Our response to the Thames Valley Park data centre public consultation

We've responded to the public consultation on the proposed 72MW data centre at Thames Valley Park, which has massive energy and environmental implications for the local area.

We're not taking a for or against position on the scheme itself at this stage. Instead, we've set out what we believe any responsible development like this should commit to, so that if it goes ahead it benefits our community, rather than just consuming power from it.

Our key asks

• A clear energy and carbon strategy: clarity on the energy demand profile, the fuel cells proposed, the path away from fossil fuel use, and honest carbon accounting.
• Grid flexibility: designing in batteries and smart operation so the site supports the electricity grid instead of only straining it.
• Waste heat reuse: a funded feasibility study, going beyond the current vague intention, so heat from the site could warm local homes and buildings.
• Genuine community benefit: a locally governed fund that tackles fuel poverty and supports energy use reduction.
• Transparency: plain-English reporting so residents can see what's promised and what's delivered.

We've asked for an ongoing dialogue with the project team, Wokingham Borough Council and other local partners as this develops. Big infrastructure projects like this could play a constructive role in our local energy transition, but only with the right commitments from the start.

Our full response sets out all of this in detail.

Read our full response (PDF, 5 pages)

Be part of it

If you want to be part of building a positive energy future for Wokingham Borough, join Wokingham Energy Collective. Our main focus is on developing community-owned renewable energy, but we hope to also be a network to bring together local expertise and enthusiasm for anything involving energy and community benefit in the borough.