Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Kao Data began construction of a planned 40 MW data centre in Reddish, Stockport, on 2 October 2024. The company announced a £350 million investment in the facility for AI and cloud workloads, initially forecasting customer workloads by 2026. In September 2026, Kao Data executive Spencer Lamb gave a later expected operational date of 2027. That is still a forecast: the available reports do not confirm that the site has opened or begun serving customers.
What Kao Data is building in Stockport
The project is on an ex-industrial site in Reddish, where existing buildings were being demolished as construction began. Stockport Council describes it as Kao Data’s first data centre outside southern England. The company presented the development as infrastructure for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other advanced workloads.
Kao Data and the council announced an investment of £350 million. The planned facility is described as 40 MW and 25,900 square metres. These are announced project figures, not independently verified measurements of a completed or operating site. Kao Data’s construction announcement and Stockport Council’s project overview provide the original descriptions.
When is it expected to open?
The schedule has shifted. In 2024, Kao Data said customer workloads were expected to be powered by 2026, and Stockport Council also said the facility was expected to be operational by 2026. In a September 2026 article, Kao Data’s Spencer Lamb said the Stockport data centre would become operational by 2027. The later date is a company executive’s forecast, not a commissioning notice. Lamb’s September 2026 article is the later schedule statement.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
The available reports do not establish that the Stockport facility was operational as of 30 September 2026. Treat 2027 as the latest reported expectation, not a confirmed opening date.
What the energy claims do—and do not—mean
Kao Data said the planned facility was designed to be highly energy-efficient and powered by 100% certified renewable energy. Those are company claims about design and intended power sourcing; they do not demonstrate actual energy supply, measured efficiency, or operating emissions. The available project reporting does not provide an independently measured power-usage effectiveness (PUE) figure for the Stockport site.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Why the project matters to Stockport and Greater Manchester
The development adds planned data-centre capacity to Greater Manchester and the North West, a region the council presents as a place for digital infrastructure and investment. Stockport Council has also described skills-related work with Stockport College and a community fund. These are stated initiatives and anticipated local benefits, not independently evaluated results or confirmed employment totals.
The project should be understood on its own terms: Kao Data’s separate June 2026 announcement of a 22 MW, 10-year Nebius deployment at Harlow concerns another site and does not confirm Stockport’s construction progress, customers or operating date. The Harlow announcement relates to that separate deployment.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallQuick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Project facts at a glance
| Item | What has been announced |
|---|---|
| Location | Reddish, Stockport, on an ex-industrial site |
| Construction commencement | 2 October 2024, according to Kao Data |
| Investment | £350 million, announced by Kao Data and Stockport Council |
| Planned capacity | 40 MW, announced by Kao Data |
| Planned development size | 25,900 square metres, announced by Kao Data |
| Intended workloads | AI, cloud and other advanced computing workloads |
| Latest reported operational expectation | 2027, stated by Kao Data executive Spencer Lamb in September 2026; not confirmation of commissioning |
| Renewable-energy statement | Kao Data said it would be powered by 100% certified renewable energy; actual operating supply is not established by the announcement |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
