The project, proposed by CX Tech, involves building a data center campus with a capacity of 1 GW near the former Chapelcross nuclear power plant in southern Scotland. The development is estimated at £16.5 billion, equivalent to $21.77 billion. The site spans 55 hectares and will feature eight buildings covering a total area of 162,000 square meters, supported by a dedicated substation.
Construction is planned to take place over eight years, from 2027 to 2035, pending regulatory approval this year. The land is currently managed by NDA Properties, a subsidiary of the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. The site previously hosted a 240 MW nuclear plant that operated from 1959 until 2004, and the area is currently undergoing decommissioning and cleanup.
CX Tech intends to power the facility entirely through renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and biomass generators. The cooling system will utilize a closed-loop design without water evaporation, and backup generators will run on green fuel. The company is also exploring options for waste heat recovery, leveraging the site's proximity to a 132 kV power line.
The proposal faces significant opposition, as the Scottish Green Party has urged authorities to reject the application. The project's future remains uncertain, as the Scottish Parliament has previously supported a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centers until new planning regulations are finalized. Regulators must now weigh the infrastructure benefits against environmental concerns.
