Proposed Charlton data centre: generator noise estimates
DAGRA community information · Version 2 · October 2026
Indicative estimates only, not a formal acoustic assessment. They use enclosed-generator noise levels and the generator numbers in the EIA scoping report for GLi's scheme (approx. 40 and approx. 62). The location of the generator yard has not been published, so the source marker can be dragged.
Scenario
Enclosure

Estimated noise

55 dB(A): WHO daytime guideline for serious annoyance
Reached at from the source
40 dB(A): WHO night guideline (outside)
Reached at from the source
Click anywhere on the map for an estimate at that point. Drag the brown marker to test other generator positions.
How these figures are worked out

Level at distance r = enclosure level at 7 m + 10 × log10(number of generators) − 20 × log10(r ÷ 7). This assumes open ground with no screening, so it is a simple upper estimate close to the site. Beyond about 1 km, air absorption and buildings reduce levels, so those rings are shown dashed and are indicative only.

Enclosure levels: Jubaili Bros, generator noise control guidance (standard enclosures 70–75 dB(A) at 7 m; critical-grade 65 dB(A)). Generator numbers and testing (each generator tested individually: 5 minutes weekly, 1 hour monthly, 2 hours yearly): EIA scoping report for GLi's scheme (26/2370/EIA), sections 4.1 and 4.4. All generators run together only in a grid failure.

Cooling noise is continuous, 24 hours a day, but GLi has not published the number or type of cooling units, so it is not modelled here.