Scotland is experiencing a surge in planning applications for hyperscale data centres, driven by the demand for AI infrastructure. While the country boasts abundant renewable energy, concerns are rising among local communities about the environmental and infrastructural impacts of these large facilities, particularly regarding energy consumption and water usage.
Experts warn that the rapid growth of data centres could complicate Scotland's climate goals, as reliance on fossil fuels may increase during low renewable energy periods. The Scottish government aims to balance economic opportunities with environmental considerations as the industry expands.