UK AI datacentre to rely on National Grid, not renewables as promised
DataVita revises plans for Lanarkshire project after questions raised about renewable energy commitment.
At a glance
- DataVita's Lanarkshire datacentre will be powered entirely by the National Grid
- The company had previously promised 1GW of renewable energy for the project
- The revised arrangement is conditional on commercial agreements and regulatory approvals
- The development is described as a key element of the UK's AI strategy
DataVita, a company central to the UK's artificial intelligence strategy, has acknowledged that its planned datacentre near Glasgow will draw power entirely from the National Grid rather than renewable sources as previously stated.
The company had pledged that the Chapelhall development would be powered by 1GW of green energy. When questioned about the commitment, DataVita said the arrangement remained subject to final commercial agreements, planning approvals and grid consenting processes.
Why it matters
The shift highlights the challenge of meeting renewable energy commitments for large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those supporting the UK's artificial intelligence ambitions.
Original reporting
- The Guardian — WorldLanarkshire AI datacentre to fully rely on National Grid despite renewables claim
- The Guardian — BusinessLanarkshire AI datacentre to fully rely on National Grid despite renewables claim
This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.
