Two Scottish Government committees are seeking views on the impacts of hyperscale data centres in Scotland. A call for evidence closes on 15 November 2026 and comes ahead of the publication of new Scottish Government national planning and spatial guidance for large-scale data centres which is expected before Christmas. Hyperscale data centres are designed for large-scale workloads and are used for a wide variety of purposes, including artificial intelligence (AI). There are currently no hyperscale data centres in Scotland but there are more than 20 proposed.
The Climate Action Committee (CAC) is examining environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres, whilst the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee (ETEC) is considering the potential economic and energy implications. Specific planning applications for hyperscale data centres are expressly excluded from the call for evidence.
Environmental impacts
The CAC’s inquiry aims to increase public awareness of the environmental impacts of AI use and data centres in Scotland. The CAC would like to understand the potential environmental concerns of the construction and operation of hyperscale data centres including on water consumption. A large amount of fresh water is required for cooling data centres, to prevent the servers from overheating.
Other areas of focus include air quality, biodiversity, noise pollution and energy use. The CAC is also exploring opportunities to reduce emissions, including by reusing the heat generated by the data centres rather than allowing it to go waste. The inquiry asks how adverse impacts could be reduced and what Scotland can learn from other countries where hyperscale data centres already operate.
The CAC is holding evidence sessions in October and November. It has also agreed to undertake further work on hyperscale data centres and will consider its approach to that work at a later date.
Energy system and economic impacts
The ETEC is seeking evidence on the potential impact of hyperscale data centres on jobs, investment, supply chains and tax revenues. It also asks to what extent any economic benefits would remain in Scotland.
On energy, the questions cover electricity demand and generation, network infrastructure and opportunities to use curtailed renewable electricity. On 15 September 2026, the ETEC ran an evidence-taking session, prior to the publication of the call for evidence, where the location of these proposed data centres was a key point, including the strategic locating of data centres to help with surplus wind energy.
The potential to use surplus renewable energy therefore forms part of a wider question about how data centres could fit into Scotland’s energy system.
“Green” data centres
Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) designates green data centres as a national development under National Development 12: Digital Fibre Network, however there is currently a lack of guidance as to what a green data centre actually is. The call for evidence expressly asks what criteria a hyperscale data centre should meet, in order to be considered green. Responses could help bring greater clarity and consistency to how planning authorities assess these proposals.
The call for evidence also comes during a time of increasing ministerial oversight over data centres in Scotland, as discussed in our recent blog.
Looking Ahead
Responses are invited via both a detailed call for views and a short survey, with the consultation closing at 23:59 on 15 November 2026. From there both committees will share findings with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, who has responsibility for planning matters.
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