FAQs

CX Technology Campus is a multi-billion-pound digital infrastructure development proposed for Chapelcross, near Annan. The campus would transform a nationally important former energy site into a new centre for digital infrastructure, renewable energy and technology, securing a long-term economic future for Chapelcross and bringing significant investment, jobs, skills and benefits to Dumfries and Galloway.

Planning Permission in Principle is being sought for up to eight data-centre buildings, providing approximately 1GW of potential capacity and up to 162,000 square metres of data-centre floorspace. The wider campus would also include a training centre, industrial space, electrical infrastructure, landscaping and associated development.

The development would be delivered over approximately eight years, meaning the campus would be built over time rather than constructed all at once.

Chapelcross is particularly well suited to this type of development. It has a long history as a nationally important energy site, established electricity infrastructure and is in a region with significant existing and planned renewable-energy generation.

CX Technology Campus would bring the strategically important site associated with the former power station back into productive long-term economic use and establish a new economic purpose for Chapelcross as decommissioning progresses. The site also benefits from an adjacent 132kV Grid Supply Point and is surrounded by substantial existing and potential renewable energy.

Approximately £16.5 billion of private investment is proposed at Chapelcross. That would make CX Technology Campus one of the most significant private-sector investments ever proposed in Dumfries and Galloway and the South of Scotland.

The scale and duration of the investment would create economic opportunities extending well beyond the campus itself, including construction, engineering, energy, professional services, facilities management and the regional supply chain.

Data centres are the physical infrastructure behind many of the digital services people and businesses use every day.

They contain the computing, telecommunications and storage systems required to process and manage digital information, supporting areas including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, financial services, manufacturing, scientific research, digital media and public services.

Demand for computing capacity is continuing to grow. Chapelcross provides an opportunity for Scotland to host more of that infrastructure here, while connecting the growth of the digital economy with the country’s renewable-energy strengths.

The campus is being designed so that its operational power requirements are met through dedicated renewable-energy connections, rather than extracting from the public grid.

The proposed campus has approximately 1GW of potential data-centre capacity when fully developed, but that is not the same as saying the campus will continuously consume 1GW of electricity.

The amount of electricity actually used will depend on factors including how the campus is developed, the technology installed by future operators and the level at which individual data centres are operating.

The development will also take place progressively over a number of years, rather than the full campus becoming operational at once.

Renewable-energy supply is intended to be brought forward alongside that phased growth. As more data-centre capacity becomes operational, additional dedicated renewable generation and connections will be developed in parallel, helping to avoid the campus placing its full additional electricity demand on the public grid.

The campus is being designed to operate using 100% renewable energy, with its electricity requirements supplied through dedicated connections to locally and regionally generated renewable power.

The site also benefits from an existing electrical infrastructure as a result of Chapelcross’s former use as a nuclear power station. The infrastructure is intended to provide resilience rather than supply the campus’s everyday electricity needs.

The public electricity network will mainly support the early development of the site while those dedicated renewable connections are established, and provide emergency resilience over the longer term.

No. Local homes and businesses will always take priority.

CX Technology Campus will initially have what is known as a non-firm, or interruptible, connection to the wider electricity network. Put simply, this means the campus does not have the same protected access to electricity as local homes and businesses.

If there is pressure on the electricity network, CX Technology Campus will be required to reduce the amount of electricity it is using or temporarily disconnect. Its electricity demand will not be maintained at the expense of supplies to local homes and businesses.

This is an interim arrangement to ensure that there is minimal impact on the grid and the local community prior to relevant infrastructure upgrades.

The public electricity network will mainly support the early development of the site while those dedicated renewable connections are established and provide emergency resilience over the longer term.

The intention is for the data centres to be fully powered by dedicated supplies of locally and regionally generated renewable electricity.

No. CX Technology Campus will not be a high-water-use data centre development. The cooling system has specifically been designed to avoid the continuous water consumption associated with evaporative cooling systems.

The proposed system is closed-loop and non-evaporative. It requires an initial fill followed by occasional minor top-ups, rather than a continuous supply of water for cooling. Current estimates indicate that the entire campus would require annual water consumption equivalent to around 32 households.

Rainwater and surface-water capture and recycling, water-efficient fittings, leak detection and monitoring are also being incorporated to reduce demand further.

Yes. Scottish Water’s pre-planning response has indicated that there is sufficient capacity at Black Esk Water Treatment Works to serve the proposed development.

Combined with the exceptionally low water requirement of the proposed closed-loop cooling system, the EIA concludes that the effect of the campus’s operational potable water demand would not be significant.

Because the proposed cooling technology does not rely on evaporating water to remove heat. Water circulates through a closed system rather than constantly being consumed and replaced. Once that system has been initially filled, only limited top-ups are required.

This is fundamentally different from the large evaporative cooling systems sometimes associated with data centres. Scotland’s cooler climate is also an advantage, with current estimates indicating that conditions could allow extended free cooling for around eight months of the year.

The cooling fluid is contained within a sealed system and continuously recirculated, so it is not routinely discharged or replaced during normal operation.

If the system ever needs to be drained for maintenance, refurbishment or decommissioning, the fluid would be safely removed and handled by appropriately qualified specialist contractors, using approved disposal or recovery routes and in line with all relevant environmental regulations.

This means the cooling fluid remains contained during normal operation and any eventual removal would be carefully controlled and professionally managed.

The noise assessment shows that operational noise at the nearest properties will remain below 10 dB above existing background levels. Taking the existing noise environment into account, the effect is assessed as Not Significant by the EIA.

Cooling and other plant will be designed and positioned to minimise noise, with screening and acoustic measures used where required. Operational noise at the nearest properties is predicted to remain below 10 dB above existing background levels, with the overall effect assessed as Not Significant by the EIA.

No significant vibration effects are expected at nearby residential properties. Any potential effects associated with construction activity will be assessed and managed through appropriate construction controls.

No. The backup generators are emergency resilience equipment. They will not be used as a normal source of electricity for CX Technology Campus. Normal operation is intended to rely on renewable electricity. Backup generation would only be required during exceptional power interruptions and for controlled routine testing.

The project proposes to use green fuel rather than conventional diesel for backup generation. The generators are there to provide resilience rather than day-to-day power and would only operate during exceptional interruptions and routine testing.

The environmental assessment has used a testing assumption of up to half an hour every six months for each generator, equivalent to approximately one hour of routine testing per generator per year.

The EIA has specifically modelled emissions from the backup generators, which will be powered by green fuel. The modelling found that concentrations would remain below the relevant air-quality objectives.  Air-quality effects from operational traffic and the combined effect of traffic and generator emissions were also assessed as not significant.

Construction dust, construction machinery and traffic have all been assessed through the EIA. A Construction Environmental Management Plan will provide measures including wheel washing, dust control and the sheeting of loads where appropriate. The EIA concludes that the effects of construction dust, construction machinery and construction traffic on local air quality would all be not significant.

No. The overall development programme is expected to last approximately eight years, but the campus would be built over time, rather than the whole site being under construction simultaneously. That approach spreads construction across the programme and allows individual parts of the campus to be delivered progressively.

Construction activity would be managed through a dedicated Construction Environmental Management Plan controlling access, vehicle routing, parking, working periods and other matters. The extended construction programme also means sustained employment, apprenticeship and supply-chain opportunities in Dumfries and Galloway.

A Construction Environmental Management Plan will control:

• construction vehicle routes;
• site access and temporary signage;
• on-site worker parking;
• working periods;
• wheel washing; and
• dust sheeting of loads where required.

Parking for construction workers would be provided on site rather than relying on surrounding roads.

The EIA has assessed a robust peak construction scenario rather than using lower average traffic levels across the eight-year development period. HGVs are expected to approach from the north via the A74(M), Junction 20 and the B722.

The proposals include car and cycle parking, high-quality walking and cycling routes across the campus, pedestrian and cycle crossing points and employee shower and changing facilities. A shuttle bus connection between Annan railway station, Annan town centre and CX Technology Campus is also proposed, with services intended to align with employee movements and rail timetables.

CX Technology Campus represents a major long-term employment opportunity for Dumfries and Galloway. The eight-year construction programme is expected to support up to 750 construction jobs. Once operational, the project currently anticipates approximately 450 direct permanent jobs, alongside around 700 indirect and supply-chain roles. The opportunities extend well beyond traditional data-centre roles into engineering, energy, digital technology, security, facilities management and the regional supply chain. CX Tech Limited has also committed to 40 local apprenticeships for every year of the eight-year construction programme, equivalent to approximately 320 apprenticeships.

Yes. Creating pathways into the jobs for people in Dumfries and Galloway is a core part of the project. CX Tech Limited has committed to 40 local apprenticeships for every year of the eight-year construction programme, equivalent to approximately 320 apprenticeship opportunities.

The campus also includes a dedicated training centre, alongside plans for apprenticeships, internships, local recruitment and partnerships with schools, colleges and other education providers. The aim is not simply to create jobs, but to build the skills locally that allow people to develop careers in AI, digital technology, engineering, energy and low-carbon industries.

Local procurement and supply-chain participation will be actively pursued. A project of this scale and duration creates opportunities across construction, engineering, electrical infrastructure, professional services, maintenance, security, facilities management and numerous supporting sectors.

The objective is for as much of the economic value generated at Chapelcross as practicable to remain within Dumfries and Galloway. CX Tech Limited also intends to hold a Meet the Buyer event in early 2027.

No. CX Technology Campus has been designed as an integrated digital and energy development from the outset. Renewable electricity, low-water cooling, energy efficiency, whole-life carbon, heat reuse, sustainable drainage and resource efficiency have informed the design rather than being added retrospectively.

The current design targets a Power Usage Effectiveness of 1.30 or better. The campus will incorporate high-efficiency cooling, electrical and IT infrastructure, while Scotland’s cooler climate provides the opportunity for free cooling for significant periods of the year. Energy and water performance would also be actively measured and managed throughout operation.

The campus is being designed, constructed and operated in alignment with the UK Green Building Council framework. Its environmental strategy extends beyond the source of its electricity. A Whole Life Carbon Assessment has informed the design, with embodied carbon reduced through measures including infrastructure reuse, material selection and adaptable design. Operational emissions would be minimised through renewable electricity and high-efficiency design.

The buildings are being designed so that heat generated by the data centres can be captured in a usable form rather than simply treated as a waste product. CX Tech Limited intends to work with Dumfries and Galloway Council and potential users to identify viable opportunities for recovered heat, including potential agricultural or community uses. Designing the campus to be heat-reuse ready now ensures that those opportunities can be pursued as the surrounding infrastructure develops.

The campus incorporates sustainable drainage as an integral part of the development. The proposed Sustainable Drainage Systems include basins and swales to store, control and treat surface water, together with rainwater harvesting and permeable paving. These features would form part of a wider network of landscaping, drainage and ecological infrastructure across the campus.

The development would include its own on-site package treatment plant rather than adding pressure to the existing Chapelcross wastewater treatment works. Wastewater would be treated to the required environmental standards before discharge. The EIA concludes that the resulting effect on both the Scottish Water sewer network and receiving watercourses would be not significant.

Flood risk and drainage have been comprehensively assessed through the EIA. A dedicated Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Drainage Impact Assessment have been prepared, looking at current conditions as well as future climate-change scenarios. The campus incorporates sustainable drainage and surface-water storage which are designed to manage runoff appropriately.

Yes. The site’s history is well understood and has been specifically investigated as part of the EIA. The EIA is supported by detailed geo-environmental work including ground investigations, a non-intrusive radiological survey, a UXO desk study and a UXO target investigation. The redevelopment of Chapelcross provides an opportunity to return land associated with a nationally important former energy site to productive economic use, with all necessary environmental and regulatory controls applied.

The maximum height assessed for the data-centre buildings is up to 40 metres. That is the parameter used for the PPiP, rather than an indication that every building would necessarily reach that height. The training centre and industrial buildings have been assessed at up to 9 metres and the substation at up to 15 metres. Detailed design, layout, landscaping and appearance would be developed through subsequent stages of the planning process.

The campus is being designed as a high-quality modern development appropriate to its location and scale. Buildings are expected to use a consistent architectural design and durable, low-maintenance materials. Lighter neutral finishes are proposed to help reduce their perceived visual mass, while mechanical and electrical plants would be screened. A substantial landscape strategy will help integrate the campus into its surroundings.

Landscaping, sustainable drainage and ecological infrastructure are being incorporated across the campus. Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained wherever possible and supplemented with new planting, while basins, swales and wetland areas will contribute both to sustainable drainage and habitat creation. The landscape strategy is intended to strengthen habitat connectivity and biodiversity as well as integrate the development into its surroundings.

Yes. Cultural heritage and archaeology have been assessed comprehensively through the EIA, including known archaeological features, historic assets and potential effects on their settings. Where further archaeological work is required, it would be agreed with Dumfries and Galloway Council’s archaeology service and undertaken as part of the development process.

No. CX Tech Limited is applying for Planning Permission in Principle (PPiP). The application allows Dumfries and Galloway Council to consider the principle, overall scale and environmental effects of the proposed campus. If PPiP is approved, subsequent stages would provide further detailed design before individual phases are constructed.

No. The full proposed scale of the campus, eight data-centre buildings and approximately 1GW of potential capacity, is being presented through the PPiP process. The environmental assessment therefore considers the overall development rather than treating individual buildings as unrelated projects. Phasing simply reflects the practical way in which an investment of this scale would be delivered.

Yes. A comprehensive circa 500-page Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been prepared covering the potential effects of the development, including:

• transport;
• noise and vibration;
• air quality;
• biodiversity;
• landscape and visual impact;
• cultural heritage and archaeology;
• water;
• soil and groundwater;
• socio-economics;
• climate change and greenhouse gases; and
• human health.

The project has been designed around that evidence, with measures incorporated to avoid, reduce and manage environmental effects.

The campus has been designed to incorporate landscaping, sustainable drainage and ecological infrastructure alongside the development. Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained where possible and supplemented by new planting. Sustainable drainage features, including basins, swales and wetland areas, will also create opportunities to strengthen habitat connectivity and biodiversity across the site. The aim is not simply to minimise environmental impact, but to create a well-designed campus where new development, landscaping and habitat enhancement are considered together from the outset.

Yes, some operational lighting will be required at all times for safety and security, but it will be carefully designed to minimise light spill and glare beyond the site. Lighting will be designed in line with recognised standards, with measures such as careful positioning and the use of baffles, hoods or louvres where appropriate. A detailed lighting strategy will be prepared for individual buildings and secured through the planning process.

Safety is a fundamental part of the design and operation of CX Technology Campus. The development will be designed in accordance with Scottish Building Standards and relevant electrical, fire and safety regulations.

CX Tech Limited is developing CX Technology Campus and establishing the planning, power and infrastructure framework required for the development. Individual data centres would be occupied and operated as the campus develops, with operators brought forward in line with the phased development of the site. The campus has deliberately been designed to provide the infrastructure and flexibility required by major data-centre operators while maintaining the environmental and planning standards established for the overall development.

Yes. Data centres are critical digital infrastructure and are designed to operate continuously. However, continuous operation does not mean continuous disruption. Data centres have relatively limited day-to-day vehicle movements compared with many other large industrial uses, while operational noise, lighting and other potential impacts have been assessed as part of the planning and environmental process.

No. The overall scale of the proposed CX Technology Campus is being set out through the current Planning Permission in Principle application. The proposal being assessed is for up to eight data-centre buildings with total potential capacity of approximately 1GW, alongside the associated infrastructure and wider campus development.

The campus would be built in phases because that is the practical way to deliver a project of this scale, but the overall development is being considered through the planning and environmental process now. Any development beyond the parameters ultimately approved would require the appropriate further planning consent.

Community engagement will continue as the project moves through the planning process and into more detailed stages of design. The purpose of engagement is to ensure people can understand the proposals, ask questions and raise practical issues as the development progresses. Where concerns can be addressed through design, mitigation or operational measures, those opportunities will be considered. CX Tech Limited intends to maintain an open dialogue with communities throughout the development of the campus, including local community information sessions.

CX Technology Campus represents an opportunity to give Chapelcross a new long-term economic purpose. It would bring approximately £16.5 billion of private investment, up to 750 construction jobs, around 450 direct permanent roles, wider supply-chain employment, 320 local apprenticeship opportunities, new training facilities and major new digital infrastructure to Dumfries and Galloway.

The project would also generate an indicative Rateable Value in the region of £15 million, which at current 2026/27 Scottish non-domestic rates could equate to around £8.2 million in gross annual business rates.

The campus is also being designed around renewable electricity, exceptionally low water consumption, very low operational noise, high energy efficiency and responsible whole-life environmental performance. The aim is to build the next generation of digital infrastructure in a way that makes use of Chapelcross’s energy legacy while creating lasting economic value for the people and businesses of Dumfries and Galloway.

Dumfries and Galloway is already a major producer of renewable electricity. The region generates around 3,000GWh of electricity each year, compared with local electricity consumption of around 800GWh.

That creates a significant opportunity, but it also highlights a challenge. At times, the wider electricity network does not have enough capacity to carry all of the renewable power being generated.

When that happens, renewable companies are required to reduce, or curtail, their output. In simple terms, electricity that could have been generated is not fully used because the network doesn’t have the capacity.

This is already a major issue. National Energy System Operator (NESO) estimates that transmission constraint costs associated with Scottish transmission boundaries could reach between £500 million and £3 billion a year by 2030, alongside significant amounts of renewable electricity being unable to be fully used.

Chapelcross is well placed to respond to that challenge by bringing new electricity demand closer to where renewable power is already being generated. The intention is to develop dedicated connections to locally and regionally generated renewable energy, creating an opportunity to use more of that electricity closer to its source.

For the local area, that means making better use of one of Dumfries and Galloway’s existing strengths. It can help support further investment in renewable generation and energy infrastructure, while creating a stronger link between the power produced in the region and new economic activity, jobs and investment at Chapelcross.

The aim is therefore to make better use of renewable electricity that is already being generated in and around the region, power that might otherwise be constrained or curtailed.