Scotland Orders 50MW Datacentres to Undergo Environmental Reviews as Holyrood Weighs Moratorium
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 16
Scotland Orders 50MW Datacentres to Undergo Environmental Reviews as Holyrood Weighs Moratorium
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 16
Summary
Large datacentre projects in Scotland will now have to file environmental impact assessments if they exceed 50MW, tightening planning rules before a Holyrood vote on a proposed moratorium.
More than 20 large schemes have been proposed as AI infrastructure investment surges, including an Auchtertool, Fife project billed as the world’s second-largest, intensifying scrutiny of power use, water demand and emissions.
The Scottish government said the new requirement aims to balance jobs and investment against energy, climate and community concerns, while creating a standard process for developers from the outset.
Campaigners welcomed the move but said it falls short of what is needed, arguing a pause remains essential; they say the first four applications alone could consume as much electricity as Torness nuclear station, due to close in 2030.
The decision lands as protests over AI datacentres grow and a summit with King Charles at Dumfries House is set to spotlight the technology’s rapid expansion.