As demand for digital services continues to grow, modern data centres play an increasingly important role in supporting businesses, communities and everyday technology. The proposed Southside Data Centre has been designed to deliver these benefits while addressing many of the common misconceptions surrounding the industry.

Contrary to popular belief, modern data centres do not require excessive amounts of water. Southside will utilise a closed-loop cooling system, similar to a large-scale central heating and refrigeration system, which only requires occasional topping up once operational. Scotland’s naturally cool climate also helps reduce cooling requirements and improve efficiency.

The project will be powered by Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources, making use of locally generated wind power. Rather than competing with local energy users, facilities such as Southside can help utilise renewable energy that might otherwise go unused.

Environmental performance has also been a key consideration. Southside has been designed to minimise emissions through the use of renewable energy, battery storage and grid connections, with gas-powered backup available only in exceptional circumstances if the 400kV network were to fail.

Beyond its environmental credentials, Southside is expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the Scottish Borders. The development is projected to create over 100 direct, high-quality jobs and support additional employment throughout the supply chain. The wider economic impact is estimated at around £12 million per year for the local economy. Data is sourced from the preliminary BiGGAR Economics report: Economic and Wider Impacts of Southside (forming part of the Environmental Impact Assessment). Note: Because final operational impacts vary depending on the final technical configuration and server profile of the data centre, we have deliberately reported the lower-bound estimates for all economic and employment figures to ensure conservative projections.

The proposal has been carefully designed to sit sensitively within the rural landscape while enhancing biodiversity through measures such as habitat restoration and rewetting projects. The development reflects Roxburghe Estates’ long-standing commitment to the local community, building on its existing contribution as a major local employer and provider of affordable housing.

As the UK continues to expand its digital infrastructure, facilities such as Southside are essential for secure data storage, economic growth and the transition to a more sustainable digital economy. The project will undergo rigorous scrutiny through the planning process and extensive community consultation, ensuring that local voices remain central to its development.

Southside represents an opportunity to bring investment, skilled employment and sustainable infrastructure to the Scottish Borders while helping meet the growing demands of our increasingly connected world.