From Coal to Cloud: Why Amazon’s Move into Didcot Is Big News for Contractors
Something big is quietly happening in Didcot.
On land that once powered homes across the UK, Amazon is preparing to build one of its next major data centres and with it comes years of construction activity, specialist contractors, engineers, consultants and project teams arriving in the area.
If you work in construction, infrastructure, engineering, IT installation or specialist trades, this is one development worth paying attention to. We offer high-quality short-term rentals in and around Didcot, ideally suited for professionals working on this project. Providing comfortable, flexible accommodation close to the site for both short and extended stays.
A Landmark Site, Reimagined
The former Didcot A Power Station is a site with serious history. Opened in 1970, it was once capable of generating 1,440MW of electricity, supplying power to millions of homes. After closing in 2013, the vast coal and oil plant was demolished between 2014 and 2020, leaving behind a prime, well-connected industrial site in Oxfordshire.
Now, the site is about to begin a new chapter.
German energy company RWE has sold the idle Didcot A site for approximately $265 million, and while the buyer was initially unnamed, industry analysts and recent planning documents now point clearly to Amazon. More specifically, the buyer is understood to be Amazon Data Services, part of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Years in the Making
This isn’t a sudden move. As far back as 2021, Amazon (using the name Willow Developments LLC) submitted planning proposals to develop two data centre buildings on the site. The Vale of White Horse District Council approved those plans in July 2021 and then, seemingly, everything went quiet.
Behind the scenes, however, plans have evolved. Over the past few months, new planning applications have been submitted under the Amazon Data Services name. These now outline a revised scheme involving:
- Full demolition of remaining structures
- Extensive site clearance works
- Construction of a single, large data centre building
- The project is currently in public consultation, with a target decision date of 3 March 2026.
In other words: groundwork, enabling works and phased construction are very much on the horizon.
Why This Matters for Contractors
Large-scale data centre projects don’t happen overnight. They typically involve multi-year construction programmes, rotating specialist teams, and a wide range of trades; from groundworks and steel to M&E, fit-out, commissioning and ongoing support.
For contractors and consultants, that often means:
- Fixed-term placements
- Project-based roles lasting weeks or months
- Split working between sites
- A need for comfortable, flexible accommodation rather than hotels
Didcot is perfectly placed. With fast rail links to Oxford, Reading and London, plus easy road access across Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley, it’s an ideal base for regional project teams.
Didcot’s Growing Tech & Infrastructure Story
The Amazon project is part of a wider trend. Across the UK, AWS has been quietly expanding its data centre footprint, with developments linked to locations such as Bracknell, Swindon, Hayes, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Didcot site strengthens Oxfordshire’s position as a key infrastructure and technology hub.
For contractors, this means sustained demand – not just for labour, but for places to live while projects are delivered.
Looking for Short-Term Accommodation Near Didcot?
As this development gathers pace, demand for high-quality short-term accommodation around Didcot, Oxford and surrounding villages is expected to rise.
Many contractors now prefer:
- Fully furnished homes
- Flexible lengths of stay
- Space to work and unwind
- Easy parking and transport links
It’s a far more practical (and comfortable) alternative to long hotel stays, especially for extended projects.
Final Thought
Didcot A once powered the UK with coal.Soon, it may help power the world’s cloud. For contractors, engineers and project teams, this shift brings real opportunity, not just in work, but in how and where you stay while delivering it.
If you’re heading to Didcot for an upcoming project, it’s worth planning ahead. The quiet transformation has already begun. Explore our short-term rentals in and around Didcot, or contact our bookings team on 01993 222 200 or send us a message.
