Last week was a busy one in the Parliament for our campaign as questions on hyperscale data centres were raised in the chamber and in written questions, after a huge public response to news of the Fife 600MW Data Centre application.
We are very disappointed with the answers to the written questions (below) which show that the Scottish Government is not taking seriously the clear impacts that hyperscale AI data centres will have on our green house targets and particulate pollution. We are especially concernsed that the statement ‘AI infrastructure developments should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions and we encourage developers to explore renewable and sustainable alternatives to gas fired generation ‘wherever possible‘ (our emphasis) is extremely weak, and amounts to a polluter’s charter.
Portfolio Questions
Mark Ruskell (Scottish Greens, Mid Scotland and Fife) asked the following question to the Minister for Public Finances (which has the remit for Planning), Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP
Mark Ruskell S7O-00034 To ask the Scottish Government whether planning authorities have adequate guidance on how to assess proposed hyperscale AI data centres.
And had supplementary questions from
- Claire Baker (Scottish Labour, Mid Scotland and Fife)
- Julie MacDougall (Reform, Mid Scotland and Fife)
- Duncan Dunlop (Scottish Liberal Democrats, South of Scotland)
You can listen to the exchange here:
Written Questions
Question reference: S7W-00338
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 26 May 2026
- Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has carried out of the potential particulate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with diesel and gas backup generation that might be required for hyperscale AI data centres proposed in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government has not undertaken a separate national assessment of emissions associated with gas and diesel back up generation for hyperscale data centres. An assessment of environmental impacts is undertaken aspart of the planning process for individual developments.
Question reference: S7W-00337
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 26 May 2026
- Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that greenhouse gas emissions analysis underpinning its “green data centre” policy might not fully account for hyperscale AI data centres, what plans it has to review these figures.
Answer
To support preparation of National Planning Framework 4, the then Scottish Government commissioned independent research on the Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of NPF4 proposed National Developments. This was first published in 2021 and updated in October 2022.
As the scale and characteristics of data centre developments evolve, we will continue to monitor developments and consider whether further evidence gathering is required. In the meantime, any proposed development schemes remain subject to planning and environmental assessment requirements.
Question reference: S7W-00336
- Asked by: Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 26 May 2026
- Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 4 June 2026
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of data centres applying for gas connections, how many such applications it is aware of in Scotland, and what its position is on gas-fired power generation for data centres.
Answer
The Scottish Government is not routinely sighted on applications for gas connections, but we are aware there are emerging data centre proposals that may have a gas component. The Scottish Government policy position is that new AI infrastructure developments should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions and we encourage developers to explore renewable and sustainable alternatives to gas fired generation wherever possible.
You can see other questions related to the campaign that have been asked previously in the parliament here: