SNP National Council right to back halt to hyperscale data centres
The Scottish Greens have welcomed reports that the SNP’s National Council has backed calls to halt the spread of hyperscale data centres across Scotland.
The news, reported in The National, follows months of calls from the Scottish Greens and community campaigners and increases pressure on the Scottish Government to act.
There are currently 24 proposed hyperscale data centres across Scotland. If all are approved, they could consume up to one and a half times Scotland’s peak electricity demand, putting huge pressure on the grid, renewable energy supplies, water resources and climate targets.
Two councils, Edinburgh and East Ayrshire, have also made calls for the Scottish Government to implement a moratorium.
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:
“This is an important step by the SNP’s National Council, and I hope the Scottish Government now acts on it.
“I know there are SNP MSPs who share our concerns about the Big Tech land grab we are seeing and who have backed our calls since we first raised this issue in Parliament.
“Scotland is facing a wave of hyperscale data centre applications that could have profound consequences for our energy system, our environment and our communities.
“The Scottish Government’s tone is beginning to shift. I hope that these reports will encourage them to go further and faster in putting a stop to the speculative applications that we are seeing.
“This should not be a party-political issue. I hope others across our Parliament will join this call until we see meaningful action.
“It is time to pause hyperscale data centre applications until councils have clear guidance, communities have certainty, and Scotland has a coherent national strategy to deal with them instead of a corporate free-for-all.”