The UK government has confirmed up to £750 million in funding to build a new national supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh, reviving a project that was shelved last summer. The announcement, made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the Spending Review, marks a significant investment in the UK’s scientific and technological infrastructure and positions Scotland at the heart of the country’s ambitions for artificial intelligence and research innovation.
The new supercomputer will be the most powerful in the UK, providing researchers nationwide with access to world-class computing power. The facility is expected to drive breakthroughs in fields ranging from medicine and climate change to sustainable air travel and artificial intelligence.
The project was previously shelved in August 2024 amid concerns about its focus and funding, but the government has now recommitted to the initiative as part of a broader strategy to boost economic growth and technological leadership.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
“We are investing in Scotland’s renewal, so working people are better off. Strong investment in our science and technology sector is part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth, and as the home of the UK’s largest supercomputer, Scotland will be an integral part of that journey.”
The supercomputer will be housed at the University of Edinburgh’s Advanced Computing Facility, building on the institution’s decades-long expertise in high-performance computing and artificial intelligence
. Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, welcomed the investment, stating:
“This significant investment will have a profoundly positive impact on the UK’s global standing, and we welcome the vast opportunities it will create for research and innovation. Building on the University of Edinburgh’s expertise and experience over decades, this powerful supercomputer will drive economic growth by supporting advancements in medicine, bolstering emerging industries and public services, and unlocking the full potential of AI.”
Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, described the move as a “landmark moment” for Scotland:
“This is a landmark moment and will place Scotland at the forefront of the UK’s technological revolution. The £750 million investment in Edinburgh’s new supercomputer places Scotland at the cutting edge of computing power globally. This will see Scotland playing a leading role in creating breakthroughs that have a global benefit – such as new medicines, health advances, and climate change solutions. This is the Plan for Change – delivering real opportunities and economic growth for communities across Scotland.”
The new supercomputer will vastly exceed the capacity of the UK’s current national system, ARCHER2, and will work alongside the AI Research Resource, a network of advanced computing facilities supporting scientific research across the country. Further details about the system’s capabilities are expected to be released in the government’s upcoming Compute Roadmap later this summer.
