Stellium Data Centre Campus Newcastle

Colo-X analysis

The Stellium Newcastle data centre campus comprises three 8MW buildings of which one is now in use (2020) with one of the four 2MW data halls live and in production.  In the existing data hall retail colocation options are available from standard racks or caged areas with competitive and flexible pricing options as the relatively new operator seeks to gain traction in the market. For larger users the balance of three 2MW data halls can be quickly provisioned or two dedicated buildings of 8MW each can be built out on longer lead times.

Network access set to improve as the Aqua Comms North Sea Connect cable system goes live in late 2020, offering direct access to both Denmark and Norway, as well as the AEC1 and 2 transatlantic legs, making Stellium a unique UK data centre with direct access to these systems. For UK network a 40km network of pre-constructed duct offers direct access to the local BT Exchanges as well as Zayo and BSO/IXReach now being live on site.

Stellium Campus Newcastle facility description

Originally launched as Cobalt and somewhat caught up in a high-profile tax avoidance scheme which didn’t work out as planned(!), Stellium came to the market in late 2016, backed by Noel Meaney who was one of the original founders of Irish data centre operator Citadel100.  The original 8MW building is in use with one of the four 2MW halls available as fitted out space with potential for two more similar sized buildings on the campus.

In November 2019 Stellium raised £30m from Tiger Infrastructure Partners and announced that the Aqua Comms operated North Sea Connect cable system, running from Newcastle to Denmark will be housed in their facility and was forecast to be live by the end of 2019, but we believe from calls with the company that the system should be live by the end of 2020.  A second leg to Norway is due to be constructed as well.

The freehold of the Stellium Newcastle campus was acquired by FTSE250 investment trust Digital9 Infrastructure plc (DGI9) for £15m in December 2021 and the site is now leased to Stellium on a 25 year term. DGI9 also own Aqua Comms and the 6MW London data centre originally known as Volta, but now Verne London.

The data centre is built to Tier 3 standards and is IS27001 certified, with 4 halls of 2MW or 1066 square metres each.  Building 2 is slightly smaller at 3600 sq m in total and building 3 offering 2400.  The 3 buildings therefore offer 11,000 sq m of technical space across 12 individual data halls.  The campus power connections are in place for 80MVA with scope up to 120MW, so Stellium are clearly aiming for large scale wholesale buyers as well as retail.

Aside from the Aqua Comms system network choice is now improving.  Stellium has built 40km of diversely routed subduct to two nearby BT exchanges where all national carriers can be connected.  Both Zayo and IXReach are now live on (Sept 2020).

The Stellium data centre campus is located about 7 miles north-east of Newcastle city centre adjacent to the A19 and about two miles north of the Tyne Tunnel.

Technical stats