Scotland is participating in a global effort to construct numerous large-scale data centres. Plans currently exist to erect a minimum of 23 substantial AI-powered data centres across the nation.
Supporters argue that these facilities could attract billions of pounds in investment and generate thousands of employment opportunities. Conversely, opponents express worry regarding the effect of data centres on local populations, energy consumption, and noise levels.
DataVita's site in Airdrie is considered the largest data centre in Scotland, boasting a capacity of 12MW. Should the proposed data centre at Chapelcross in Dumfries and Galloway proceed, it would possess a capacity reaching 1,000MW.
The planned facility situated at Auchtertool would feature a capacity of 600MW. The Scottish Greens and various campaign groups have formally requested a temporary halt on building large data centres.
The Scottish government, however, has declined to impose a moratorium on these large data centres. The Scottish government announced in August that ministers must receive notification for any proposed data centres exceeding 50MW in capacity.
The government rejected the Scottish Greens' call for pausing applications until new national guidelines become active. Furthermore, the Scottish government stipulated that environmental impact assessments must be submitted for such projects.
The Scottish government stated that it was "highly unlikely" any large data centres would receive approval before Christmas.
