Scotland could house 20% of UK data centres – Daily Business

One in five of the UK’s data centres could be housed in Scotland, according to a new report as evidence suggests there could be many more data centres built in Scotland than are in the current planning system.

There are 24 proposed and publicly known projects at different stages of planning and pre-planning, the latest being a project proposed for the site of the former IBM plant in Greenock.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO), which is responsible for planning and operating UK energy systems, has stated that up to 20% of the UK’s data centres could be located in Scotland, despite the country making up just 8% of the UK population. 

This suggests that Scotland could be the location for more than 70 data centres to meet UK demand, or 16GW of capacity, which is equivalent to the electricity used by 8 million homes.

Business groups and public bodies are lobbying for more data centres which are seen as essential to drive technological change and handle increasing demand for digital services.

Communities are expressing concerns over the impact of proposed hyperscale data centre developments, though proposals for brownfield sites may secure a more favourable response.

Slate Island Developments has applied to Inverclyde Council to redevelop the vacant land occupied by IBM at Spango Valley for 60 years. It closed in 2016 and the buildings were demolished in 2020.

The 70-acre site is owned by McGill’s Buses owners Sandy and James Easdale who failed to secure plans for housing.

The indicative proposal from Slate Island Developments includes four data centre buildings providing around 80,000 sq m of floorspace.

The Scottish government has demanded that local authorities notify it of large scale proposals.

NESO’s statement was made as part of its response to the inquiry into data centres by the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee. Separately, Ofgem has said that data centre plans will require 80GW across the UK. Current plans in Scotland add up 4.5GW but this would need to rise to 16GW to meet NESO’s projection, according to Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Last week, the UK Government announced a £300 million investment in an AI Growth Zone in North Lanarkshire.

Kim Pratt, senior campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “It seems that current plans, which have already seen massive pushback against huge data centres across Scotland, are only the tip of the iceberg, and that numbers could triple to over 70 data centres in Scotland if UK projections are acted on. 

‘The Scottish Government has an opportunity to stand up to Westminster by introducing a moratorium on data centres in its plansfor the next year, which will be published tomorrow (1 September). 

“Councils need guidance on these decisions so they can protect people and nature until proper safeguards on these monster developments are put in place.

‘The UK Government and its bodies are pushing data centres and their polluting and harmful impacts north of the border, creating an unfair burden for the people of Scotland. Planning powers are devolved so the UK Government has no right to do this.”