Plans for Gigantic Data Center at Former Nuclear Site Spark Controversy

Plans have been submitted for a £16.5 billion data center at the site of the former Chapelcross nuclear plant in the south of Scotland, with developers claiming the scheme could deliver more than 500 full-time jobs and be one of the largest in the world by power capacity.

CX Tech Ltd, the applicant, hopes to begin construction next year, with the project expected to take eight years to complete. The company states the project aligns with efforts to redevelop the site, which operated as a nuclear power plant from 1959 until 2004. Defueling was completed in 2013, and demolition of remaining structures is not anticipated until at least 2040, with final site clearance expected by 2095.

A planning statement on behalf of CX Tech argues the scheme will provide "critical digital infrastructure" and return a "nationally significant site to productive economic use." The company projects supporting up to 750 jobs during construction and approximately 540 operational roles, along with hundreds of indirect positions.

Opposition and Concerns

Despite the developer's projections, a local campaign has emerged against the plans. Approximately 1,000 people have signed a petition expressing concerns that the data center could strain the energy grid, leading to significant increases in household electricity bills. Campaigners also fear the "large scale industrialisation" of the area will obstruct and destroy scenic countryside views, leading to the loss of agricultural land and woodland.

The proposed data center's capacity of 1000MW is reportedly larger than any data center currently operating globally. Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) has stated that the majority of the proposed site is greenfield land, not brownfield, and has raised further concerns regarding air pollution, waste, and climate impacts, while questioning the employment figures provided by the developer. APRS estimates the energy needs of the facility would be equivalent to powering approximately 2.2 million households.

Laura Moodie, Scottish Green MSP for South Scotland, described the application as one of the most "seriously concerning" data center proposals to date. She argued that while Chapelcross, a decommissioned brownfield site, would be suitable, the current proposal is "reckless" and risks the energy supply and natural environment. Moodie called for the application's rejection due to the potential risks to the energy grid and rural communities.

The Scottish government is expected to release national guidance for local authorities on such projects within the next three months. Earlier in the month, the government rejected a call from the Scottish Greens to pause the application process for data centers until these new guidelines are in place, but stated that no planning decisions would be made before their publication by Christmas.