Deep Green, the UK-based leader in sustainable, high performance computing infrastructure, has secured planning approval to build its 5.6-megawatt heat-reusing data centre that will supply waste heat directly into the Bradford Energy Network.

This landmark project will power AI and high-performance computing while supplying surplus heat directly into the Bradford Energy Network, increasing even further the carbon savings delivered by the city-wide low-carbon district heating network being developed by 1Energy and launching in Autumn 2026.

The facility, to be developed on Listerhills Road adjacent to the new Thornton Road energy centre, will integrate with the Bradford Energy Network via a closed-loop cooling system.

Rather than venting heat into the atmosphere, Deep Green captures it and transfers it into the local heat network, further reducing carbon emissions for the network and supporting the delivery of sustainable, locally generated heat to homes and businesses across Bradford.

Unlike conventional data centres (which consume vast amounts of water and power simply to cool their servers) Deep Green’s model eliminates water usage and reuses up to 95% of generated heat for practical local benefit.

The data centre will provide high-density colocation capacity for universities, public sector bodies and businesses running AI inference and data-intensive workloads.    

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

 “This investment is a major vote of confidence in Bradford and in our region’s future as an AI powerhouse.

 “Deep Green’s pioneering approach will power our businesses, heat our communities, support the creation of good jobs and help us meet our net zero ambitions.

 “As the UK’s youngest city and its leading producer of applied AI postgraduates, Bradford is perfectly placed to harness this opportunity and help us innovate to build a stronger, better off West Yorkshire.”

John Hartley, Chief Executive of 1Energy, said:

“Heat networks are all about making better use of local energy resources, and this is a brilliant example of that in action. By capturing and reusing surplus heat from the Deep Green facility, Bradford is showing how cities can combine digital infrastructure with sustainable heat supply in a way that delivers real benefits for local people and businesses.

It’s exactly the kind of innovative infrastructure partnership the UK needs as we look to strengthen energy security while supporting economic growth and digital innovation.”

Mark Lee, Chief Executive of Deep Green, said:

“Planning approval in Bradford is a major milestone – not just for Deep Green, but for a different kind of digital infrastructure. The UK needs more data centres. That’s a fact. But it does not need more waste.

“Our model is simple: use the electrons twice. First to power AI and high-performance computing. Then to heat homes and buildings. Bradford is showing what’s possible when digital infrastructure is designed around community benefit from day one.”

Deep Green selects sites based not only on power and fibre availability, but on the practical ability to reuse heat locally. By co-locating with heat demand (in this case the Bradford Energy Network) the company avoids the inefficiencies and infrastructure costs associated with transporting heat over long distances.

To explore connecting your building to the Bradford Energy Network, speak to the 1Energy team at: bradford@1energy.uk