WHAT’S THE ISSUE?

Fuelling the expansion of AI are many resource-intensive Hyperscale Data Centres. These facilities that house the IT equipment that the digital world relies upon. Including servers for storage, processing and distribution of data. This physical infrastructure uses lots of energy and water, both for cooling and indirectly for electricity generation. To give context, a Hyperscale Data Centre is considered to consume 10MW or more of continuous power demand. This is equivalent to the energy usage of 10,000 homes. Increasing AI capabilities requires building more Hyperscale Data Centres to power the technology. 

Across the UK Hyperscale Data Centres compete with local requirements, for water and energy, cause pollution and drive up energy prices due to demands on the grid. Subsequently there are serious concerns about the ability to support their growth whilst staying within our climate targets.  

There are currently proposals for 24 new data centres in Scotland over the next five years. Many of these developments are expected to require 200MW or more of electricity. Combined they have an energy requirement equivalent to 1.5 x the entire country’s current energy consumption. As Scotland’s only now becoming sufficiently powered by renewable energy, bringing these data centres online would divert this energy from efforts to decarbonise the economy.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Planning permission for new Hyperscale Data Centres is currently within the remit of local authorities. They make decisions on a case-by-case basis; without oversight of the cumulative impact. And with promises of job creation and wider community benefit being unfounded, campaigners across the country are calling for a pause to this unfettered development.Both the Scottish Greens and the SNP National Council have called for a moratorium on new Hyperscale Data Centres, until their environmental, economic and social impacts can be better understood. Now they are asking for updated planning guidance to avoid negatively impacting our energy security. 

TAKE ACTION

We agree with our colleagues at SCCAN. Data Centres are being developed too quickly for people to understand what they could mean for their communities, or to have a real say in decisions that could affect them for decades to come.  

They argue that local people should have the opportunity to learn more about these proposals and have a meaningful say in decisions that could affect their communities for decades to come.

Join the call for a moratorium on data centres by adding your signature to this petition:

Action to Protect Rural Scotland petition

Explore the ARPS campaign here, including a map showing where Hyperscale Data Centres are currently proposed across Scotland.

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