Scottish Greens push for halt on new hyperscale data centre projects

Patrick Harvie, representing the Scottish Greens, highlighted a "huge surge" in plans for massive AI data centres and argued that a moratorium is needed to prevent an unsustainable strain on the nation's power grid. He noted that the first 24 projects could require one and a half times Scotland's total peak electricity use, urging a pause until a comprehensive national strategy and revised planning guidance are produced.

The proposed motion would block planning applications for new hyperscale data centres until these frameworks address cumulative energy demand and environmental effects. Harvie also called on the Scottish Government to heed community campaigns and establish robust criteria that prioritize public interest over speculative tech investments. The debate follows Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad's recent requirement for environmental impact assessments on two data centre proposals in Auchtertool and Wester Hermiston, and a rule that applications over 50 megawatts must be reported to ministers.