Edinburgh and York-based renewable energy developer Apatura Energy has submitted a full planning application to Falkirk Council for a major green data center campus in Larbert, outlining proposals that could deliver close to USD 1.34 billion in direct capital investment in Scotland and create thousands of jobs during construction and long-term operation.

Site and Scale

The proposed Larbert Data Center Campus would be located at Glenbervie Business Park on Bellsdyke Road, Larbert, on approximately 55 acres of vacant land owned by Scottish Enterprise.

The site is allocated for business and industry use and sits just south of the M876 motorway. Falkirk Council has accepted the full planning application, which the developer says responds to government planning policy designating green data centers as essential infrastructure of national importance.

The campus is planned at 300 megawatts of capacity, making it one of the more substantial data center proposals currently before any Scottish planning authority. Apatura says the site has been selected for its strategic position and strong grid connectivity to the nearby Denny substation.

The company holds over 1.6 gigawatts of confirmed grid connections across its portfolio of grid-ready sites in Scotland's central belt, which it says places it among only a few UK developers capable of delivering data center infrastructure at this scale.

Jobs and Investment

If the application is approved, Apatura projects that the development would generate more than 5,000 jobs per year during the construction phase. Once operational, the campus is expected to support more than 1,300 long-term skilled jobs, with more than 500 of those positions filled by local workers.

The developer states that those local roles would carry a predicted average annual salary of USD 75,040. The total capital investment figure cited in the application stands at almost USD 1.34 billion directed into Scotland.

Grid and Energy Infrastructure

Apatura says confirmed grid connections are already in place, with first power and the commencement of operations scheduled for 2028. The project will also connect to an existing battery energy storage scheme that Apatura has already received consent for, located approximately two miles to the north of the Larbert site.

The developer describes the campus as designed to maximise the use of renewable electricity and states that the proposal aligns with the principles set out in the recently launched industry charter titled Delivering Green Data Centers in Scotland. The plans also include measures to make the site district heat-ready and to minimise water use.

Location and Economic Context

Apatura Chief Executive Officer Giles Hanglin highlighted the site's proximity to transport connections and what he described as key research, education, and innovation hubs. He also noted that the Larbert site sits only 20 miles northeast of the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone, which has been designated by the UK Government. Hanglin said the project, if approved, would help cement central Scotland's growing reputation as a destination for investment in what he called fast-moving new technology.

The application follows public consultation carried out by Apatura, including two public events held at Glenbervie House, where local residents shared ideas about community development and green space improvements that the developer says can be incorporated into future plans.

Hanglin stated that Apatura has worked closely with Scottish Enterprise as the landowner, the Falkirk Council Inward Investment Team, and various local individuals and organisations to ensure the proposals align with the local development plan.

Victoria Carmichael, Scottish Enterprise's Director of Property, Growth Infrastructure and Major Projects, said the national economic development agency welcomes the ambition and scale of the proposed investment and the opportunities it could create.

At the All Energy conference held in Glasgow in May 2026, Fintan Slye, chief executive of the UK's National Energy System Operator, said that locating data centers in Scotland, where renewable energy is plentiful, could help lower consumer bills.

Broader Pipeline

The Larbert submission is not Apatura's only major data center initiative in Scotland's central belt. The developer also unveiled plans last year for a nationally significant data center at Ravenscraig, with a planning application for that site expected to be submitted during the summer of 2026.

Apatura describes Larbert as one of a number of grid-ready sites it is progressing across the region, backed by its portfolio of confirmed grid connections.

The Larbert Data Center Campus planning application is available to view on the Falkirk Council planning portal. Apatura Energy is headquartered across offices in York and Edinburgh.

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