Government sending mixed messages on data centre definition
The Scottish Government is letting down communities with conflicting messages over what constitutes a “green” data centre, and has caused alarm over the prospect of the industry regulating itself, following written answers to questions from Patrick Harvie MSP.
At First Minister’s Questions on 3 September, John Swinney referred to a data centre application in Edinburgh as a ‘green’ data centre, despite it relying on 200 diesel backup generators, the equivalent of 100,000 idling cars according to APRS.
In the same session, the First Minister said: “Green data centres must be powered from renewable energy sources, make use of energy-efficient technologies, seek to minimise water consumption and support the reuse of excess heat.”
However, asked what justified the First Minister describing the same Edinburgh development as ‘green’ the Public Finance Minister said: “The reference to a green data centre has been taken directly from the description of development provided by the applicant”, raising concerns that the industry is setting its own climate rules and regulating itself.
Scottish Government ministers are yet to set out an agreed definition with measurable environmental requirements or explain how those requirements would be enforced.
Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said:
“The Scottish Government cannot keep allowing AI big tech developers to set their own rules, whilst communities are sidelined.
“The First Minister said clearly that green data centres must meet environmental requirements, but his own minister explained that he called a particular development ‘green’, just because the developer described it that way.
“Any development that is approved to be ‘green’ must improve lives for the people who live here, and respect our climate commitments. We should treat environmental claims from those seeking to profit with deep scepticism.
“Allowing an industry to shape its own regulation rarely ends well. Scotland has endured generations of its natural wealth being exploited for international profit, while workers and communities are left fighting for investment and a secure future. That cannot be repeated with AI and the data centres required to run it.
“Communities need clear rules they can rely on. Instead, they are getting mixed messages, promises of future expectations and developers’ empty claims repeated by the First Minister. The Scottish Government must work with Parliament, communities, workers, trade unions, local businesses and environmental experts to agree on a definition grounded in science and the needs of the people who live here, not based on the industry lobbyists’ marketing.”
Patrick added:
“The Scottish Greens support technological advancement that improves people’s lives. Scotland’s renewable energy, water and land should support thriving communities, local businesses and secure jobs, rather than simply swelling the bank accounts of multinational tech companies.
“That must include measurable requirements for renewable energy, energy efficiency, water conservation and the recovery and use of waste heat, alongside lasting benefits for communities and workers. Those requirements must be backed by law and enforced.”