News · 2 March 2026
Ayrshire data centre plans divide local people
Energy firm ILI Group proposes a large artificial intelligence data centre in Hurlford, East Ayrshire, near HMP Kilmarnock. The facility would span about 100 hectares and could become one of the biggest AI data centres worldwide. Supporters anticipate local employment and financial benefits, but residents are concerned about its wider impact and the firm's lack of details. These developments are part of a global surge in data centre construction, raising concerns about high energy and water consumption.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs