Key facts
- Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Holyrood to demand a pause on Scotland's datacentre boom.
- Campaigners are calling for an immediate moratorium on new datacentre projects.
- Concerns include environmental impact, energy use, and the need for clear planning guidance.
- The Scottish government stated it would take a strategic approach to datacentres, focusing on sustainability and community benefit.
- At least 20 datacentre projects are proposed in Scotland, with more rumoured.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Holyrood in Edinburgh to call for an immediate moratorium on the construction of new datacentres in Scotland. The campaign, spearheaded by figures like Kat Jones of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, argues that the rapid build-out of these energy-intensive facilities poses an existential threat to local environments and communities.
Campaigners are demanding that the Scottish government produce analysis on the environmental impact of datacentres and establish clear planning guidance, particularly on the definition of a "green" datacentre. While First Minister John Swinney indicated a strategic approach with expectations around environmental sustainability, he stopped short of agreeing to a moratorium, a move that has left campaigners dissatisfied.
Concerns have been voiced across Scotland, from Dunbar to Greenock, regarding the scale and location of proposed datacentres, some of which are planned in rural areas, near reservoirs, and close to residential homes. Kathleen White, campaigning against a £2bn project in the Lammermuirs hills, described it as a "monstrosity" that would cover eight hectares of greenfield land.
The opposition to large-scale datacentres is seen as a growing threat to the UK's broader AI strategy, which has identified "AI growth zones" for datacentre development. British officials have previously encouraged developers to look towards Scotland due to its renewable energy and water resources. However, mounting public anger and the potential for a moratorium could jeopardise this pivot.
Supporters of the moratorium include the Scottish Greens and Reform UK. Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, stated that the proposed hyper-scale datacentres could require more energy than Scotland's current peak demand, deeming it unfeasible. The Scottish government has implemented a requirement for planning authorities to notify ministers of datacentre applications exceeding 50MW to monitor infrastructure impact, emphasizing the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental and community interests.
Despite these measures, campaigners like Jones fear Scotland could be overwhelmed without a formal national strategy, advocating for a pause to allow for proper planning. The public finance minister, Hannah Mary Goodlad, assured that the voices of affected communities would be central to any considerations regarding datacentres.