Two Scottish Parliament committees are to undertake fact-finding missions on the ‘impacts’ of hyperscale datacentres following recent public concern.
The ‘climate action committee’ is calling for data and evidence on the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres from construction and operation to the long-term management and disposal of waste, hardware and materials.
Separately, the economy, tourism and energy committee wants to understand the potential economic and energy implications of hyperscale data centre development in Scotland.
Stuart McMillan MSP, convener of the climate action committee, said: “We want to understand the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres and will share our findings ahead of the Scottish Government’s upcoming guidance.
“We would like to hear expert views about impacts on air and water quality, nature and biodiversity, noise pollution and emissions. We also want to understand what can be done to prevent or mitigate negative environmental impacts.
“We’re particularly keen to ensure that Scotland learns lessons from other countries where hyperscale data centres are already in operation.”
Duncan Massey MSP, convener of the economy, tourism and energy committee added: “Datacentres have been grabbing the headlines but now it’s time to dig into the details. We want to ensure we understand whether there are economic positives for Scotland and what they are. Will they drive new jobs and create long term employment? What about our energy systems, are they able to support hyperscale data centres?
“To aid our scrutiny of Scottish Government decision making, we want to hear from experts working in these areas in order to build a clear picture of all the positives and negatives associated with bringing large scale data centres to Scotland.”
A hyperscale data centre is a large facility that can be used for internet-based applications, data processing and artificial intelligence. There are no hyperscale data centres in Scotland, although more than 20 are proposed in different locations across the country.
Last month, the Scottish Government announced that large datacentre planning applications in Scotland will face new environmental checks, as developers prepare for more stringent requirements introduced by ministers.
New facilities with a power capacity exceeding 50 megawatts (MW) will have to go undergo rigorous environmental impact assessments (EIA) during the planning process to ensure greater safeguards around energy and water use.
There have been a number of recent largescale development proposals for Scottish datacentres.
Recent applications include plans for one of largest datacentres in the UK with a 300 megawatt facility on a disused commercial site on the outskirts Falkirk.
Plans submitted to the local council by developer Apatura reveal that the sprawling 55-acre site on the local Glenbervie Business Park in Larbert could create thousands of jobs and attract nearly £1 billion investment into Scotland.
And last week Annan-based CX Tech Limited applied for planning permission in principle from Dumfries and Galloway Council for the ‘CX Technology Campus’ at the former nuclear power station Chapelcross, which would bring eight datacentres and a dedicated training centre to the brownfield site.
In Glasgow, homegrown datacentre operator DataVita has applied to North Lanarkshire Council to build DV4, a new datacentre at Chapelhall, Airdrie.
Rather than focusing on specific proposals, however, the committees’ call for evidence wants to gather a complete picture of the impact of datacentres.
The Committees plan to share their findings with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP who has said that guidance on hyperscale data centres will be published by Christmas.
In addition to its consultation, the climate action committee will hold evidence sessions in October and November. The committee has also agreed to consider whether to carry out further work in this area at a later date.
The call for views will be open from 7 October to 15 November 2026.