Campaigners against two proposed hyperscale AI data centres in Scotland are urging the public to submit objections before the Thursday, July 2 deadline. The developments are planned for Larbert, near Falkirk, and Auchtertool in Fife.
Massive Energy Demands
Conservation charity Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS), which has led calls for a moratorium on such developments, said the two centres combined would require 900 megawatts (MW) of power. This is equivalent to almost a quarter of Scotland's current peak electricity demand. APRS director Dr Kat Jones described each centre as "absolutely humungous", noting their vast energy use will have implications for the grid, climate emissions, and energy prices.
Dr Jones stated: "This is something that matters to everyone in Scotland and we are encouraging anyone who feels strongly about hyperscale AI data centres to respond to these applications directly via the relevant planning portal." She added that APRS is calling for a moratorium from the Scottish Government until research on impacts and governance can catch up with the "AI juggernaut".
Public Opposition Grows
Over 5,000 people have signed a petition against the data centre planned for Auchtertool, with more than 3,100 objections submitted against the Larbert site. Andrea Cail, chairwoman of Auchtertool Community Council, said the campaign had united the village and surrounding communities. "We have leafleted, developed banners, held meetings, spoken with our elected councillors, MSPs, MP and the media. Everyone has contributed from school children to our older residents," she said.
Ms Cail urged Fife Council to reject the proposal for a 600 MW data centre on the edge of the village. She emphasised that the impacts on climate emissions, air pollution, and Scotland's energy grid and electricity prices affect the whole country, calling on people everywhere to oppose the development.
Larbert Campaign Intensifies
Tasha Marsden, campaigning against the planned data centre in Larbert, said opposition continues to grow. "We have more than 3,000 objections on the Falkirk council planning portal and hundreds more stream in every day," she said. She encouraged anyone yet to write an objection to submit their opinion and engage in the planning process before the deadline.
Government Response
The Scottish Government has rejected calls for a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres. However, last week in Holyrood, First Minister John Swinney said he would consider whether it is "appropriate" for local councils to take decisions on them. He told MSPs he would "explore" whether such decisions should be taken locally "given the scale of the developments involved".
