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Sun, 01 Mar 2026

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 Could a huge data centre revitalise Ayrshire - or ruin it?

Controversial proposals to turn land near HMP Kilmarnock into a technology hub are being advanced by energy company ILI Group.

* A 100-hectare patch of land in East Ayrshire is set to become one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres on Earth.
* The facility, called Rufus, will be similar in size to HMP Kilmarnock and will dominate the area for decades.
* Supporters claim the development will bring new jobs and investment to the region, while opponents are concerned about the impact on the environment and local water supplies.
* The data centre will require millions of litres of water a day for cooling, which has raised concerns about water consumption and the potential effects on the local ecosystem.
* ILI Group, the company behind the plans, claims that the cooler climate in Scotland makes it an ideal location for a data centre and that they are exploring ways to reduce water usage.
* The proposal has met strong opposition from locals, who have expressed concerns about the lack of detail provided by ILI and the potential long-term impact on the area.
* Critics argue that the facility will be built without any consideration for the local community or environment, and that the jobs created may not benefit the local population.
* ILI claims that their track record shows they are committed to bringing benefits to the community, but opponents remain skeptical.