A Guardian investigation has revealed that a flagship £8.2bn AI datacentre complex in Lanarkshire, Scotland, which the government promised would be powered entirely by on-site renewables, has no realistic prospect of meeting that goal. Internal documents obtained through freedom of information requests show that government officials and developers privately acknowledged the site had a power provision issue, even as they publicly claimed it would have up to 1GW of new energy infrastructure.
Project viability questioned
The AI datacentre complex, built by US firm CoreWeave and Scottish company DataVita, was announced in January as a cornerstone of Britain's AI ambitions. A central plank of its viability was the ability to power itself from renewable sources. However, the Guardian's analysis of public records and correspondence indicates that the site will likely need to connect to the national grid, either joining a years-long queue or being expedited ahead of hundreds of other projects.
A government spokesperson stated that the site's needs would still be met overwhelmingly with renewables, but the findings raise critical doubts about the UK's ability to provide the extraordinary energy required for AI infrastructure.
Energy claims vs. reality
DataVita claims the Lanarkshire site will be powered by over 1GW of renewable energy, including 400MW of solar and 800MW of wind. This exceeds the output of Whitelee, the UK's largest onshore windfarm, and is roughly enough to power 800,000 Scottish homes. However, there is no evidence that DataVita currently has such capacity. The company operates two much smaller datacentres drawing about 25MW from the grid and has not responded to inquiries about installed renewables.
Analysis by the charity Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) suggests DataVita's renewable plans would require 40 to 100 sq km of land, yet its current planning applications cover only about 2 sq km. DataVita claims to have over 1,000 acres (4 sq km) of renewables. An energy consultant reviewing the figures said, 'To go from nothing public to country's largest operational onshore windfarm in four years is pretty ambitious,' and concluded the 2030 deadline is unlikely to be met.
Government awareness and designation
Documents obtained through FOI requests suggest both the government and DataVita were aware of the power issues but proceeded with the AI growth zone designation anyway. In February, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney wrote to DataVita's managing director, acknowledging that 'power provision remains a key issue' and pledging to engage with the UK government for timely grid connections.
Internal communications also show that officials considered using gas to power the site, though DataVita said no fossil fuels would be used. The consultant said, 'It indicates that the AI growth zone designation is based more on optimistic and flashy promotional material than anything technically viable.'
Broader implications
The revelations cast doubt on the UK's AI strategy, which relies on massive infrastructure projects like Lanarkshire. Cecilia Rikap, an associate professor at University College London, said, 'Governments around the world, including in the UK, are making political promises that ignore the realities of building infrastructure. Instead of governing for their communities, they choose the AI narrative.'
An analyst for a UK engineering consultancy added, 'There doesn't seem to be appropriate scrutiny on these nationally significant projects. The figures and designs behind many schemes are at best indicative, and at worst complete bunk.'
DataVita stated that the energy strategy is based on new renewable generation and delivery subject to final commercial agreements and planning processes. A government spokesperson said the Lanarkshire AI growth zone is on track to be the biggest datacentre development in Scottish history, and the government is determined to create the right conditions for investment.
