Ravenscraig site could become AI data centre in £3bn plan

Developer Apatura say the £3.9bn proposal would create around 2400 jobs

Ravenscraig could be turned into one of the UK's biggest green AI data centres, under new plans put forward by a renewable energy developer.

The former steelworks would become a data centre with battery energy storage, using a "supply of renewables".

Developer Apatura say the £3.9bn proposal would create around 2400 jobs, of which 1044 would be permanent North Lanarkshire jobs, with 440 considered onsite roles.

An independent socio-economic study calculated the centre would contribute an additional 0.4% to Scotland's annual GDP once in use.

The plan is currently being considered by the UK government for support via its AI Growth Zone initiative, aimed at identifying the best sites in Britain for AI projects.

Apatura CEO Giles Hanglin said the company hoped to confirm Scotland as "a powerhouse of green, AI-enabled digital infrastructure" with benefits at national and local level.

He 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."

The centre would be on the site of the former Ravenscraig works

The estimated jobs total of 2399 combines direct, indirect, and induced roles.

Apatura believe the plan - being developed with North Lanarkshire Council and site owners Ravenscraig Ltd - could help reduce grid congestion and cut consumer bills.

It forms part of the local authority's masterplan for the site, which aimed to bring housing, schools and businesses to the land.

However that initiative ran into controversy in 2021 when families living in new homes furiously objected to plans to use the land for a major industrial site instead of previously proposed shops.

During the coronavirus pandemic the site was transformed into a mass vaccine centre that lasted throughout the height of the pandemic.

The data centre would take over the site to the east of the Wishaw Deviation freight railway line, and vacant employment land, known as SevenFourEight.

Russell Wilkie, the 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."

Ravenscraig is one of five AI-ready sites the developer is progressing across Scotland's central belt.