Scottish data centre numbers could triple to 70, to meet UK demand

Evidence from a UK Government agency suggests that there could be many more data centres built in Scotland than are in the current planning system, Friends of the Earth Scotland can reveal.

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 making up just 8% of the UK population. This suggests that Scotland could end up with over 70 data centres to meet UK demand, or 16 GW capacity (which is equivalent to the electricity used by 8 million homes).

Communities are protesting proposed hyperscale data centre developments across Scotland as they threaten to destroy local habitats, increase climate pollution and lock Scotland heavily into supply chains for harmful materials. There are 24 proposed publicly known projects, at different stages of planning and pre-planning. 

NESO’s statement that it anticipated “a maximum of 20% of future demand could be located in Scotland” was made as part of its response to the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee ongoing inquiry into data centres. 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.

Last week (18 August), the UK Government announced a major new investment in an AI Growth Zone in North Lanarkshire in Scotland.

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 plans for 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.”