en.Wedoany.com Reported - ILI Group has submitted a planning permission in principle application for its proposed Cato data center project, located near Auchtertool in Fife, with a planned capacity of 600MW, making it a hyperscale data center.
The development is the flagship project within The Stoics, a network of large-scale data centers planned by ILI Group in Scotland's Central Belt, designed to meet growing demand in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services. The total proposed investment is approximately £5 billion, to be implemented in phases over several years.
According to an independent analysis by BiGGAR Economics, the construction phase is expected to generate approximately £708 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) across Scotland, with around £105 million in Fife. The project is also projected to support approximately 9,660 job-years across Scotland, with around 1,450 in Fife.
Once operational, the project is expected to support around 540 jobs across Scotland, with approximately 262 in Fife, and generate over £30 million in GVA annually in the local area. Upon full completion, the site will also create around 120 permanent technical positions.
Mark Wilson, CEO of ILI Group, stated that submitting this planning application marks a significant milestone for the Cato project and for Scotland's digital infrastructure vision. He noted that global demand for data processing and AI infrastructure is growing rapidly, and that Scotland, with its skilled workforce, abundant renewable energy resources, and existing industrial expertise, is well-positioned to play a leading role in this field. He also emphasized that Cato brings significant opportunities to Fife, attracting substantial investment, supporting high-quality jobs, and helping the region become a key location for future digital infrastructure. He expressed anticipation for continued collaboration with local communities and stakeholders as the project progresses.
The data center will be powered by renewable electricity and is located on land designated for employment use in the current Fife Local Development Plan. The project's annual water consumption is estimated to be equivalent to that of approximately 239 households, and will be supplied through independent infrastructure from Auchtertool village. Scottish Water has confirmed sufficient capacity to support the project.
ILI Group has engaged extensively with local stakeholders and communities during the planning process and plans to establish a community benefit fund, along with providing project-related skills, training, and apprenticeship opportunities.
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