DataVita Revises 1GW Lanarkshire AI Datacentre Plan to Run on Grid, Not Direct Renewables
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 7
DataVita Revises 1GW Lanarkshire AI Datacentre Plan to Run on Grid, Not Direct Renewables
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 7
Summary
DataVita said its Lanarkshire AI datacentres will be “fully grid served,” retreating from an earlier pledge to supply more than 1GW through direct wind, solar and battery links.
The shift came after scrutiny of the renewables claim; the company now says its grid electricity will be backed by a renewable power purchase agreement, while future solar and wind connections remain only a possibility.
The reversal matters because the project is a flagship of the UK’s AI strategy and still carries £202 million in public wealth guarantees, even as Britain faces long grid-connection waits and high power costs.
DataVita had said the development could create 3,400 jobs around a 500MW datacentre near Chapelhall, but critics say the change underscores how hard hyperscale AI sites are to run on renewables alone.