DataVita has altered its plans for a substantial artificial intelligence data center in Chapelhall, Scotland. The company announced that the facility will now be powered exclusively by the National Grid, a departure from its previous statements that the site would utilize 1GW of renewable energy capacity.
The company had initially promoted the Lanarkshire project as drawing power from green sources, an amount comparable to the output of a small nuclear reactor or Britain's largest wind farm. However, following inquiries, DataVita stated that the direct renewable energy arrangement was contingent on finalizing commercial agreements, planning procedures, and grid connection approvals. Under the revised plan, DataVita asserts that the electricity sourced from the National Grid will still be largely renewable, provided through a renewable electricity purchase agreement.
This development has drawn attention from environmental groups. Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, described the shift as emblematic of exaggerated claims made by data center developers. She noted that large AI data centers require a reliable grid power source, suggesting that such ambitious renewable energy targets are not always feasible.
The Chapelhall project is a key component of the UK's AI strategy, intended to establish an AI growth zone in Lanarkshire. DataVita has stated the development is expected to create 3,400 jobs and is supported by £202 million in state guarantees from the UK's National Wealth Fund. While DataVita maintains its commitment to renewable energy remains unchanged, the practical implementation has shifted from direct renewable connections to grid supply. The company has not ruled out future connections to proposed wind and solar farms in North Lanarkshire, but these are not part of the current design.