AI growth zones are UK government designations designed to support investment in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres by improving planning support and access to power (GOV.UK).
Designated UK AI growth zones and announced locations
The UK government collection lists 5 announced designations between April 2025 and January 2026 (GOV.UK), with published power numbers reflecting announced future ambitions rather than confirmed site import capacity:
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Culham AI growth zone (Oxfordshire, 30 April 2025; GOV.UK): In its campus expression of interest and initial development proposal, Culham Campus notes connections to 132 kilovolt (kV) and 400 kV electricity grids with spare capacity to initially deliver approximately 100 MW of steady state, dual resilient power. This represents potential capacity outlined in site proposals rather than currently contracted capacity or active vacancy, with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) exploring plot expansion up to 500 MW (Culham Campus) under employment land Policy AS11 (South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils).
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North East (16 September 2025; GOV.UK): Made up of sites in Blyth and Cobalt Park near Newcastle, with an ambition quoted from Nscale CEO Josh Payne in the government September 2025 announcement to increase whole-zone energy capacity to 1.1 GW over six years (GOV.UK), representing a planned target rather than government-secured power.
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North Wales (13 November 2025) and South Wales (20 November 2025; GOV.UK).
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Scotland (29 January 2026; GOV.UK): Proposed for delivery by DataVita around its Airdrie data centre site in partnership with CoreWeave. In its 29 January 2026 statement, the government reported that DataVita is planning the generation of more than 500 MW of on-site power (GOV.UK).
Power access, grid priority and planning support
Candidate sites must demonstrate access to at least 500 MW of power capacity by 2030 (GOV.UK). However, official guidance states that the government's ability to accelerate power connection timelines is extremely limited (GOV.UK).
Policy mechanisms include:
- Planning requirements under candidate application criteria, where applicant sites must hold existing planning permission or a deliverable plan to secure full planning consent by 2028 (GOV.UK), rather than applying to all operating data centre sites.
Due diligence for data centre site selection
Designation as an AI growth zone identifies government policy support rather than confirmed infrastructure delivery. Prospective buyers and operators must independently evaluate site-specific planning permissions and verify utility grid connection evidence directly.
Candidate-site screening is available through a focused manual review. Evaluate colocation in the UK.
Frequently asked AI growth zones questions
Where are the UK AI growth zones located?
Announced locations are Oxfordshire (30 April 2025), the North East (16 September 2025), North Wales (13 November 2025), South Wales (20 November 2025), and Scotland (29 January 2026) (GOV.UK).
Does an AI growth zone confirm a power connection or planning approval?
No. Growth zone designation does not provide confirmation of power connections or planning consent.
Submit your requirement for manual site screening or capacity matching through Data Centre Axis advisory.