Questions on hyperscale data centres and a debate were on the agenda at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday as protesters rallied to call for a moratorium.
Local campaigns against data centres will gathered with many others opposed to the spread of hyperscale data centre developments across Scotland outside the Parliament today. MSPs mingled with the protesters and there was a good showing from the press. There were quote a few items of hyperscale data centres in the chamber in the afternoon and you can see the videos below.
In the afternoon Mark Ruskell MSP asked in General Questions “To ask the Scottish Government whether it has plans to further update planning guidance in relation to the development of hyperscale data centres, following the new data centre planning direction issued on 17 August 2026”
see the exchange here:
General Question from Mark Ruskell MSP
In First Minister’s Questions, Ross Greer MSP asked about the Government plans to put in place a strategic approach to data centres.
FMQ from Ross Greer MSP
At 5pm there was a Member’s Business debate (does not have a vote) from Graham Simpson MSP on hyperscale AI data centres – the motion text was:
“That the Parliament notes with concern proposals for hyperscale AI data centres across the Central Scotland and Lothian West region, including at Ravenscraig, Larbert, Newhouse and West Calder, and near communities affected by the proposed AI Growth Zone at Chapelhall; understands that such developments may rely on diesel generators to support 24/7 operation; further understands that there are concerns over potential nitrogen oxide emissions; recognises that there are community concerns about the cumulative impact on air quality, emissions, green space and energy costs; regrets that National Planning Framework 4 does not define “green data centres”, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to issue urgent guidance on the term, including in relation to the use of gas and diesel power and the air quality standards that should apply.“
Members’ Debate from Graham Simpson MSP
We have written a briefing on the motion to help MSPs in taking part which focuses on elements in the motion: diesel generators, emissions, green space, energy costs, NPF4 and ‘green data centres’. As well as giving an overview of the current Scotland situation, and other background.
Hyperscale AI Data Centres – briefing for MSPs
SCCS have written to the First Minister and the other party leaders calling for a moratorium on hyperscale data centres until they have studied the impacts on grid, climate and communities and have an appropriate definition for ‘green data centre’ and have put hyperscale and AI data centres on schedule 1 of the EIA regulations. This briefing gives more information on hyperscale data centres planned in Scotland.
The debate was extremely well attended accross the parties and we thank all the MSPs who took part in the debate. The list is below.
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Reform) who brought the debate with contributions from:
- Stephen Kerr (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
- Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)
- Jenny Young (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Lab)
- Meghan Gallacher (Central Scotland and Lothians West) (Con)
- Patricia Gibson (Cunninghame South) (SNP)
- Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
- Stuart McMillan (Inverclyde) (SNP)
- Gary Bouse (Falkirk West) (SNP)
- Monica Lennon (Glasgow) (Lab)
- Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
- David Torrance (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)
- Steven Bonnar (Uddingston and Bellshill) (SNP)
- Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
- Adam Harley (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (LD)
- Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
- David Kirkwood (South Scotland) (Reform)
- Angela Ross (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Reform)
- Duncan Dunlop (South Scotland) (LD)
Press Release
Today community campaigns against plans for proposed hyperscale data centres across Scotland, and their supporters, gathered outside the Scottish Parliament to call for a moratorium. Around 300-400 people gathered with colourful placards to ask MSPs to listen to their concerns about the environmental and community impact of these huge developments.
APRS are calling on the Scottish Government to put in place a pause on hyperscale AI data centres while they examine the impacts they have on communities, climate goals and the electricity grid, and there is robust guidance for local authority decision makers and a strategic approach. At present
Scotland has 21 proposed developments in the planning system (5 that have put in planning applications and the rest in earlier stages) for hyperscale data centres between 200-1000MW in size and two more that are being planned. The total energy demands of these add up to 7000MW, more than one and a half times Scotland’s peak winter power demand. The UK Government estimated that Scotland had 30MW of data centre capacity in 2024.
Campaigners say that the developments will impact climate targets, the electricity grid and energy prices, and that they will badly affect local communities due to noise, pollution from diesel generators and because many are being built on greenbelts or agricultural land.
The Scottish Government have made some moves towards monitoring hyperscale data centre planning applications, and announcing a strategic approach to hyperscale data centers in their programme for Government on Tuesday, but the protestors are calling for more.
Kat Jones, Director of APRS said:
“Today representatives from fifteen local community campaigns, and supporters from across Scotland, gathered outside Holyrood to give a really clear message to MSPs. We are asking for an immediate pause on planning applications for hyperscale data centres so that we can allow policy and governance to catch up with the pace of development.
“There is now 1.2GW of data centre power demand in live planning applications in Scotland alone. This is a huge amount of energy – the same as Torness nuclear power station generates – so if the Scottish Government wants a strategic approach, as they announced in their Programme for Government, they need to urgently put these planning applications on hold to allow the time for the strategic work to be done.
“The rate that developers putting in planning applications fro huge hyperscale data centres is rapidly eclipsing the power of the Scottish Government to take any control of the situation. We are here to emphasise the urgency of the situation.” “Communities across Scotland face the threat of a hyperscale data centres, with new proposals continuing to appear. The status quo means they will continue to have fears over air quality, loss of local green spaces, and an effective end to hopes for meeting our climate targets. People can’t sell their homes and businesses cannot invest. A planning moratorium is the only route out of this uncertainty.”
“If the Scottish Government want a strategic approach for data centre development, as they announced on Tuesday, they need to put a moratorium on the wild west of speculative developments sweeping across Scotland.”
Sarah Matthews of the West Edinburgh/ Hermiston Campaign said:
“We feel that Scottish communities haven’t been listened to and we are left worried about our future. Innovation without governance isn’t progress.
“We aren’t against progress but consider transparency, assessment and accountability as key factors for any decision making particularly when there is so much at stake. We hear a lot about economic benefits and investment but are left in the dark about what this means.”
“As a mum of two little girls, aged two and four, I find a lack of distinct guidance deeply concerning. These poor decisions will shape the Scotland our children inherit. It’s the AI data centre Wild West and we need a moratorium now”
Hazel McQueen of the Larbert Campaign said:
“We have been shouting about this for months and asking someone to actually stop and listen to the people of Larbert. We’ve proved that ordinary people standing together can make one hell of a noise when we need to and we are not going to stop until we have seen off the threat to our communit