Thursday September 17th 2026
South Scotland Green MSP Laura Moodie (photo by Daniel Hooper-Jones / Office of Laura Moodie)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
South Scotland Green MSP Laura Moodie has called on the Scottish Government to act swiftly on a national strategy for hyperscale data centres while a pause is in place.
The Scottish Greens led a Parliamentary debate on hyperscale AI data centres this week that secured a pause on planning decisions, a requirement for all proposals to submit environmental impact assessments and the creation of a national strategy and updated guidance addressing their cumulative impact on energy demand and the environment.
Laura also warned that Scotland risks exploitation by providing valuable resources while multinational companies based elsewhere capture most of the financial rewards. She called for any future strategy to ensure that host communities receive lasting benefits through local jobs, training, supply chains and heat-recovery schemes.
Laura Moodie MSP said:
“Campaigners in South Scotland have worked incredibly hard. They have had to become experts in planning, energy and environmental law simply to understand developments that could transform their communities.
“By bringing this issue to a vote in Parliament, Green MSPs secured cross-party support for a pause and development of a strategic national approach. Too often, Scotland has provided land, energy and resources while the wealth and decision-making have gone elsewhere. We cannot repeat that mistake by allowing multinational technology companies to consume huge amounts of Scottish land, water and electricity without ensuring that local communities share properly in the benefits.
“Our debate also forced clarification from the minister that Environmental Impact Assessment requirements will apply to applications already within the planning system, not just new ones.
“I want to thank campaigners for everything they have done. Yesterday’s vote was a win in what will be a long battle against these proposals. The Scottish Greens will continue working alongside them and press for robust environmental safeguards and national rules that put communities before the interests of billionaires.”
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