Infrastructure Market: Scottish AI Data Centre Faces Unrealistic Green Energy Promise

The UK government's flagship AI data centre project in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is at risk because its pledge to run entirely on renewable energy is unrealistic, according to a Guardian report. The £8.2 billion (€9.6 billion) project, developed by DataVita and CoreWeave, aims to be completed by 2030 and promises more than 1 gigawatt of renewable power from 400 MW solar and 800 MW wind. However, Guardian analysis based on data from Action to Protect Rural Scotland indicates the project would require 40 to 100 square kilometres of land, while submitted planning applications cover only about two square kilometres. Plans by parent HfD Group for up to 19 wind turbines would deliver just 5% of promised capacity. The National Energy System Operator has confirmed Lanarkshire currently has no secured grid connection. The government has shifted its language to say the centre would be supplied 'predominantly' by renewables.