Lanarkshire AI datacentre to fully rely on national grid despite renewables claim

DataVita has revised plan for Chapelhall development’s 1GW power requirement to be wholly drawn from renewable energy

A datacentre company that said it would power a massive AI development near Glasgow with renewable energy has admitted that the scheme will be entirely served by the national grid.

DataVita, a key plank of the UK’s AI strategy, had promised that the Lanarkshire project would draw 1GW – the equivalent output of a small nuclear reactor, or Britain’s largest windfarm – from green sources. But when the Guardian raised questions about the pledge, it said the arrangement was “subject to final commercial agreements, planning, grid and consenting processes”.