Eclipse Power Optimise and Carlton Power have signed a joint development agreement to build Future Point Manchester, a 1.4 GW energy park in Carrington, Greater Manchester, designed to host what could become one of Europe’s largest hyperscale data centre campus.
Under the plan, Future Point Manchester will connect to the national grid in 2028 via a bilateral link that requires no upstream reinforcement. More than 500 MW of on-site low-carbon generation is also slated for the park, giving prospective operators an extra layer of resilience at a time when grid-connection delays are stretching well into the 2030s for many large users.
The developers say the project could unlock £10.7 billion in private capital during construction and deliver £1.8 billion a year to the UK economy once operational, while supporting over 3,000 data-enabled jobs across the North.
The agreement formalises Eclipse’s role in designing and operating the private electricity network alongside Carlton’s experience in power generation assets, including the neighbouring Carrington CCGT plant and the emerging Trafford Low Carbon Energy Park.
“Hyperscale developments are essential if the UK is to deliver on the Government’s AI Growth Zone strategy,” said Alex Howison, Director of Development at Eclipse Power Optimise.
“Working together, Carlton and Eclipse are creating an energy park fit for the UK’s ambitions, with the resources and facilities to attract leading hyperscale clients.
“Manchester already offers world class digital connectivity, with direct links to transatlantic and pan-European fibre networks. It’s home to a thriving digital ecosystem, attracting global hyperscalers such as Microsoft, AWS, Google and Meta. We’re incredibly excited to be building critically important infrastructure that the sector – and region – needs to thrive.”
Keith Clarke, Founder and CEO of Carlton Power, added, “The availability of reliable, significant power supply is the defining requirement for hyperscale data infrastructure. The partnership between Carlton and Eclipse ensures that Future Point Manchester will be designed, built and managed by sector leaders, who together bring vast experience and expertise in power generation and power networks.”
