SNP block Green moratorium on hyperscale AI data centres
It is “bitterly disappointing” that the SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrats have voted to block Green proposals for a simple, straightforward moratorium on hyperscale data centres in Scotland.
Despite the SNP National Council having called for a moratorium this summer, during the debate the Minister responsible for planning, Hannah Mary Goodlad, said “We do not agree that there should be a moratorium. That is not necessary, it's not appropriate, and it would send the wrong message to anyone looking to invest in Scotland.”
Green proposals would have resulted in an unambiguous pause on all data centre applications over 50MW until a robust national strategy is in place, alongside clear guidance for local councils on how these developments should be assessed.
Currently, there are dozens of active planning applications across the country for massive new data centres, with decisions due for at least two of these centres before the end of this year. If just the first 24 applications are approved, they would consume 1.5 times as much electricity as the whole of Scotland currently uses at peak times.
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:
“It is bitterly disappointing that the SNP, Labour and Lib Dems have voted to block Green proposals for a clear and unambiguous halt on hyperscale data centres. I know that even many SNP members and supporters will be asking what the Government is thinking of.
“This debate was a chance for MSPs to reassure local communities, and to put the national interest ahead of the interests of big business, but they have done the opposite. Instead they have chosen to muddy the waters and thrown up more questions than answers."
Patrick added:
“Without a robust national strategy and guidance in place, our councils are being asked to make decisions in isolation.
“They are being expected to assess individual applications while the combined impact of dozens of hyperscale developments is effectively left out of the picture.
“The Greens will continue to press for proper national planning to put limits on this industry, and for communities to have a meaningful say over developments that could transform their local areas and place enormous demands on Scotland’s energy system.”