Plans have been unveiled to transform the former Ravenscraig steelworks in North Lanarkshire into one of the UK’s largest green AI data centres, in a £3.9 billion proposal led by renewable energy developer Apatura. The project promises to create thousands of jobs and deliver a major boost to Scotland’s economy, while harnessing surplus renewable energy to power cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
A Green Digital Powerhouse
The proposed data centre would be built on a 160-acre site at Ravenscraig, once the largest hot strip steel mill in western Europe. The facility is designed to use 550 megawatts of grid connections, expected to be available by 2030, and will include extensive battery energy storage. This approach aims to make use of surplus wind and solar energy that would otherwise go to waste due to grid constraints.
“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,” said Apatura CEO Giles Hanglin. “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.”
Economic and Social Impact
According to an independent socio-economic analysis, the construction phase alone would deliver a one-off £1.2 billion boost to the economy and support the equivalent of 16,000 job years across Scotland. Once operational, the data centre is projected to support 2,399 long-term jobs – of which 1,044 would be permanent roles in North Lanarkshire, including 440 onsite positions – and add £729 million in annual gross value added (GVA). The project is expected to increase Scotland’s annual GDP by 0.4%.
Russell Wilkie, director of Ravenscraig, described the initiative as “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 master plan to meet the UK’s AI infrastructure needs. This multibillion 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.”
Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke MP Pamela Nash also welcomed the plans, stating: “Ravenscraig stands ready for the next chapter, a world-class digital and AI hub powered by Scotland’s renewable strength, creating thousands of local jobs during construction, driving billions in economic value, and transforming post-industrial land into the beating heart of a green, future-ready economy. This is the kind of joined up thinking and forward-looking delivery the UK needs. It’s not just about building infrastructure, it’s about rebuilding prosperity, restoring pride, and delivering a new era of sustainable industry. I look forward to seeing Ravenscraig lead the way.”
Reducing Grid Costs and Supporting Regeneration
The data centre is positioned as part of the solution to the UK’s growing grid constraint payments, which cost nearly £1 billion last year and are forecast to rise to £3 billion by 2030. By locating data centres in areas with excess renewable capacity, such as Ravenscraig, the project could help reduce these costs and support the wider transition to a green economy.
The initiative is part of North Lanarkshire Council’s broader masterplan for the area, which also includes new housing, educational institutions, and businesses. Apatura is working with the council and site owner Ravenscraig Ltd to advance the proposal, which has been submitted for consideration under the UK government’s AI Growth Zone programme. The outcome of this selection process is expected later this year.
Community Response and Next Steps
While the project is being hailed as transformational, it has faced some community opposition in the past. In 2021, residents of newly built homes protested against the shift from planned retail spaces to a large-scale industrial development. The site also served as a mass vaccination centre during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ravenscraig is one of five AI-ready sites Apatura is progressing across Scotland’s central belt, with more than 1.6 gigawatts of confirmed grid connections. If approved, the Ravenscraig data centre would mark a significant step in the UK’s efforts to become a leader in sustainable AI infrastructure.
