Scottish data centre operator DataVita is set to expand its flagship site to host specialised AI infrastructure with a new funding boost.
The group has secured a £25m loan from digital bank OakNorth to support the expansion of the data centre based outside of Glasgow.
The debt financing has enabled DataVita to advance initial construction work on new AI-ready computing capacity for US cloud provider CoreWeave.
The company said that once finished, the expanded facility will significantly increase the AI capacity of Scotland’s digital infrastructure.
“The expansion of our flagship data centre marks a significant milestone for DataVita and reinforces Scotland’s position as an emerging destination for AI and cloud infrastructure,” said William Hill, chief executive of DataVita’s parent company HFD Group.
“Demand for secure, resilient, high-performance data centre capacity continues to grow, and this investment will enable us to support that demand while creating infrastructure capable of underpinning the next generation of digital innovation.”
Founded in 2014, DataVita operates two data centres in Scotland that provide compute services to public and private sector customers including NHS bodies, universities and local businesses.
“The UK’s data centre market is entering an exciting new phase of growth, with investment increasingly expanding beyond traditional hubs as operators seek the power, land and renewable energy needed to support next-generation AI infrastructure.
“Scotland is particularly well placed to benefit from this shift, combining strong digital connectivity with abundant renewable energy and an increasingly attractive investment environment,” said Fraser McPhail, senior director of debt finance at OakNorth.
“DataVita has built an outstanding business serving both public and private sector customers and has ambitious plans to further strengthen Scotland’s digital infrastructure.”
