Ravenscraig Site Set to Become £3.9bn Green AI Data Centre in Scotland

Ravenscraig site could become green AI data centre in £3bn plan

"We've secured the land and grid, and we're already working closely with relevant organisations locally and nationally to make sure the benefits are widely felt." The estimated jobs total of 2399 combines direct, indirect, and induced roles. Apatura believe the plan - being developed with North Lanarkshire Council and site owners Ravenscraig Ltd - could help reduce grid congestion and cut consumer bills. It forms part of the local authority's masterplan for the site, which aimed to bring housing, schools and businesses to the land. However that initiative ran into controversy in 2021 when families living in new homes furiously objected to plans to use the land for a major industrial site instead of previously proposed shops. During the coronavirus pandemic the site was transformed into a mass vaccine centre that lasted throughout the height of the pandemic. The data centre would take over the site to the east of the Wishaw Deviation freight railway line, and vacant employment land, known as SevenFourEight. Russell Wilkie, the director of Ravenscraig, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for Ravenscraig to be at the forefront of green data centres which will transform Scotland's renewable power capabilities. "With grid connections in place, land secured, and a delivery team aligned, we have a fully viable site within the Ravenscraig masterplan to meet the UK's AI infrastructure needs." Ravenscraig is one of five AI-ready sites the developer is progressing across Scotland's central belt.

Plans unveiled for AI data centre at Ravenscraig

Plans have been unveiled to turn part of Ravenscraig into what could become one of the UK's largest green data centres. The proposal has been put forward by Edinburgh and York-based renewable energy developer Apatura, which would develop battery energy storage on 160 acres at the post-industrial site less than 20km east of Glasgow. It would be powered by 550 megawatts of grid connections due to come online by 2030. Ravenscraig is one of five AI-ready sites Apatura is progressing across Scotland's central belt, backed by more than 1.6GW of confirmed grid connections. Once home to the Ravenscraig Steelworks, which closed in 1992, the site is now one of Europe's largest brownfield regeneration and community creation initiatives, with a masterplan focused on sustainable growth. Apatura is working with North Lanarkshire Council and the site owners to advance its plans. Last month, Apatura put forward Ravenscraig as a candidate in the UK Government's AI Growth Zone initiative, which is now under consideration by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology. The process is designed to identify the very best sites in Britain in what is becoming a global race for AI supremacy. The site has not yet been selected and the bid remains under review. It is estimated the project will cost £3.9bn to build and an independent economic study calculated that it would contribute an additional 0.4% to Scotland's annual GDP once operational. Construction activity could deliver a one-off £1.2 billion gross value added boost, with an annual GVA contribution is estimated at £729m, supporting 2,399 direct, indirect and induced jobs. Apatura chief executive Giles Hanglin said: "We've secured the land and grid, and we're already working closely with relevant organisations locally and nationally to make sure the benefits are widely felt. "If we were selected as an AI Growth Zone it would be a significant endorsement of our ambition to make Scotland a powerhouse of green, AI-enabled digital infrastructure - starting with Ravenscraig and extending across the central belt." Russell Wilkie, director of Ravenscraig, said: "This multi-billion pound investment project is a platform for national progress, combining energy, digital infrastructure, and regional innovation to create tangible economic and social benefits for Scotland and for the wider UK economy." Development is also earmarked for the site to the east of the Wishaw Deviation freight railway line, and the remaining vacant employment land, known as SevenFourEight. Pamela Nash, MP for Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke, added: "Ravenscraig stands ready for the next chapter, a world-class digital and AI hub powered by Scotland's renewable strength, creating thousands of local jobs during construction, driving billions in economic value, and transforming post-industrial land into the beating heart of a green, future-ready economy. "It's not just about building infrastructure, it's about rebuilding prosperity, restoring pride and delivering a new era of sustainable industry." Ravenscraig has secured support from North Lanarkshire Council over the years, including a new £74m access road. Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.