A COMPANY says it is to open a new data centre - which could employ up to 100 highly skilled jobs - early next year.

Next Generation Data is in the midsts of converting the former Hynix building into NGD Europe 1, and is due to begin operation by March 2009.

The ground floor of the complex will open first, employing 25 people - but by the time the site's three floors are fully operational it will employ 100.

The £200 million centre will house high speed data connections, hardware and software needed by organisations to run internet and other communications services.

Eight data halls, amounting to 150,000 square feet of space for computers, will be equipped as customers sign up.

Its hoped three or four data halls will be up and running by the end of 2009, and that the ground floor will be full in two to three years time, by which time it will employ around 30 to 35 people.

CEO Nick Razey said: “We have half a dozen in contractual negotiations,” he said. “One customer is finalised.”

He said customers could include telecoms companies, software firms and government businesses.

NDA Europe 1 will use 90 megawatts of power, enough to power all the homes in Merthyr Tydfil. The company is aiming to be a carbon neutral data centre by 2012.

Security is also a priority at the site, and the complex will include a perimeter security fence, three meter thick blastproof concrete wall and three security check points.

Director of operations Justin Jenkins said: “With some of the customers being government bodies, security is very important.”

There was much fanfare when Korean electronics firm LG announced its intention to create more than 6,000 jobs in Newport in 1996.

A total of £131 million was paid in aid but projects were never completed and less than half the jobs materialised.

The unused Celtic Way factory was later bought by Hynix.