This is a response to our letter of 18th December to the Minister responsible for Planning, Ivan McKee about our concerns about data centres.

Read our letter to the Minister

6 January 2026

Dear Dr Jones and Dr Christman,  

Thank you for your letter of 18 December regarding data centres and the planning system. I appreciate the detailed analysis you have provided and the concerns you have raised about the potential cumulative impact of hyperscale data centres on Scotland’s energy system and climate targets. 

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring that data centre development aligns with our national priorities, including achieving net zero, maintaining security of supply, and supporting a sustainable economy. We also acknowledge the questions around what constitutes a ‘green data centre’ and the implications of large-scale developments for energy demand. 

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) identifies digital infrastructure as a national development to support Scotland’s economic and social needs. However, this does not remove the requirement for planning authorities to assess proposals against relevant policies, including those on climate change, energy, and environmental impact. It remains for decision-makers to interpret and apply NPF4 and the relevant local development plan in the context of individual cases, taking account of all material considerations. 

In Scotland the development plan consists of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Local Development Plan for the area. National Development status does not grant planning permission for the development and all relevant consents are required. Designation establishes the need for such infrastructure and means that the principle of the development does not need to be agreed in later consenting processes, providing more certainty for communities, business and investors. 

Existing provisions under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 already ensure that environmental impacts are considered where proposals are likely to have significant effects. This includes assessment of energy use, water consumption, and emissions where relevant. Planning authorities require Environmental Impact Assessments where thresholds are met or significant impacts are anticipated, ensuring robust scrutiny of proposals. 

Specifically, in regards to the issues you raise over the demands placed by data centres upon the energy network, I can advise that work is already underway through the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) and Connections Accelerator programmes which will help inform how Scotland manages future energy demand, including from data centres, in a way that supports grid resilience and our net zero pathway. These initiatives are designed to ensure that energy infrastructure planning and investment are coordinated with wider economic and environmental objectives. We welcome UKG’s Connections Accelerator proposals and will work closely to ensure viable Scottish projects benefit. We will also engage fully on the UKG’s energy costing consultations when it is launched. 

In October 2024, the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments jointly commissioned NESO to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain. The SSEP will assess the optimal locations, quantities and types of energy infrastructure required, across a range of plausible futures, to meet future energy demand with the clean, affordable and secure supply that we need. This includes spatially optimising 1-2 GW of data centres, to provide the government and industry with evidence and indicate where opportunities for energy system benefits exist, supporting future development of government policy on the spatial location of data centre demand. 

We will continue to work closely with NESO, Ofgem and the UK and Welsh Governments on the plan as it develops, to ensure that it aligns with and respects devolved powers, planning mechanisms and ambitions, delivers real benefits for the people and communities of Scotland and supports our ongoing efforts for a just transition, while maintaining developer and investor confidence.  

The SSEP will assess the optimal locations, quantities and types of energy infrastructure required, across a range of plausible futures, to meet future energy demand with the clean, affordable and secure supply that we need. This includes spatially optimising 1-2 GW of data centres, to provide the government and industry with evidence and indicate where opportunities for energy system benefits exist, supporting future development of government policy on the spatial location of data centre demand. In terms of Scotland’s renewable power generating capacity, in 2023, 70% of electricity generated in Scotland was from renewable sources – a marked increase compared to less than one third (32%) a decade previously. As of June 2025, there is an estimated capacity of 76.5 GW of renewable energy projects, including storage, in the planning pipeline in Scotland. This means there is ample opportunity to use excess renewable generation for data centres, helping to reduce the impact and taxpayer costs of network constraints, with £390 million paid to Scottish wind farm operators in 2024 alone.  

For clarity, the Scottish Government does not intend to introduce a moratorium on data centre developments. Our focus is on ensuring that planning decisions and energy system planning are aligned with Scotland’s statutory climate targets and energy security objectives. We will continue to work with planning authorities, the Improvement Service, and industry stakeholders to ensure that guidance and best practice support robust decision-making. Supported through the National Planning Hub, my officials will be working closely with colleagues in The Improvement Service and the National Planning Improvement Champion in the coming months to bring forwards tailored support and guidance to assist planning authorities in the determination of Data Centre Development proposals.  

I would be happy for you to meet with my officials to discuss your concerns in more detail at this time.  If you would like to take up such a meeting, please make contact via directorpar@gov.scot 

Thank you again for raising these important issues. 

Yours sincerely, 

IVAN McKEE