Scottish infrastructure developer ILI Group has unveiled plans for a £15 billion network of three hyperscale green data centres linking East, Central, and West Scotland.

Dubbed ‘The Stoics’ – with the sites named after philosophers Cato, Aurelius, and Rufus – the company plans to build the new data centres at sites across Fife, Lanarkshire, and Ayrshire, creating the ‘digital backbone’ Scotland needs to meet surging demand from AI, cloud, and next-gen data services.

According to the company, the data cluster would be among the largest in the world, with the firm claiming the project will bring in tens of billions in private investment, along with thousands of construction and tech jobs.

While still at an early stage, ILI Group said that each site has already secured grid connection, land rights and entered the planning process. Key design features are set to include circular construction principles using low-carbon materials, environmental enhancements like woodland and wetland creation, and advanced heat recovery systems that can serve nearby communities and industry.  

“These projects will provide the digital backbone needed to power the rise of AI and advanced technologies, while creating a Green Digital Network that delivers jobs, investment, and ensures Scotland leads in the global shift towards a sustainable digital future,” said Mark Wilson, chief executive of ILI Group.

Clean and green is the cornerstone of ILI’s vision, seemingly outweighing even the data demands of Scotland’s growing AI sector, with the plans grounded in long-term sustainability.

The firm said that the Stoics will be designed to ensure a true Net Zero performance and support the UK’s broader decarbonisation goals, promising that the data cluster will exceed international benchmarks for energy efficiency, cooling innovation, and carbon performance.

“The Stoics represent more than a data centre cluster — they symbolise the union of ancient philosophy and modern innovation,” said the firm.

“By combining clean energy expertise with digital infrastructure, ILI Group is building the foundation for a sustainable, AI-ready Scotland that leads in both energy and technology.”

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ILI Group’s plans join a raft of other early-stage data centre schemes across Scotland.

In September, AI Pathfinder announced plans to create one of Europe’s largest AI infrastructure hubs in North Lanarkshire, backed by a £15 billion investment, while earlier in the summer, renewable energy developer Apatura submitted proposals to develop a major data centre and battery energy storage on 160 acres at the former Ravenscraig steelworks. 

Last week, it was announced that East Lothian’s plans for a hyperscale data centre are firmly underway, with the Council appointing Sustainable Development Capital LLP as its preferred supplier as it begins early-stage work.