About Southside Data Centre
Setting new standards for sustainable digital infrastructure in Scotland
Delivering Scotland’s digital ambitions requires infrastructure built for the long term. Southside Data Centre meets this need through a design shaped entirely by the energy assets, environment, and geography of the Scottish Borders.
Proposed for a location on the Roxburghe Estate, the project represents a genuine commitment to responsible land stewardship and sustainable development.
Why this project matters
Data centres are the invisible engine rooms behind modern life. Every time someone books a GP appointment, accesses NHS records, withdraws cash, or taps a card to pay, that information is processed and stored securely. Far from being an abstract technology, they are critical national infrastructure. As Scotland’s economy becomes increasingly dependent on high-speed digital networks, from public transport systems to local business platforms, securing this digital foundation is vital. However, this growing reliance raises an urgent question: where does this infrastructure sit, and who controls it?
Currently, the vast majority of global data centres are based in the US, which holds 158MW of capacity per million people, compared to just 23MW in the UK and 27MW in the EU. This massive imbalance exposes us to severe vulnerabilities. When the digital systems a country relies on are owned and operated overseas, access can be restricted by a foreign government with little warning. In June 2026, a single US export-control directive required AI company Anthropic to block access for all non-US nationals to its most advanced models. To protect Scotland’s economic resilience, true digital sovereignty is essential.
However, expanding our digital capacity cannot come at the expense of the environment. Traditional data centres are typically located in urban or industrial zones, where they draw heavily on the national grid, consume vast volumes of local water for cooling, and offer limited direct benefits to the communities around them.
The Southside project introduces a completely different model. It delivers the sovereign data infrastructure Scotland needs while setting a new standard for environmental stewardship. Powered by renewable energy generated just kilometres away, the facility is uniquely positioned to absorb surplus green power that would otherwise be turned off and lost to the grid. Furthermore, it cools its systems without drawing on local water supplies and is carefully designed to complement the surrounding landscape. By blending digital self-reliance with cutting-edge sustainability, Southside ensures Scotland’s future is both secure and green.
Who is behind the project
The project is being delivered by Sunlaws Development Company Limited, an entity of the long-established Roxburghe Estates in the Scottish Borders. As custodians of this landscape, the estate is committed to ensuring that the development enhances the local environment. This commitment shapes every aspect of the design, from the low-profile placement of the buildings to the rewetting of previously drained land as part of a comprehensive biodiversity enhancement plan.
Aligning with Scotland's digital strategy
The proposed Southside Data Centre is well-positioned to play a key role in the economic future of the Scottish Borders. By harnessing local renewable energy, supporting regional energy security, and introducing high-speed data connectivity, Southside aims to set a benchmark for sustainable digital infrastructure.
Data centres are an essential backbone of modern society. Southside directly aligns with the Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy, which focuses on connecting people to opportunities, driving green economic growth, and improving public services.
Our digital ambitions require robust infrastructure. Southside delivers that infrastructure exactly where the energy is produced, designed respectfully for its landscape, and bringing long-term economic benefits to the region.
Want to understand the thinking behind this site?
Find out why the Scottish Borders is the right location for this project and what it means for local communities, or view the technical details of the proposal.