CR4 Supercomputer Preparation Project

The original facility comprised a single computer room and was reconfigured in 2003 to create Computer Rooms 1 and 2 (CR1 and CR2), together with associated plant rooms and office accommodation.

In 2013, the facility was extended to accommodate Computer Room 3 (CR3) and its dedicated plant infrastructure. CR3 currently hosts ARCHER2, the UK’s national supercomputing service delivered by EPCC on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

In December 2020, Computer Room 4 (CR4) was added as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, to support the Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF), part of the Data Driven Innovation Initiative. At the same time, the opportunity was taken for a new 30MVA power supply, substation, and switching building to be installed, significantly enhancing the site’s electrical capacity and resilience.

EPCC hosts several of the UK’s national supercomputing services on behalf of UKRI. ARCHER2, currently located in CR3, is the largest of these services. The next generation of supercomputers is expected to be approximately 50 times more powerful than ARCHER2, with correspondingly greater power and cooling requirements.

In summer 2025, EPCC were announced by the UK Government as the UK’s first National Supercomputing Centre. The ACF at Easter Bush is uniquely positioned to support this next generation due to sustained investment by the University of Edinburgh and through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

CR4 was designed to support world-class computing and data infrastructure. The existing 30MVA power supply provides the electrical capacity required for the next generation of supercomputing systems.

Following a comprehensive design and procurement process, an extension to CR4 and its related plant room has now started on site, in preparation for hosting the next National Supercomputing Service. This includes the construction of the extension and associated infrastructure upgrades to support the operation of the facility.

Externally, the northern part of the site will be re-landscaped, introducing mixed planting and biodiversity enhancements. The opportunity is also being taken to upgrade the water connection to the site, from Bush Loan, routed through the Technopole area to the ACF, providing supply to a new hydrant system and supporting the cooling requirements of the site.

The resultant facility will be one of the largest research-intensive computing facilities in Europe.