These growth zones will speed up planning permission to rapidly build AI infrastructure including data centres and give them the energy connections needed to power AI innovations in areas like healthcare.
Local and regional authorities across the country are being called on to put their communities forward to become dedicated hotbeds for AI infrastructure development.
Today’s invitation for expression of interest also extends to AI data centre companies and energy firms. They are being called on to set out: timelines and development milestones that detail how they will plan to ramp up energy capacity; partnership opportunities with local authorities.
Science and Technology minister Peter Kyle said that interest was already building for promising sites in Scotland, Wales, the North East, and North West, with further exploratory work now set to begin on additional locations across the UK.
As part of this, the government will work with network operators to rapidly scale each zone to 500MW+, enough to power roughly two million homes.
Growth zone criteria
- sites with large existing power connections (with a current capacity of 500+ MW) or a clear vision on how energy capacity can be increased.
- deindustrialised areas with land and infrastructure standing ready for redevelopment.
- locations close to suitable sites for major energy infrastructure such as nuclear reactors, solar stations and wind farms, or battery storage.
Kyle said: “We set out our new blueprint for AI less than a month ago, and we’re already delivering on that vision by harnessing technology to supercharge our Plan for Change.
“These new AI Growth Zones will deliver untold opportunities – sparking new jobs, fresh investment and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future.”
He confirmed the first of these AI Growth Zones will be based in Culham, Oxfordshire – home of the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority.
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