Plans for 550-megawatt AI centre with 2000 jobs at ex-Ravenscraig steelworks
Developers hope the proposals will bring thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds of inward investment to the area.
Edinburgh and York-based renewable energy developer Apatura has proposed to develop a major data centre with battery energy storage on 160 acres at the post-industrial site, located in central Scotland, less than 20km east of Glasgow.
It will be powered by 550 megawatts of grid connections due to come online by 2030.
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Ravenscraig is one of five sites Apatura is progressing across Scotland's central belt. The developer has said it would be a "green AI data centre," using constrained wind and solar generation that's "often wasted on windy, sunny days".
The Ravenscraig Steelworks closed in 1992, and is now one of Europe's largest brownfield regeneration and community creation initiatives.
Apatura is working closely with North Lanarkshire Council and site owners Ravenscraig Ltd to advance the proposal.
It is estimated the project will cost £3.9 billion to build and an independent socio-economic study calculated that the centre would contribute an additional 0.4% to Scotland's annual GDP once operational, with construction activity delivering a one-off £1.2bn GVA (gross value added) boost, supporting over 16,000 job years across Scotland.
The ongoing annual GVA contribution is estimated at £729 million, supporting 2399 long-term jobs (direct, indirect, and induced).
Commenting on the bid, Apatura CEO Giles Hanglin said: 'This proposal plays strongly to Scotland's strengths – in green energy, in AI, in education and in skills – and would complement the country's significant capabilities in big data and research.
'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 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.
'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,' Wilkie said.
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.
Strategically positioned within the Ravenscraig masterplan and with direct access to both the M74 and M8 motorways, SevenFourEight is a key industrial and business centre in Scotland's central belt.
Ravenscraig has secured support from North Lanarkshire Council over the years, including a new £74 million access road being delivered by the council.
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