Scotland imposes mandatory environmental assessments on new datacentres

The Scottish government has announced mandatory environmental assessments for new datacentres above 50MW as concerns grow over the impact of the AI boom. The proposal, made ahead of a vote on a moratorium on new hyperscale datacentres, requires projects of this size to submit environmental impact assessments before proceeding. Scotland has witnessed a surge in planning applications for large datacentres due to increased global investment in AI infrastructure.

One notable project, in Auchtertool, Fife, is among over 20 large datacentres proposed so far. Campaigners have expressed concerns about water usage, carbon emissions, and whether Scotland can handle the resulting surge in energy demand. The Scottish Greens have proposed a moratorium on new projects until a national strategy and updated planning guidance are in place, considering cumulative impacts on energy demand and the environment.

The public finance minister, Hannah Mary Goodlad, acknowledged the evolving evidence on environmental impact and emphasized balancing economic and employment interests with national energy, climate, and community wealth-building ambitions. While requiring environmental impact assessments is seen as a "no-brainer" by activists like Kat Jones, questions remain about the impact of the datacentre buildout on Scotland's infrastructure.

A modest pause in planning decisions is deemed essential to allow the government to develop necessary guidance, assess capacity needs, and manage potential impacts on the grid and climate.