Scotland will require environmental impact assessments for new datacenters larger than 50MW, following concerns over water usage and energy demand from the AI boom. The government aims to balance economic interests with environmental and community needs, while campaigners push for a moratorium on new projects.
The new regulations in Scotland signal a growing trend of governments scrutinizing the environmental impact of datacenters, particularly those supporting AI, as energy demand and resource consumption become critical concerns for national infrastructure and climate goals.
Scotland has introduced mandatory environmental impact assessments for new datacenters exceeding 50MW, responding to growing concerns about the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure. The Scottish government stated that this measure aims to balance economic development and employment interests with national energy, climate, and community wealth-building ambitions. Public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad emphasized that requiring these assessments from the outset will create a level playing field for developers and ensure significant environmental effects are considered.
Campaigners, however, argue that this is insufficient and continue to push for a moratorium on new hyperscale datacenters. They cite concerns over water usage, carbon emissions, and the strain on Scotland's energy grid. Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, noted that the first four applications under consideration could consume as much energy as the Torness nuclear power station, which is slated for closure in 2030. The Scottish Greens have also filed a motion calling for a pause on new projects until a comprehensive national strategy and updated planning guidance are established.
The announcement comes ahead of a vote on a moratorium in the Scottish Parliament and amid a global surge in investment in AI infrastructure, which relies heavily on datacenters for data storage and processing. One proposed datacentre in Fife has been described as the second-largest in the world.