People in the UK seem mostly okay with having datacentres built in their communities, even though many don’t really grasp what server farms do. That’s the takeaway from a study commissioned by CyrusOne, a big player in colocation, which surveyed 13,000 individuals across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, and Germany, through a firm called Censuswide.
The report, “Listening to Communities,” reveals that many people in the UK have limited knowledge about datacentres. In fact, when presented with four definitions, the UK respondents were the least likely to choose the correct one.
This lack of understanding could pose a problem as the UK government pushes to increase datacentre numbers for economic growth. The report indicates that without a grasp of what datacentres actually do, it will be tough for people to see why expanding them is important for society and the economy.
On a positive note, the research shows that many UK residents recognize the benefits of datacentres, particularly when it comes to job creation and local economic contributions. The report suggests that operators can win community support by promoting economic growth and offering training and apprenticeship programs.
About 60% of surveyed UK residents would welcome a datacentre in their area, and this number jumps to 79% among those who already have one nearby. This indicates that while some resistance exists, it might not be as widespread as some think.
For example, the Hertsmere Borough Council recently approved plans for a datacentre called DC10UK, set to be one of the largest in Europe. However, there were concerns raised about the project’s impact on Green Belt Land, biodiversity, and local traffic. As the planning process unfolded, 408 objections and 177 supportive submissions were filed.
Emma Fryer from CyrusOne Europe noted that the results underscore the need for datacentre operators to highlight how their projects can benefit local communities. She emphasized that economic benefits resonate strongly with people, suggesting that operators should focus on these aspects in their outreach efforts.
Despite the low levels of awareness, attitudes towards datacentres are more positive than expected. This presents an opportunity for the industry to educate the public about the crucial role that datacentres play in our daily lives.
When asked about the technologies needed for digital services, fewer than half of the respondents connected datacentres to these functions. Matt Pullen from CyrusOne pointed out that while datacentres are foundational to modern life, many still don’t see their significance. This misunderstanding can breed mistrust, making it all the more essential for operators to inform the public about the value of these facilities.
Pullen emphasized that understanding public sentiment about datacentres is vital for ensuring the infrastructure needed by businesses and for delivering real benefits to the communities that host them. This was the motivation behind the survey and the reason for sharing the findings widely.