AMBITIOUS plans for Dunoon to lead global development of data technology are being threatened by a failure to deliver enough electricity connectivity across the Cowal Peninsula.
The multi-million pound artificial intelligence (AI) project, led by Argyll Data Development, is seeking to deliver opportunities across civil engineering, electrical infrastructure, renewable energy systems, logistics, marine connectivity, and specialist site operations.
But the chairman of the company, Peter Griffiths, has warned it has been “stalled if not halted” because of a lack of power connectivity by SSEN to its site at Ardyne Point.
The project is effectively mothballed.
Mr Griffiths told this newspaper he was quoted “£5.5million for two cables” but they couldn’t be connected for several years.
SSEN has now offered “a dedicated meeting to understand their concerns and explore
potential solutions”.
There is a real danger the region and wider Scotland could now lose this revolutionary project.
“We have stopped our build at Killellan Farm,” he said, “because there is not much point in developing anything any further when we can’t get the power.
“Scotland is rich in green energy with hydro and wind. We’ll not be embracing wave power any time soon, which is a shame. We’re becoming a green and pleasant land with nothing in it.”
Peter Griffiths said Scotland “is not really progressing for business investment”.
“We have lots of power, we are over-powered,” he said, “but there is a complete failure to deliver connectivity”.
Instead of the major programme he has been developing for the past 10 years and revealed in this newspaper last year, Mr Griffiths is now looking at two real alternatives: going minimal or overseas.
“We are talking with foreign governments including Dublin. They’re hungry for this investment. There are no mechanisms here. It is easier to do business in Ireland than it is here,” he said.
Another option he has is to roll out smaller concept capacities in shipping containers. “We can place those in various sites and do a rollout, but it would be on a much smaller scale.”
Peter Griffiths claimed he has been “bombarded by stupidity” about his project plan for Cowal.
“There are people in Bute who’re full of stupidity, claiming they will have to look on to a big industrial site. That is nonsense because it will all be underground. All they’ll see is farm buildings.”
Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto said: “Data centres and the associated digital infrastructure required to service them are the backbone of a vibrant digital economy.”
Peter Griffiths said: “By combining renewable energy, scalable infrastructure and AI capability in a single location, the project has all the potential to become a nationally significant strategic asset.”
He reiterated developing the major project for Cowal is his priority, but the lack of connectivity is undermining its delivery.
A Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution spokesperson said: “As a regulated business, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks plans its networks to support all customers, and works proactively to help them connect to its distribution networks.
“While we can’t disclose details of specific applications owing to commercial confidentially, in general teams the nature of a capacity request, and the distance from the development location to the suitable grid connection point, can mean considerable dedicated infrastructure upgrades are required to provide the requested capacity.
“We look forward to continuing constructive discussions with this developer to help advance their project and are offering them a dedicated meeting to understand their concerns and explore potential solutions.”
