Major Developments in Ayrshire
Large data centres and battery storage sites are being proposed and actioned across parts of Ayrshire, including Hurlford, Ochiltree and Irvine. These are major developments that could shape our landscape, energy use and local infrastructure for many years to come.
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This website has been set up to help local people understand what is being planned, what it could mean for our area, and how our communities can take part in decisions that affect us. Information here comes from planning portals, government policy documents, industry publications, academic research and third sector organisations.
What is being proposed?
Hurlford Hyperscale Data Centre
Plans have been put forward for a large data centre development near Hurlford. The project is still in early stages, but it would require significant power supply and infrastructure. It is part of The Stoics which will form one of the largest hyperscale data centres in the world. You can read more about this proposal here.
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Ochiltree Data Centre and Battery Storage
A second major proposal near Ochiltree includes both a data centre and a large battery energy storage site. This type of development is designed to support electricity demand and renewable energy supply.
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Irvine i3 1GW Data Centre
UK-based firm AI Pathfinder announced their proposal to develop the i3 site on the outskirts of Irvine. The Irvine site is part of a larger AI growth deal which is expected to require an investment of £15billion.
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Battery Storage Sites Across Ayrshire
Several large battery storage projects are also being developed in the wider Ayrshire area, including sites near Coylton and Kilmarnock (Kilmarnock BESS development and Zenobe BESS development).
Proposed AI Data Centres in Scotland
Click on the map to find out information on the capacity, stage of planning, developer. And each proposed site has a dedicated webpage with more information including maps and plans, links to planning documents, and contact details of local campaign groups. If any have been missed get in touch with APRS here
What are Data Centres and Battery Storage Sites?
Data centres are large buildings that store and process digital information. As demand grows, companies are building much bigger sites known as hyperscale data centres.
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Because of their size, hyperscale data centres need large amounts of electricity and cooling systems to keep equipment working safely. They can change the look of the surrounding area and may affect the local environment.
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Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are large battery sites connected to the electricity grid. They store electricity when lots is being produced and release it when demand is higher.
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Battery storage sites are also large industrial developments and can change how land is used. There are concerns about safety, particularly the risk of battery fires.
Google's data centre
Why we are concerned
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These are very large industrial developments which can change local areas for decades
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Hyperscale data centres need huge amounts of electricity which means new substations and power infrastructure
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Battery storage sites can be large and highly visible and can change how land is used
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They will impact the countryside and wildlife
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Even though modern sites include safety systems there are concerns about battery fires.
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Construction can bring traffic, noise and disruption
Who benefits?
Hyper data centres are not local digital infrastructure, and they are not required to deliver essential public services.
Communities are allowed to ask: who benefits, who bears the cost, and why here?
Asking for transparency on scale, energy demand, water use, land classification, and planning process is not anti-technology. It is basic democratic scrutiny.