Scottish AI project misrepresented renewable energy plans, report finds

Created at 6 Jul · 7:10 AM2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events

IN SHORT

A report reveals that a planned AI datacentre complex in Scotland, promoted as being powered by on-site renewables, is instead expected to connect to the national grid. Local residents fear negative impacts on their properties and green belt land.

Key Numbers

1GWDataVita's stated power requirement for datacentres

44 sq kmEstimated land needed for DataVita's power parks

£543mPlanned community fund injection

Who's Involved

Diane Davidson

Newarthill resident expressing concerns about the datacentre

CoreWeave

US company developing the AI datacentre complex

DataVita

Arm of a Glasgow real-estate firm involved in the AI growth zone

Oakes Energy Services

Company that approached residents with offers

Locogen

Company that submitted a planning application for an adjacent solar farm

Meghan Gallacher

Member of the Scottish parliament questioning the company's honesty

William Whitelaw

Late Tory minister whose daughters owned land previously targeted for development

Graeme Souness

Former Scotland football player involved in a previous luxury housing development proposal

↳ Why This Matters

The situation highlights potential misrepresentations in large-scale infrastructure projects, raising concerns about community impact, environmental promises, and the transparency of AI development initiatives. It also underscores the significant land and energy demands of AI datacentres.

Key facts

A Scottish AI project's promise of on-site renewable energy for its datacentre has been misrepresented, according to a report.
The AI growth zone in Lanarkshire, developed by CoreWeave and DataVita, is now expected to connect to the national grid rather than relying solely on local renewables.
Residents in the nearby village of Newarthill fear negative impacts on their properties and green belt land.
Initial offers of sweeteners like free solar panels or cash for properties were made to residents by Oakes Energy Services.
The planned community fund of up to £543m is contingent on future DataVita revenues and is not currently funded.

A planned AI datacentre complex in Lanarkshire, Scotland, has drawn criticism following revelations that its renewable energy promises may have been misrepresented. Initially presented as a project that would be largely powered by on-site solar farms, the development by US company CoreWeave and DataVita is now expected to connect to the national grid.

Residents in the nearby village of Newarthill have expressed fears about the project's scale, potential impact on their properties, and the loss of green belt land. Local people reported being approached by Oakes Energy Services with offers of solar panels, tree planting, or cash for their homes, which they perceived as attempts to quell opposition.

While the government announced the area as an "AI growth zone" with promises of thousands of high-value jobs and a substantial community fund, concerns are mounting. The Guardian investigation found that DataVita's plans for 1GW of power from energy parks would require significantly more land than currently appears available. DataVita stated that all proposals are subject to planning legislation and public processes.

Local representatives, including Scottish Parliament member Meghan Gallacher, have raised doubts about the transparency and honesty of the companies involved in engaging with residents. The community fund, announced at up to £543m, is reportedly not yet funded and is planned to be derived from future DataVita revenues.

Frequently asked questions

The primary criticism is that the project's promise of being powered by on-site renewable energy appears to have been misrepresented, with the development now expected to connect to the national grid.

Residents fear negative impacts on their properties, loss of green belt land, and a lack of tangible benefits from the AI datacentre development.

The project involves US company CoreWeave and DataVita, an arm of a Glasgow real-estate firm.

The £543m community fund is planned to be financed by future DataVita revenues and is not currently funded.

What Happens Next

01DataVita's proposals are subject to local and national planning legislation.

02Further public engagement and feedback are expected throughout the planning process.

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Cadence

How It Developed

A Scottish AI project's promise of on-site renewables for its power needs is unlikely to be met.

Representatives of Oakes Energy Services approached Newarthill residents with offers of solar panels, tree planting, or cash for properties.

The government designated Lanarkshire as an AI growth zone for a multibillion-pound development by CoreWeave and DataVita.

The project involves building AI datacentres requiring vast amounts of energy and land.

Concerns arose among residents about the land requirements potentially encroaching on their area.

A Guardian investigation found that plans for the AI growth zone appear to misrepresent intentions regarding renewable energy.

The government and DataVita initially stated the site would use 'on-site' renewable energy but later admitted it would connect to the national grid.

DataVita stated it would have 1GW of power from connected energy parks, requiring an estimated 44 sq km of land, but currently appears to have less than a tenth of this.

Sources

Revealed: landmark Scottish AI project has no prospect of meeting renewables promiseThe Guardian

‘It’s smoke and mirrors’: hope turns to fear in Scottish village chosen for AI datacentreThe Guardian