CX Tech Ltd has applied to build a £16.5bn, 1,000MW data centre at the former Chapelcross nuclear site in south Scotland, saying it could create around 540 permanent jobs and up to 750 roles during construction. Opponents—including Action to Protect Rural Scotland and a local petition—warn the scheme would largely use greenfield land, dominate the landscape and place major demands on local energy supplies (estimated at roughly 2.2 million households' worth). The Scottish Government is preparing national guidance for councils, and ministers have indicated no large AI data-centre consents will be granted before Christmas.
£16.5bn, 1,000MW Data Centre Proposed for Former Chapelcross Site — Jobs Promise Meets Local Concern
Developers say the project would represent a £15.6bn investment [CX TECH]
A planning application has been submitted for a £16.5 billion data centre at the former Chapelcross nuclear power station in Dumfries and Galloway, south Scotland. The applicant, CX Tech Ltd, says the scheme would be one of the largest in the world by power capacity and could deliver substantial local economic benefits if approved.
Project Overview
Scale and timetable: CX Tech proposes a 1,000MW facility at an estimated cost of £16.5bn. The company says construction could begin as early as next year and would take roughly eight years to complete.
Jobs: The planning statement projects the build phase could support up to 750 jobs, with around 540 direct roles once operational and hundreds more in indirect positions. The developer describes the plan as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to combine renewable energy, digital infrastructure and high-value employment.
Site History
The Chapelcross power station operated from 1959 until 2004. Its distinctive cooling towers were demolished a few years after closure and the reactors were defuelled by 2013. Some remaining buildings are not expected to be removed until at least 2040, with final site clearance currently scheduled as late as 2095.
Chapelcross operated as a nuclear power plant for 45 years [Getty Images]
Local Reaction and Concerns
Local campaigners and conservation groups have raised strong objections. About 1,000 people have signed a petition opposing the project, arguing it could strain the grid and push up household energy bills. Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) says the proposed centre's 1,000MW capacity would exceed that of any data centre currently operating worldwide and estimates its energy needs could be equivalent to roughly 2.2 million households.
Opponents also warn the development would largely sit on greenfield land rather than previously developed brownfield sites, harm rural views, result in loss of agricultural land and woodland, and pose potential air pollution, waste and climate impacts. Some campaigners describe the proposal as unacceptable "large-scale industrialisation" of the area and have questioned the developer's employment projections.
Policy and Next Steps
The Scottish Government is due to publish national guidance for councils on large data centre proposals within the coming months, and MSPs have been told that no consents for large AI data centres will be granted before Christmas while ministers and regulators consider national policy and planning guidance.
Graeme Anderson, CEO of CX Tech: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Dumfries and Galloway and for Scotland. Chapelcross has the potential to bring together our renewable energy strengths, digital infrastructure and high-value jobs in a way that few other sites can."
The planning application will be considered by local planning authorities as national guidance is finalised. Public consultation and scrutiny of environmental, visual and grid impact assessments are expected to play a key role in the approval process.
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