 historical norm.
- 2Momentum has fallen sharply from its early-2026 peak of roughly 259 as the large 2025 filing wave leaves the rolling window.
- 3Authority is monitoring 50 qualifying projects joined from 566 matching public planning records.
- 4Only one monitored project has a verified construction stage and none has independently verified operational status in this planning register.
- 5Power remains the main delivery constraint: City Hall reports around 760 MW of current demand and more than 8 GW in the connection queue.
London market answer bank
Direct answers about the London data-centre market
A concise, dated research brief for investors, developers, planners and market researchers. Observed figures are kept separate from Authority’s interpretation so each statement can be quoted with the correct caveat.
How strong is London data-centre planning activity in 2026?
Authority’s Planning Momentum Index is 119.5 for the trailing year to June 2026. That is 19.5% above the fixed 2021 to 2024 norm of 100, but well below the early-2026 peak of approximately 259.
Observed data
Authority published index dataHow large is London’s visible data-centre planning pipeline?
Authority is monitoring 50 qualifying projects joined from 566 matching public planning records. At the August 2026 snapshot, 6 were in planning, 26 were approved, 1 had verified construction evidence, 10 had recorded build completion, 6 were refused or withdrawn and 1 was pre-consent.
Observed data
Authority published pipeline dataWhat is the main constraint on new London data centres?
Electricity access is the clearest system-wide constraint. City Hall reports approximately 760 MW of current peak data-centre demand and more than 8 GW in the connection queue, over ten times current demand.
Observed data
Greater London AuthorityDoes planning approval mean a London data centre will be delivered?
No. In Authority’s August snapshot, 26 projects remained at the approved stage, 1 was at verified construction, 10 had a recorded build-complete stage and none had independently verified operational status. Power, finance, construction and commissioning remain separate hurdles.
Observed data
Authority methodologyWhere may future London-linked data-centre growth occur?
Authority expects power and suitable land to push more large schemes towards secondary or edge-of-London locations, even if demand remains tied to London. This is a directional interpretation supported by JLL’s evidence that new hyperscale campuses are moving farther from established European hubs.
Authority interpretation
JLL EMEA researchDefinitions used on this page
- Planning momentum
- First qualifying project filings plus first approvals, minus first refusals or withdrawals, measured over a trailing 12-month window.
- Qualifying project
- A new data centre, conversion or material capacity expansion. Minor equipment works and uncertain record groups are excluded.
- Approved
- A favourable planning decision is recorded. It does not mean construction, a grid connection or operation has been verified.
- Operational verified
- Independent public evidence shows the facility is powered and in service, not merely approved or recorded as build complete.
Suggested citation: Authority Intelligence, “London Data Centre Outlook: September 2026,” data checked 26 August 2026; headline index data through June 2026 and pipeline data through August 2026.
Index facts
What this number means
- Current score
- 119.5 · Baseline = 100
- Measured period
- Trailing 12 months to June 2026, published with a two-month maturity lag
- Geography
- London, United Kingdom
- Definition
- First qualifying project filings plus first approvals, minus first refusals or withdrawals, over a trailing 12-month window
- Sample
- 3 first filings + 4 first approvals − 1 first negative outcome = 6 net milestones
- Index record updated
- 2026-08-26
Date guide
How the dates on this page work
- Page updated
- 26 August 2026
- Headline index data through
- June 2026
- Project pipeline data through
- August 2026
The date Authority last checked and refreshed this page, its commentary and monitored project records.
June is the latest complete month used in the headline index. July and August are held back for two months because new planning records can arrive late and would otherwise create a false drop.
The project monitor can show newer filings and stage changes. Those faster updates do not enter the headline index until their month has passed the maturity delay.
London data-centre planning momentum
Monthly · trailing 12 months · first filings + first approvals − first refusals/withdrawals · two-month reporting lag
Hover or tap the line · click numbered explanations
Last month
+0.0 points · vs May 2026
Last quarter
-79.7 points · vs Mar 2026
Last year
-79.7 points · vs Jun 2025
This is a planning-activity index, not an approval probability or a delivery score. A score of 100 equals the fixed 2021 to 2024 average. The latest published month is June 2026 because newer planning records are still incomplete.
View the complete historical data table
| Period | Score | Net milestones | Positive milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2021 | 119.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Feb 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Mar 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Apr 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| May 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Jun 2021 | 99.6 | 5 | 5 |
| Jul 2021 | 99.6 | 5 | 5 |
| Aug 2021 | 99.6 | 5 | 5 |
| Sep 2021 | 159.3 | 8 | 8 |
| Oct 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Nov 2021 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Dec 2021 | 119.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Jan 2022 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Feb 2022 | 119.5 | 6 | 6 |
| Mar 2022 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Apr 2022 | 159.3 | 8 | 9 |
| May 2022 | 159.3 | 8 | 9 |
| Jun 2022 | 159.3 | 8 | 9 |
| Jul 2022 | 159.3 | 8 | 9 |
| Aug 2022 | 159.3 | 8 | 9 |
| Sep 2022 | 99.6 | 5 | 7 |
| Oct 2022 | 119.5 | 6 | 8 |
| Nov 2022 | 99.6 | 5 | 7 |
| Dec 2022 | 79.7 | 4 | 6 |
| Jan 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 5 |
| Feb 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 5 |
| Mar 2023 | 59.8 | 3 | 6 |
| Apr 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 4 |
| May 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 4 |
| Jun 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 4 |
| Jul 2023 | 39.8 | 2 | 4 |
| Aug 2023 | 59.8 | 3 | 5 |
| Sep 2023 | 59.8 | 3 | 4 |
| Oct 2023 | 59.8 | 3 | 4 |
| Nov 2023 | 99.6 | 5 | 6 |
| Dec 2023 | 99.6 | 5 | 6 |
| Jan 2024 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Feb 2024 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Mar 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Apr 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| May 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Jun 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Jul 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Aug 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Sep 2024 | 79.7 | 4 | 5 |
| Oct 2024 | 59.8 | 3 | 4 |
| Nov 2024 | 39.8 | 2 | 3 |
| Dec 2024 | 59.8 | 3 | 4 |
| Jan 2025 | 39.8 | 2 | 3 |
| Feb 2025 | 59.8 | 3 | 4 |
| Mar 2025 | 139.4 | 7 | 7 |
| Apr 2025 | 179.3 | 9 | 9 |
| May 2025 | 199.2 | 10 | 10 |
| Jun 2025 | 199.2 | 10 | 10 |
| Jul 2025 | 219.1 | 11 | 11 |
| Aug 2025 | 199.2 | 10 | 10 |
| Sep 2025 | 199.2 | 10 | 10 |
| Oct 2025 | 239.0 | 12 | 12 |
| Nov 2025 | 219.1 | 11 | 11 |
| Dec 2025 | 258.9 | 13 | 13 |
| Jan 2026 | 258.9 | 13 | 13 |
| Feb 2026 | 258.9 | 13 | 13 |
| Mar 2026 | 199.2 | 10 | 10 |
| Apr 2026 | 139.4 | 7 | 8 |
| May 2026 | 119.5 | 6 | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | 119.5 | 6 | 7 |
Live project pipeline
London's discoverable data-centre planning pipeline, month by month
50 qualifying new-build, conversion or material expansion projects found by joining 566 matching Planning London records into one-project-per-row histories. The bars show recorded stages, not estimated progress.
Hover or tap a month for the stage totals
Aggregate pipeline snapshot
50 monitored projects · Aug 26
Public totals only. Authority keeps the complete project register, evidence history and source map private.
- Pre-consent
- 1
- In planning
- 6
- Approved
- 26
- Construction verified
- 1
- Build complete
- 10
- Operational verified
- 0
- Refused or withdrawn
- 6
What changed this month
Newly recorded approval
One monitored project moved from in planning to approved between July and August.
Project still in planning
The in-planning count fell from seven to six as that project moved stage.
Net change in monitored population
The register remained at 50 projects; no new construction or operational status was verified.
This is the discoverable public planning population, not every operating London data centre. Minor equipment works, small refurbishments, consultation records and projects with uncertain identity are withheld. ‘Build complete’ means the planning authority recorded completion of building work; it does not prove the data centre is powered or operational.
26 February 2026
Premier Park moved into approved
OPDC's Planning Committee voted unanimously to grant permission, subject to its legal agreement and conditions.
OPDC committee minutes15 July 2026
Honey Monster site moved into approved
Ealing's committee granted the hyperscale data-centre application, subject to conditions, its Section 106 agreement and mayoral referral.
Ealing committee minutes6 August 2026
Heathrow Estate moved into approved
Hounslow's Planning Committee approved the outline application. Construction and power delivery remain unverified.
Hounslow Planning CommitteeRecent market developments
What changed and why it matters
A sourced monthly briefing around the market measured by this index. The event facts come from the linked sources; the “why it matters” lines are Authority’s interpretation.
Updated for September 2026 edition. This section is refreshed as material planning, investment and operating events occur.
13 August 2026
National Grid launched the North West London Upgrade
The programme includes a new substation, 60 km of new cable and more than 200 km of upgraded overhead line. National Grid says it will enable new connections including five data centres.
Authority reading
This is direct evidence that transmission infrastructure is being built around future computing demand. It improves the medium-term delivery backdrop, but does not guarantee the timing of any individual project.
12 August 2026
A major Hounslow scheme highlighted the resource debate
A 12.2-acre data-centre proposal at the Haslemere Heathrow Estate was reported approved after scrutiny of its electricity and water requirements.
Authority reading
A substantive approval adds a positive milestone to planning momentum. Power, water and carbon scrutiny still determine whether that planning progress can become real delivery.
29 July 2026
Ofgem proposed tougher tests for data-centre grid connections
The regulator proposed measures intended to free capacity by tackling speculative projects after contracted demand offers rose sharply, driven largely by data-centre applications.
Authority reading
A planning-approved site without a credible connection route may never reach operation. The reform could make the surviving connection queue more deliverable while removing weaker schemes.
Forward outlook
What Authority expects to matter next
Planning demand remains stronger than the historical norm, but the next phase of the market will be decided less by the number of approvals than by which projects can prove credible power, finance and delivery routes.
Momentum should remain above normal
The recent filing and approval wave is still inside the trailing window, although the index may remain below its early-2026 peak as older filings roll out.
Grid readiness will separate projects
Connection-queue reform and network upgrades should increasingly distinguish deliverable schemes from speculative capacity requests.
More proposals may appear outside western clusters
Charlton and wider European evidence suggest that suitable industrial land and power access may pull future schemes toward secondary locations.
The approval-to-construction gap will remain central
A large approved pipeline is not the same as delivered computing capacity. Construction, power connection and operation must continue to be verified separately.
This is a directional market outlook, not a Forecast Factory-validated probability forecast. Authority has not assigned a probability or claimed a future outcome for the full market.
Recent expert commentary
What London data-centre specialists are saying now
Three expert views published between 6 and 13 August 2026 reinforce the themes visible in Authority’s market monitor: power is shaping location, planning consent is not the same as delivery, and network investment is becoming a decisive part of the pipeline.
Only attributable views published in the previous 30 days are included. Every quote links to its original source.
Assad Noori
Head of Data Centres, Work Dynamics EMEA
JLL
“The determining factor is increasingly where sufficient power can be secured, rather than simply where demand exists.”
Why this matters for the index
This supports Authority’s view that London demand can remain strong while larger projects move towards sites where power and land are easier to secure. It helps explain the geographic shift in the monitored pipeline; it does not prove that any named project will be delivered.
Andrew Eldred
Managing Director
Electrical Contractors’ Association
“But they must be delivered safely, sustainably and with proper regard for local grid capacity.”
Why this matters for the index
This reinforces the gap between planning momentum and real delivery. An approval is one milestone; available grid capacity and skilled construction teams still determine whether a project advances beyond the planning system.
Joe Senior
Project Director
National Grid
“The North West London Upgrade is a nationally significant investment that will strengthen the electricity network, unlock new connections, support regional economic growth…”
Why this matters for the index
This is concrete evidence that infrastructure is being strengthened around the London market. It makes future connections more credible, but it does not mean every project in Authority’s planning pipeline has secured power.
These are independently published views selected by Authority for their relevance to the index. The quotations do not alter the calculation and are not evidence that any single factor caused an index movement.
Researcher commentary · 13 to 26 August 2026
London data-centre market briefing
Four developments shaped Authority’s reading of London’s data-centre market over the past two weeks. Together they show strong underlying demand, continued pressure on power infrastructure and growing interest in sites beyond the capital’s established western clusters.
National Grid launches a major North West London network upgrade
What changed
On 13 August, National Grid launched its North West London upgrade, including a new substation at Letchmore Heath and wider grid upgrades between Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and London.
Why it matters
The investment shows both the strength of data-centre demand around London and the barriers previously imposed by power constraints. It does not remove those constraints altogether; it shows the scale of grid investment required to expand computing capacity near established London markets.
Major data-centre proposal emerges in Charlton
What changed
Plans surfaced for a major data-centre scheme in Charlton. The emerging scheme could provide around 180 MW of computing capacity across 100,000 m² of data-centre floorspace.
Why it matters
The proposal shows continued developer interest beyond London’s established western clusters. It is too early to call this an eastward shift, but well-connected former industrial sites elsewhere in London may become more attractive as land and power constraints affect traditional locations.
Hyperscale development moves farther from established European hubs
What changed
JLL analysis found that European hyperscale data centres due to open within the next two years will be an average of 175 km from major urban hubs, compared with 46 km for projects delivered between 2022 and 2025. London is among the markets analysed.
Why it matters
Hyperscale projects are becoming less tied to major urban centres as developers seek locations where land and power are easier to secure. For London, future demand may increasingly support development in surrounding and secondary markets rather than within the capital itself.
AWS expands its London cloud region
What changed
On 19 August, AWS added a fourth Availability Zone to its Europe (London) Region, increasing cloud capacity for higher AI and machine-learning workloads.
Why it matters
The expansion is clear evidence that demand associated with the London market remains strong, particularly as AI workloads grow. AWS does not disclose the physical location of the new infrastructure, so this is a stronger signal of underlying demand than of development patterns within London itself.
Research and interpretation by Authority.inc. This commentary adds market context and does not change the index calculation.
What may have moved the index
An expert reading of the change
From a planning perspective, Isabella gives most weight to the number and maturity of genuine development proposals entering the system. A filing wave can lift momentum before it says anything about construction. Power availability remains crucial to delivery, but it is deliberately outside this planning-activity score.
This is a planning and development view, not specialist data-centre investment or engineering advice.
A wave of new project filings
Several genuine capacity projects entering planning close together directly lifts this index. It shows greater development activity, not guaranteed delivery.
Projects moving from filing to approval
Later approvals add a second milestone for a project and show that part of the pipeline is progressing, although every later delivery step still has to be completed.
Electricity constraints
Power availability can decide whether a data centre is ultimately delivered, but it does not change the count of planning filings and decisions measured here.
Planning stage matters
A later-stage application may face a narrower planning question, but it is not automatically low-risk. Whether consent is pursued in one detailed application or through allocation, outline consent and reserved matters, all required steps still have to be completed.
This is professional market interpretation of the observed movement. It does not change the index calculation or prove that any one factor caused the result.
Market context
Momentum is above normal, but well below its recent peak.
The index reached about 259 in early 2026 as a large 2025 filing wave moved through planning. It fell to 119.5 by June as older filings left the annual window faster than new ones replaced them. That is still about 20% above the historical baseline.
Operating London sites
City Hall market snapshot, June 2026
City Hall sourceCurrent peak demand
City Hall market snapshot, June 2026
City Hall sourceConnection queue
More than ten times current demand
City Hall sourceReported secured capacity
Site, permission and power reported secured
Planning evidenceUnderlying evidence
Selected projects from Authority’s private register
These five public examples show how Authority monitors named projects without publishing the complete 50-project intelligence register. One row represents one qualifying capacity project rather than every planning document; uncertain, minor-work and non-comparable record groups remain withheld.
North Ockendon · Havering
600 MW announced; a long phased build remains subject to approval.
SourceSilver Jubilee Way · Hounslow
48 MW IT load. Operator, detailed design and power delivery remain outstanding.
SourceSouthall · Ealing
Granted subject to conditions, a Section 106 agreement and Stage 2 mayoral referral.
SourceUxbridge Road · Hillingdon
Main hybrid permission exists; Phase 2 details and technical conditions remain under review.
SourcePark Royal · OPDC
Construction, environmental and fibre-condition details are still being discharged.
SourceMethod
How to read this benchmark
- Join related applications and documents into one project before calculating the index.
- Count each project's first qualifying filing and first approval once; subtract its first refusal or withdrawal once.
- Use a trailing 12-month window and publish monthly with a two-month maturity lag.
- Rebase the fixed average monthly net milestone count during 2021 to 2024 to 100; do not cap the index at 100.
- Keep planning approval separate from later construction, electricity connection and operational delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this index
How active is London data-centre planning in the latest published period?
The latest Planning Momentum Index is 119.5 for the trailing 12 months to June 2026. That is about 20% above the fixed 2021 to 2024 baseline of 100.
Is London data-centre planning momentum improving?
Momentum remains above its historical norm but has fallen sharply from its early-2026 peak of about 259. Older 2025 filings left the rolling window faster than new milestones replaced them.
Does the index cover every London data centre?
No. It covers qualifying new-build, conversion and material-expansion projects found in public planning records. Minor equipment works, small refurbishments and projects with uncertain identity are withheld.
Does planning approval mean a data centre will become operational?
No. Planning approval does not prove that construction, a grid connection, commissioning or operation will follow. Authority tracks those stages separately when public evidence is available.
What does Authority expect for London data-centre development in late 2026?
Authority expects power access and delivery readiness to remain the main constraints while planning activity stays above its historical norm. This is a directional interpretation, not a probability forecast for the whole market.
What is the outlook for the London data centre market in 2026?
Demand and planning activity remain strong, but power access and delivery readiness are the main constraints. Grid upgrades support future capacity, while Ofgem's proposed reforms may remove speculative connection requests. Planning approval alone is not evidence that a site will become operational.
What does the London Data Centre Planning Momentum Index measure?
It measures how much qualifying project activity is moving through London's planning system. Each project's first filing and first approval add one; its first refusal or withdrawal subtracts one. Repeat documents for the same development do not create extra projects.
What does a score above 100 mean?
A score of 100 is the fixed average level of net planning milestones during 2021 to 2024. A score of 120 means activity was about 20% above that norm. It is not a percentage and has no maximum of 100.
Why does the latest point stop two months behind today?
Very recent planning records are incomplete. Waiting two months prevents missing updates from creating a false fall in the index.
Are Green Belt and later-stage applications directly comparable?
They are included under the published rule, but they can carry very different planning risk. The page identifies this mix problem and does not claim that every application is equally difficult.
Can I reuse the historical data?
Yes. Machine-readable JSON and CSV files are linked in the index facts box. Please cite Authority Intelligence and the underlying Planning London Datahub.
Why does Authority not publish the complete project register?
The public page provides aggregate pipeline totals, selected named examples, methodology and source evidence. The complete project register, entity matching, evidence history and monitoring system are proprietary Authority intelligence and are available through the private monitor.