North Lanarkshire AI zone could receive over £80 million in electricity subsidies amid rising household bills

Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) has raised concerns that the AI Growth Zone being built in North Lanarkshire could attract more than £80 million each year in electricity subsidies, despite a scheduled 4% rise in domestic energy prices from October. The subsidy scheme, announced by the UK Government in November 2025 at £24 per megawatt-hour, would currently provide about £6.7 million for DataVita's Chapelhall site once its 40 MW extension is complete, and could climb to over £80 million if the broader 500 MW zone is realized.

Local resident Jen Thompson, living 50 metres from the proposed data centre, described the subsidies as a “slap in the face” for a community already seeing bills climb by nearly £300 by January. APRS director Kat Jones added that the subsidies benefit energy-intensive AI facilities that employ few people and consume large amounts of power, calling the policy a “subsidy for climate breakdown.” The deadline for objections is September 30, but an Environmental Impact Assessment is expected to open a further consultation phase.