It has been five years since the Scottish Government shared its vision for the country to become a beacon of green data centre developments, but since then, it has been relatively quiet on what that actually means. 

Now, the Scottish Government is facing calls to explain what progress has been made on its green data centre ambitions. 

Gregor Poynton, Labour MP for Livingston, has written to Minister for Business and Fair Work Tom Arthur asking for an update on the Green Datacentres and Digital Connectivity Vision and Action Plan, which was published in March 2021.

The original strategy sought to position Scotland as a ‘leading zero-carbon, cost competitive green data hosting location’, capitalising on the country’s renewable generation, connectivity and potential to attract new investment.

However, five years later, questions are being asked about exactly what has been delivered – especially as Scotland finds itself grappling with growing opposition to hyperscale data centre developments.

Poynton commented, “Scotland has enormous potential to become a world leader in green data centres. We have the natural advantages, the expertise and the opportunity to attract major investment.

“The SNP Scottish Government appeared to recognise that in 2021 when it published its Green Data Centres Strategy. But five years later, what has been delivered?

“This year’s AI Strategy simply repeats many of the same commitments. Most extraordinary of all, ministers are only now promising to publish guidance on what actually constitutes a ‘green’ data centre.

“Five years after launching a Green Data Centres Strategy, Scotland still doesn’t have published guidance on what a green data centre is.

“That raises obvious questions about how much progress has really been made.”

Still waiting for a definition of ‘green’

The issue surrounding what actually constitutes a green data centre has become increasingly important in Scotland.

The Scottish Government’s new AI Strategy 2026-2031, published in March this year, once again commits ministers to attracting data centre investment by promoting Scotland’s renewable energy, digital connectivity and water infrastructure. It also promises to explore heat reuse opportunities and, crucially, “Publish guidance on what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre.”

That guidance is yet to arrive, but it comes at a particularly awkward time for the Scottish Government.

It all started when Edinburgh councillors voted earlier this year to explore a temporary moratorium on AI data centres, with the lack of a clear definition of a green data centre forming a key part of the debate.

The issue has since grown beyond individual councils. In July, the SNP’s National Council backed calls for a temporary moratorium on AI data centre developments, although despite being the party in power the decision is not binding on the Scottish Government.

There is also growing opposition to individual projects. More than 1,200 objections have been lodged against ILI Group’s proposed £5 billion, 600 MW Cato data centre in Fife, with concerns ranging from energy demand to the scale of the development.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh Council rejected plans for a data centre on the former RBS headquarters site earlier this year, after councillors questioned whether the proposed facility could genuinely be considered ‘green’.

That saga is still ongoing. Earlier this month, the Scottish Government ruled that the proposed 210 MW facility would require a full Environmental Impact Assessment before its planning appeal can proceed.

Scotland still wants data centre investment

Despite the growing resistance, Scotland has not abandoned its ambitions to attract data centre investment.

Its latest AI strategy says that by 2031 Scotland should be recognised as a leader in sustainable data centre development, with facilities making use of renewable energy, sustainable water management and heat reuse.

That creates an increasingly difficult balancing act for the Scottish Government. As we’ve previously explored, any Scottish moratorium would probably be less of an outright ban and more of a temporary planning handbrake while ministers develop clearer national rules.

Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad noted, “The Scottish Government acknowledges the significant levels of investment that green data centres can bring to Scotland, however we are clear that the voices of communities must be central to any considerations. In addition, we have a focused, ambitious commitment to deliver an economy that puts community wealth building at the heart of decisions.

“Ministers are giving active consideration as to whether the Scottish Government should provide planning guidance to balance the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centres with national energy and climate goals, which are vital to our future prosperity.”

Poynton wants the Government to go further and provide a full assessment of what has happened since 2021.

He added, “Scotland needs delivery, not another strategy. Ministers should now publish a full update on every commitment they made in 2021, explain what investment has been secured and what economic benefits have been delivered, and show how they intend to turn Scotland’s enormous potential into reality.”

With ministers still promising to attract green data centre investment while simultaneously considering tighter controls on hyperscale developments, greater clarity is likely to become increasingly important for developers and communities alike.