Could Scotland supply water and power for AI centres

18th September 2025

Scotland is exceptionally well-positioned to support AI data centres—both in terms of renewable energy and water availability.

Scotland’s Power Potential for AI
Renewable Energy Surplus: In 2022, Scotland generated 113% of its electricity needs from renewables—mostly wind and hydro.

Wind Power: Over 11 GW of wind capacity, making up nearly 40% of the UK’s total.

Grid Advantage: Being close to generation sites reduces transmission losses and improves sustainability.

Cool Climate: Reduces the need for energy-intensive cooling systems in data centres.

Water Availability
Natural Abundance: Scotland has high rainfall and extensive freshwater resources, especially compared to water-stressed regions like South East England.

Cooling Efficiency: Cooler ambient temperatures mean less evaporative water loss during server cooling.

Policy Readiness: The Scottish Government has launched a Green Data Centres Vision and Action Plan, identifying suitable sites with water and energy access.

Why It Hasn’t Happened Yet
Location Bias: 80% of UK data centres are still in London.

Infrastructure Lag: Scotland’s grid and fibre backbone need upgrades to support hyperscale AI workloads.

Market Momentum: Investors are only now pivoting north as southern capacity hits limits.

Scotland could absolutely become a powerhouse for AI infrastructure—clean, cool, and resource-rich. If the UK wants to meet its Net Zero goals while scaling AI, shifting investment northward might be the smartest move yet