AN expression of interest has now been formally lodged with the UK Government for an AI (artificial intelligence) growth zone to be located in Dumfries and Galloway.
And Chapelcross and the former Castle Kennedy Airfield are both being touted as possible locations.
Just a week after councillors agreed the potential of the region for such a development, contact has now been made with the Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology.
Council leader Gail Macgregor has communicated directly with the minister, “affirming our region’s readiness and suitability for this initiative”.
Yesterday, she said: “Our council is completely behind this exciting initiative, and we are certain that Dumfries and Galloway is ready to lead the way in AI innovation, driving economic growth, and creating a sustainable future for the UK.
“Part of our council’s vision for the future is for D and G to diversify our industries. Despite being at the forefront of agricultural innovation, we must also look away from our overall historic reliance on farming. This AI investment would attract other like-minded businesses to our area; creating jobs for local people and encouraging others to our region to live, work and invest.
“AI investment offers opportunities to super charge regional growth sectors such as CreaTech, Space, Life Sciences, Natural Capital, Renewables and Green Fuels.
“We already have prime sites across the whole of our region which are ideally suited for this type of development. From Chapelcross in the east, to Castle Kennedy Airfield in the west, with a number of suitable sites in between, each one provides unique advantages, such as space, existing infrastructure, and strategic positioning for connectivity and collaboration.
“I look forward to hearing from the Minister in the near future and hope for a positive outcome”
The UK Government believes AI Growth Zones will unlock investment in AI-enabled data centres and support infrastructure by improving access to power and providing planning support. The Government has stated that these areas will help drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in AI.
And the council is confident that Dumfries and Galloway is uniquely positioned, given its strategic placement between England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with leaders saying the region is “an ideal candidate for this transformative initiative”.
The submission notes that Dumfries and Galloway has the potential to become a carbon-neutral AI Growth Zone, utilising locally generated power.
It points out that the region currently generates four times more power through renewable energy than it’s able to use due to grid restrictions.
With an expectation that the amount of renewable energy is only going to increase, it is suggested any additional power could be exploited to supply a local zone.
In addition, it’s revealed there’s been ‘a number of enquiries from data centre operators’ and becoming an AI Growth Zone would enable such sites to progress at pace.
