Edinburgh’s Historic RBS HQ to Power the Future as a £350M Green Data Center
Edinburgh’s skyline is set to witness a remarkable transformation as a historic former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters is slated to become one of Europe’s most advanced and sustainable data centers. This ambitious £350 million project, named “Project Banks,” aims to repurpose the iconic building on Dundas Street and Fettes Row into a state-of-the-art hyperscale facility, marking a major milestone for Scotland’s digital infrastructure.
The development, led by Salmus Investments, will breathe new life into the listed building, converting it into a critical hub for the digital age while preserving its architectural heritage. The plan involves creating 15,000 square meters of technical data halls, designed to meet the growing demands of global technology companies, cloud computing providers, and large enterprises.
What Makes This Data Center a Model of Sustainability?
At the core of this project is a profound commitment to environmental responsibility. The facility is being designed to set a new standard for green data centers, moving far beyond traditional, energy-intensive models.
Key sustainable features include:
- 100% Renewable Energy: The data center will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, aligning with Scotland’s ambitious net-zero targets.
- Innovative Water-Cooling System: Instead of relying on conventional, power-hungry air conditioning, the facility will use a highly efficient, closed-loop water-cooling system. This technology significantly reduces energy consumption and environmental impact.
- Waste Heat Reuse: In a truly innovative step, the project plans to capture the waste heat generated by the servers and repurpose it. The developers are exploring how this excess energy can be supplied to a local district heating network, potentially providing low-cost, low-carbon heat to surrounding homes and businesses.
- Adaptive Reuse: By renovating an existing landmark building, the project avoids the significant carbon footprint associated with new construction, championing a circular economy approach.
A Strategic Boost for Scotland’s Digital Economy
This development is more than just a new building; it’s a strategic asset for Scotland. For years, a significant portion of Scotland’s internet traffic and data has been routed through data centers in London and Dublin. The establishment of a major hyperscale facility in Edinburgh will change that dynamic entirely.
Having a powerful, local data hub offers several key advantages:
- Reduced Latency: Businesses and users in Scotland will experience faster and more reliable digital services as data has a shorter distance to travel.
- Increased Data Sovereignty: Hosting data within Scotland provides greater control and security, ensuring compliance with local data protection regulations.
- Attracting Tech Investment: The presence of world-class digital infrastructure makes Edinburgh and Scotland a more attractive location for global technology firms, fostering innovation and economic growth.
The project is expected to be a significant driver of employment, creating up to 500 jobs during its construction phase and approximately 50 permanent, high-skilled technical roles once operational.
Why Sustainable Data Centers Matter for Your Business
As companies increasingly focus on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, the choice of a data center provider has become a critical business decision. Partnering with a facility powered by renewable energy and committed to efficiency can directly contribute to your organization’s sustainability targets.
Moreover, leveraging a local, high-performance data center can enhance your operational resilience and provide a competitive edge. Faster access to data and cloud services improves application performance and user experience, which is essential in today’s fast-paced digital marketplace.
With a formal planning application expected in the coming months, “Project Banks” represents a visionary step forward. It demonstrates how historic landmarks can be repurposed to power our digital future while simultaneously protecting our planet. This project is poised to become a cornerstone of Scotland’s technology scene and a shining example of green innovation.
Source: https://datacentrereview.com/2025/09/former-site-of-rbs-hq-in-edinburgh-could-soon-be-a-green-data-centre/
