UK publishes AI playbook, invites expressions of interests to create AI Growth Zones

The UK government is accelerating efforts to build the infrastructure needed to support AI growth. “AIgrowth Zones” will unlock investment in AI-enabled data centres and support infrastructure by improving access to power and providing planning support. This will help drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in AI.

To support the development of AIGrowth Zones, we are inviting expressions of interest (EOI) from:

• regional and local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – including city and regional mayors;
• industry – including data centre developers and energy firms.

This will help us understand early opportunities and inform the next stage of the programme.

Local and regional authorities

Local and regional authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including city and regional mayors, that have identified potential sites suitable for hosting 500MW+ ofAIinfrastructure.

We are particularly interested in:

• sites with large existing power connections (100MW+) or a clear path to securing them
• deindustrialised areas with land and infrastructure suitable for redevelopment
• locations near land suitable for hosting low carbon power generation and storage
• regions with an existing tech or industrial base that could benefit fromAIinfrastructure and support the formation of a wider innovation hub
• authorities willing to work collaboratively on ambitious planning and energy solutions to accelerateAIinfrastructure deployment

Industry

Industry, including data centre developers and energy firms, with ambitious proposals to establish at least a 500MWAIinfrastructure cluster by 2030, although we also welcome larger-scale projects.

We are particularly interested in strategic proposals that go beyond data centre developments to contribute to the UK’s broaderAIecosystem, including research, innovation, skills development, and energy solutions.

Proposals should:

• set out a clear pathway to 500MW+ capacity, including rough timelines and key development milestones
• identify what support is needed from government to unlock development
• indicate any partnership opportunities with local authorities and/or ways in which anAIGrowth Zone proposal would support the UK’s widerAIecosystem beyond providing computing power

Submit an EOI

If you have a question, you can also email aigrowthzones@dsit.gov.uk.