In a groundbreaking move, Lanarkshire has been designated as the UK’s newest AI Growth Zone, with the backing of the UK Government for a major expansion centered around DataVita’s data center site. This marks the first AI Growth Zone in Scotland, leveraging the region’s abundance of renewable power to establish a leading green data center hub.
The Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone, developed in partnership with AI cloud provider CoreWeave, is set to be based around DataVita’s campus. Unlike other sites that involve multiple data center operators, this zone will focus on a single expanded campus, aiming to create over 3,000 jobs, including 50 apprenticeships, and attract £8.2 billion in private investment.
The site will feature 100MW of AI-ready data center capacity, 1GW of renewable energy infrastructure, and ‘Innovation Parks’ to attract industries seeking large-scale compute proximity. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, plans include utilizing waste heat to support the nearby University Hospital Monklands and a community fund worth up to £543 million to benefit local programs and charities over the next 15 years.
