Irvine Enterprise Area has been designated as the best overall site in Scotland to attract data centre investment.

In an extensive exercise carried out by Scottish Enterprise, Irvine Bay Regeneration Company said the site came out on top in the 'very large site' category, as well as in the overall rankings.

The rankings were based on a number of criteria and covered a range of incentives, such as ready access to large amounts of power, dual water supplies and connectivity to two fibre trunk routes, plus other key factors looked for by potential investors.

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Further work is now expected to be carried out to evaluate the likely costs of ensuring the sites are well served with essential power and fibre optic. Access to significant and cost-effective data and power solutions are vital in attracting investment from the sector. Irvine Enterprise Area contains a site well-suited to the sector in meeting the criteria, as well as offering valuable Government incentives which allow greater opportunities to invest in plant and machinery, which is ideal for capital intensive businesses such as data centres.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said: "We are working with our partners in Scottish Enterprise and North Ayrshire Council to market the site within the Enterprise Area to the data management sector.

"To have the site confirmed as the best site in the country is a very positive development, and we will continue to work with Scottish Enterprise to ensure that our site meets as many of the criteria the industry looks for as possible."

(JP)