Time to halt drive for hyperscale data centres
The Scottish Greens have urged the Scottish Government to act on growing calls for a halt to the wave of hyperscale data centre applications.
In a letter to the First Minister, the party’s economy spokesperson, Patrick Harvie, has urged him to commit to:
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An urgent moratorium on data centre proposals over 50MW while
national guidance is updated
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A clear and precise definition of ‘green data centres’ which planning
authorities can enforce rather than merely request compliance with
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A requirement for all data centre proposals above 50MW to go through
an Environmental Impact Assessment
Since the Greens first raised the issue at First Minister's Questions last month they have been joined by the SNP’s National Council, thousands of campaigners across the country and Edinburgh and East Ayrshire councils.
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.
Patrick Harvie said:
“Across Scotland, communities are becoming increasingly concerned about the threat that hyperscale data centres pose to their local areas and environment. We’re facing a land grab, and an energy grab, that will profit the tech giants at everyone else’s expense.
“Communities around the world have experienced energy price rises as a direct result of these kinds of developments, and we don’t want the same thing to happen here.
“The impact of these centres would be massive, but the lack of clear guidance means that our councils are being forced to make hugely important decisions in the dark.
“Thousands of people have already joined our call for a pause on all of these hyperscale applications until the Scottish Government gives our councils the tools they need to make informed decisions.
“We don't have time to waste. These applications are coming in thick and fast, and we need to make sure that none of these developments are decided before the right safeguards are even in place.
“It’s time for the First Minister to show leadership by pausing these applications and bringing together MSPs and councillors from across the political spectrum so that we can develop a clear national approach that puts an end to this corporate free-for-all.”
TEXT OF LETTER FROM PATRICK HARVIE TO JOHN SWINNEY
Dear First Minister,
Scottish Government planning guidance on hyperscale data centres.
I am writing to follow up on recent exchanges at FMQs with the Scottish Green
Party co-leaders in regards to planning guidance on hyperscale data centres,
and in light of reports of a policy decision taken by the SNP’s national council.
As you are aware, communities across Scotland are increasingly concerned
about the impact proposed hyperscale data centres pose to their local
environment, energy resources and climate action. Councils and planning
authorities have stated that they do not have the necessary guidance to make
decisions on the high number of data centre proposals that have been
submitted in the last twelve months.
Estimates suggest that the combined energy demand of all of the currently
proposed hyperscale data centres is equivalent to one and a half times the peak
energy use of the whole of Scotland. Trying to accommodate all of these
proposals risks seeing Scotland’s renewable energy output diverted away from
critical sectors such as transport and domestic heating to powering hyperscale
data centres. While the impact on energy bills is not directly within the control of
the Scottish Government, it would inevitably be harmful.
As Scottish Greens’ spokesperson for AI policy, I acknowledge that some data
centres are necessary for today’s internet and digital services that we all rely on,
and for socially beneficial use of new technology. However these needs are
being met by data infrastructure which exists on a smaller scale.
The current wave of proposals for hyperscale data centres appearing across Scotland is primarily driven by the unregulated and speculative growth of AI, and the scale outstrips what is feasible for local communities and for meeting our climate
goals.
For these reasons, I am seeking your urgent confirmation that the Scottish
Government will make the following commitments, which would be in line with
the Scottish Greens’ calls and the SNP National Council’s decision:
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an urgent moratorium on data centre proposals over 50MW while
national guidance is updated
-
a clear and precise definition of ‘green data centres’ which planning
authorities can enforce rather than merely request compliance with
-
a requirement for all data centre proposals above 50MW to go through
an Environmental Impact Assessment
In addition to these immediate steps, I would also raise a number of wider points.
I urge the Government to seek input and approval from Parliament committees
for the definition of ‘green data centres’. In particular there will be a need to
ensure that proposed developments are held to specific standards in terms of
water management, dedicated renewable generation capacity, financial
contribution to grid upgrades where necessary, and full connection to heat
networks from the outset with a long term commitment to supply heat at an
affordable price. Vague notions such as a development being “heat network
ready” will be meaningless without network availability.
I also encourage you to engage with the UK Government on the role Scottish
Ministers play in the energy system. The Scottish Government has a decision
making role in relation to electricity generation, but does not have equivalent
powers in relation to developments which would be very large scale consumers.
The current wave of hyperscale data centre proposals demonstrates that this
mismatch is problematic if we want to see Scotland’s electricity system develop
in line with net zero obligations. The creation of complementary powers on grid
connection for large scale electricity users seems necessary.
Finally I would also welcome cross party dialogue on how wider AI policy needs
to develop. The Scottish Government’s current AI strategy acknowledges that
the risks are poorly understood, and the section on mitigation contains only one
page of relatively high level aspirations, some of which are clearly being undermined already such as “reduce pressure on energy systems”. It is clear
that much more detailed work is required here.
I am aware that discussions are taking place across a number of Parliamentary
committees about the potential implications of AI across many areas of policy. I
would expect that the same is happening within Government. While there is
clearly a mix of opportunity and risk, we will only maximise the former and
minimise the latter if there is a coherent approach and, where possible, a shared
vision across parties.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Patrick Harvie