SNP fail to block AI Data Centres
The Scottish Government’s new approach to data centre developments is a welcome step in but falls short of the moratorium needed, the Scottish Greens have said.
The party’s climate spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, has called for an immediate pause on approving new large-scale data centres while a binding national framework is developed to protect Scotland’s energy network, climate targets, water resources and communities.
The Scottish Government announcement outlines that councils must notify ministers about applications for data centres exceeding 50MW, but does not prevent developments from being approved.
Scottish Greens climate spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“This is an important first step, but it falls far short of the pause Scotland urgently needs.
“Today’s announcement has not actually paused or prevented a single hyperscale data centre from being approved, and the Scottish Government have still to define what a so-called ‘green’ data centre actually is.
“Likewise, the new environmental assessment requirements for proposals in Edinburgh and Fife are important, but they need to apply to every proposal.
“While it is welcome that ministers have finally listened to the Scottish Greens and others, and have recognised the need for greater scrutiny, monitoring the pipeline of applications is not the same as managing it.
“Until the impact on our energy grid, water supplies, climate targets and communities has been properly assessed and councils have clear guidance, there must be a pause on all applications.
“We cannot allow a rush of speculative developments to be approved one by one without understanding the impact on our climate, infrastructure and communities.
Mark added:
"These hyperscale data centres can place enormous demands on our electricity grid and water supplies. When hundreds of megawatts of renewable electricity are diverted from homes to hyperscale data centres, our efforts to transition to renewables could be undone.
“That is why there must be a moratorium on approving new large-scale data centres until Scotland has a binding national framework.
“That framework should require full environmental assessments, demonstrate that developments can be powered sustainably ensuring that local communities receive lasting jobs and public benefits, first and foremost.”