Holyrood committee starts hyperscale data centre scrutiny

The Climate Action Committee is taking evidence from environmental organisations and campaign groups with concerns about the potential impacts, Action to Protect Rural Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland.

The committee will explore the environmental impact of hyperscale data centres in Ireland, hearing from Digital Infrastructure Ireland, University College Cork and Friends of the Earth Ireland.

In addition to the evidence sessions, members of the committee recently visited a data centre in North Lanarkshire. The visit to the DV1 site, run by DataVita, allowed members to see how a data centre operates.

In the coming weeks, the committee plans to take evidence from witnesses with expertise in the technology used in data centres, sustainability, water consumption and mitigation.

The inquiry aims to gather information that will be shared with the Scottish government ahead of its plans to publish updated planning guidance on data centres.

Stuart McMillan, convener of the Climate Action Committee, said: “We want to get a complete picture of the environmental impact that hyperscale data centres might have in Scotland. Our evidence sessions, submissions made to our call for views and the context members got from visiting an existing data centre in North Lanarkshire aim to achieve that.

“The purpose of our inquiry is to understand the cumulative impact that data centres could have on Scotland’s environment, which is why we want to take evidence from a broad range of experts.

“We’re also keen to hear from the public and would welcome further responses to our short survey or detailed call for evidence.”

The Climate Action committee and Economy, Tourism and Energy committee are running a call for views to seek evidence on the impact of potential hyperscale data centre construction and operation. People can respond to a short survey, or a more detailed call for evidence.

The call for views closes on 15 November 2026.