Thursday November 12th 2026
Scottish Green MSP Laura Moodie
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scottish Green MSP Laura Moodie has challenged the First Minister over the potential impact of hyperscale data centres on household energy bills, following warnings from the Scottish Government’s own climate officials.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 10th November, the South Scotland MSP pressed John Swinney on what assessment his government had made of the impact of hyperscale data centres on Scotland’s electricity demand and energy costs.
The intervention follows a Freedom of Information disclosure revealing that the Scottish Government’s Deputy Director for Domestic Climate Change warned in March that hyperscale data centres could drive up electricity prices, threaten energy security and deliver limited benefits to local communities.
In response to Laura’s question, the First Minister acknowledged the importance of these concerns but did not identify a specific assessment of the potential impact on electricity demand or bills.
He confirmed that the Scottish Government’s position on data centre developments would be set out before the end of the year.
Laura said: “Families across Scotland are already struggling with some of the highest energy bills in Europe. The last thing they need is enormous data centres pushing those costs even higher.
“These warnings aren’t just coming from campaigners. They’re coming from the Scottish Government’s own senior climate officials who have raised serious concerns about what these developments could mean for ordinary households.
“I challenged the First Minister to explain what assessment his government has made of the impact on Scotland’s electricity supply and energy bills.
“While he acknowledged those concerns, we still haven’t been given a clear answer about what the potential costs to consumers could be.
“The Scottish Government cannot keep welcoming hyperscale data centres without demonstrating that families and businesses won’t be left picking up the bill.
“With national planning guidance expected before the end of the year, ministers must put protecting communities, energy affordability and our environment ahead of the interests of wealthy tech companies.”
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