CONSTRUCTION work is about to begin on a mammoth multi-million pound project set to transform Argyll and Bute and energise Scotland’s economy.
First revealed in this newspaper in June, the artificial intelligence (AI) initiative based in Killellan is led by Peter Griffiths, the head of Argyll Data Development.
The energy-crafting project will use AI to make more efficient use of low carbon energy sources like waves and wind.
The revolutionary development could create thousands of jobs across the peninsula and beyond.
But as the first cut of soil at the former Ardyne Yard is about to be made on building the operational data centre, there have been concerns raised about its impact on the environment.
Peter Griffiths said he is open to conversation but is clear the construction will be low-profile on land already designated for industrial development.
Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto described the AI energy project as ‘mammoth’.
“This is the creation of a heart, a core, where other businesses can benefit and establish themselves because of this power source.
“It is a great resource for renewable power, there will be less waste and it is also efficient”, she told this newspaper.
She compared it to the ‘very effective’ network of local electricity generators that operate across Germany.
Central to the project is creating the platform to link and harness energy production points across the country and guide that into the national grid.
It is the opportunity to establish Argyll as Scotlands powerhouse.
The development comes as the UK and Scottish Governments continue a conversation about the award and launch of an AI Growth Zone in Scotland.
Five such zones are designated for development across the UK. The location of a Scottish AI Growth Zone has yet to be confirmed.
The Argyll Data Development initiative would welcome the award coming here, but the project is not dependent upon it.
Peter Griffiths said he would be ‘really delighted’ to help secure it.
“We’d like the UK Government to recognise the work that we’ve done, but we’re not reliant on it.”
The Ardyne Point Yard was established in the 70s by the UK energy secretary Tony Benn.
The oil platform construction facility was built by Sir Robert McAlpine.
It created three concrete platforms amid the initial North Sea oil boom days that projected more than 60 would be built at four yards at Ardyne, Hunterston, Loch Kishorn and Portavadie.
