Scottish Greens will use an opposition debate on Wednesday to force a vote on halting all hyperscale data centre applications, amid a huge wave of speculative proposals across the country.
The party says its move is prompted by a ‘lack of action” from the Scottish government.
Opponents, led by the Greens, claim that if 24 outstanding applications were approved, they would consume 1.5 times as much electricity as the whole of Scotland currently uses at peak times.
Responding to questions during First Minister’s Questions last week, John Swinney insisted the government had introduced guidelines to ensure community interests were being protected.
In August, the Government announced that planning authorities would be required to notify ministers of data centre applications within seven days of validation.
However, his answers did not satisfy Greens co-leader Ross Greer who called for a pause on all applications until Scotland has a clear national strategy, alongside robust criteria for deciding which projects may be acceptable. The demand has been supported by the SNP’s National Council, and some of its own MSPs.
The Greens want to force the government into taking action and define what constitutes a ‘green’ data centre.
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: “We will be forcing the Scottish Government to make a very simple choice. Will they put a pause on the rush to build hyperscale data centres, or will they continue to allow speculative applications to keep piling up with no national strategy in place?
“The Scottish Government has had plenty of time to act and till now has chosen not to. Telling councils to notify Ministers when an application arrives is not a strategy, and it does nothing to stop these developments. Very basic questions such as what defines a ‘green’ data centre have been left unanswered for far too long.
“If Ministers believe Scotland should continue accepting hyperscale data centres on this scale, they should say so.
“If they recognise that we need a national plan before these projects are allowed to reshape our energy system and our communities, they should back our motion.
“This vote, using the Greens’ parliamentary time, is an opportunity for every MSP, regardless of party allegiance, to stand with communities across Scotland and demand a pause while proper national rules are put in place. The Scottish Government should stop sitting on the fence and back our call for action.”
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