Lanarkshire AI datacentre to fully rely on National Grid despite renewables claim

DataVita, a key player in the UK's AI strategy, has changed its plans for a massive datacentre near Glasgow. Initially, the company pledged that the Lanarkshire project would be powered by 1GW of renewable energy, equivalent to the output of a small nuclear reactor or Britain's largest windfarm. However, after facing questions about the claim, DataVita admitted that the datacentre will be entirely reliant on the National Grid.

The company says its power supply will be largely renewable, but it is open to connecting solar and wind farms in the future. DataVita is receiving £202m in public funding through wealth guarantees. This shift in energy plans raises concerns for both DataVita and Britain's AI strategy, as the former prime minister Keir Starmer had planned to build numerous datacentres across the country with various incentives.

The AI datacentre industry is known for its massive energy consumption, and the high energy costs in Britain present challenges for these projects. Two significant AI investments in the UK are facing difficulties with power supply and high energy costs. DataVita maintains that its commitment to renewable energy remains unchanged, but they now design their datacentres to be grid served through renewable power purchase agreements.

A spokesperson for the company emphasized their commitment to renewable energy while acknowledging the need for a reliable grid connection. The change in direction highlights the challenges faced by hyperscale AI datacentres in Scotland, with director Kat Jones suggesting that these facilities cannot rely solely on renewable power due to their energy demands.