In 2025, the UK data centre sector faces two critical hurdles: overcoming planning bottlenecks and improving access to the energy grid to meet surging demand. At the same time, Scotland, with its superior grid connectivity and abundant renewable energy, stands ready to lead a new era of hyperscale data centre development.
That’s according to Giles Hanglin, CEO of Apatura, the UK renewable energy storage specialists, who in a new blog post identifies planning reform, energy grid access and Scotland’s abundance of clean energy as key issues that will shape the UK data centre landscape in the year ahead.
“The UK data centre sector is at a crossroads right now,” said Hanglin. “On the one hand, data centre firms and infrastructure investors, including Blackstone, Amazon Web Services, Cloud HQ and CoreWeave, have pledged to invest a combined £25 billion in the next three to five years in new facilities in the UK. The race to build new data centre infrastructure is set to create new jobs, expand the country’s digital economy, and make the UK more competitive worldwide.
Scotland a prime location for hyperscale growth
Hanglin points to Scotland’s clean energy surplus and grid availability as key advantages for hyperscale data centres, which require 50-100 megawatt (MW) capacities. “Scotland offers a natural solution, with sites close to onshore and offshore renewables, where data centres can thrive on clean power while contributing to a flexible, resilient grid,” he said.
Planning reform is key
The Government’s decision earlier this year to classify data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) was a step towards recognising the crucial role of what are seen as the building blocks of the UK’s digital economy. However, Hanglin emphasised the need for further alignment between national strategy and local planning to accelerate development.
Grid constraints must be addressed
Access to power remains the single biggest barrier,” said Hanglin, citing a recent interview by the CEO of British property investment and development company Segro on the issue. “Recent government promises to streamline the grid connections process are welcome, but swift action is needed to unlock critical infrastructure projects, including data centres, industrial electrification, and housing.”
Making the most of the data centre opportunities in 2025
Hanglin concluded, “The UK Government, at a national and a devolved level, must focus on facilitating cooperation between stakeholders, including the data centre industry, local government, planning policymakers, NESO and distribution system operators, to ensure that data centre growth can be harnessed in locations where clean power is abundant.
“It must also ensure that local communities fully benefit from the positive societal and economic opportunities that new developments can deliver. In this regard, data centre developers and operators can learn important lessons from the renewables industry. Offshore wind has transformed port cities along Scotland’s east coast and England’s north-east coast by creating jobs, boosting training opportunities, and revitalising local economies.”
