# Xlinks plans 1.5gw AI datacentre in north Devon

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-27T07:00:58Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/xlinks-plans-1-5gw-ai-datacentre-in-north-devon

## Summary

xlinks announced a 1.5gw ai datacentre and 1.8gw bess in north devon, covering 344 hectares (850 acres). The campus would have five buildings 50-130 feet tall, with two main buildings 335 metres by 267 metres covering nine hectares each. The project is one of the largest in Europe and would create 600-1,200 jobs.

Local residents and campaigners have protested, citing secrecy, environmental concerns, and the site's location in a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Freedom of information requests revealed that xlinks had been in closed talks with council officials since march 2025, and that the council had issued an “in‑principle support” letter in april before public consultation. Protesters also raised concerns about water use, with estimates of up to 2.9bn litres under extreme conditions, and potential pollution from PFAS.

The campaign has drawn national attention, with 30,000 people signing a petition led by cheryl cottle‑hunkin, the devon county council rural affairs cabinet member. The government estimates a need for 23-27gw of battery capacity by 2030, but the house of commons library notes a lack of policy guidance on location. xlinks says the campus will be self‑sufficient in water and will improve biodiversity by at least 10%.

## Key points

- xlinks to build 1.5gw ai datacentre and 1.8gw bess on 344 hectares (850 acres) in north devon
- freedom of information revealed xlinks had closed talks with council since march 2025 and issued in‑principle support letter in april
- 30,000 people signed petition; water use could reach 2.9bn litres under extreme conditions

## Why it matters

The proposed campus highlights tensions between large‑scale ai infrastructure and environmental protection, raising questions about regulatory oversight, water use, and community consent. It underscores the need for clear policies on where and how ai data centres and battery storage facilities are built, especially in protected landscapes.

## Sources

1. [‘People are standing up and fighting back’: the north Devon revolt against a vast AI datacentre](https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/27/people-are-standing-up-and-fighting-back-north-devon-ai-datacentre) (The Guardian AI, 2026-09-27)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Xlinks plans 1.5gw AI datacentre in north Devon", 27 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/xlinks-plans-1-5gw-ai-datacentre-in-north-devon

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