DataVita originally promised to deliver over 1GW of direct green power using dedicated private wire connections to local solar, wind, and battery assets. The revised strategy for the 500MW facility instead relies entirely on standard grid supply offset by power purchase agreements, with direct renewable links relegated to potential future phases. Designed to bring 3,400 jobs to the region, the project illustrates the structural obstacles confronting national digital expansion plans. Across the country, developers are grappling with high energy prices and prolonged queue times to obtain reliable power.
Key points
Hyperscale computing facilities face practical operational realities that force reliance…: Hyperscale computing facilities face practical operational realities that force reliance on the National Grid despite ambitious green energy targets.
The UK's broader artificial intelligence strategy remains heavily constrained by steep do…: The UK's broader artificial intelligence strategy remains heavily constrained by steep domestic energy costs and extended delays for transmission connections.
Two other major British AI initiatives are facing comparable scrutiny regarding their sta…: Two other major British AI initiatives are facing comparable scrutiny regarding their stated capacity to self-generate reliable power supplies.
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A datacentre company that said it would power a massive AI development near Glasgow with renewable energy has admitted that the scheme will be entirely served by the National Grid.
DataVita, a key plank of the UK’s AI strategy, had promised that the Lanarkshire project would draw 1GW – the equivalent output of a small nuclear reactor, or Britain’s largest windfarm – from green sources. But when the Guardian raised questions about the pledge, it said the arrangement was “subject to final commercial agreements, planning, grid and consenting processes”.
Now, the company, which says its proposals would transform the economy of the village of Chapelhall, outside Airdrie, has quietly revised the plan. It now says the datacentres will be “fully grid served” with the possibility that solar and windfarms “could connect in the future”.
DataVita says the power it draws from the grid will be largely renewable energy. The company remains in receipt of £202m of public money in the form of wealth guarantees from Britain’s national wealth fund.
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