A built environment consultancy has warned of the potential economic risks if data centre development is put on hold in Scotland.
Responding to reports that the Scottish Government is considering introducing national planning guidance that could lead to a moratorium on new data centre developments, Rimkus said such a move risks undermining growth ambitions and damaging Scotland’s attractiveness to invest in the sector.
The SNP has confirmed it is considering action following calls from communities, local authorities and campaign groups over the scale of proposed developments and their potential impact on the electricity network.
There are currently more than a dozen hyperscale data centre proposals progressing through Scotland’s planning system. If developed, they would represent a significant increase in electricity demand.
Robert Eadie, data centre director at Rimkus, said the answer lies in strategic infrastructure planning rather than halting developments altogether. He explained, “Scotland has a genuine opportunity to establish itself as a leading destination for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence investment, but that opportunity depends on creating the conditions for businesses to invest with confidence.
“A moratorium on hyperscale data centres would send a concerning signal to the market that Scotland is stepping back from supporting the infrastructure that underpins the modern economy. Investors looking to deploy capital into digital infrastructure have choices, and if projects cannot proceed here, they will simply move elsewhere in the UK or Europe.
“Data centres are often misunderstood as standalone developments that serve little purpose locally. The reality is that they are fundamental to almost every aspect of modern life, supporting financial, healthcare, government, and streaming services, advanced manufacturing and the AI technologies that are rapidly transforming industries across the world. If Scotland wants to participate fully in the AI revolution and attract the high-value industries of the future, it cannot simultaneously restrict access to the infrastructure those industries depend upon.”
Mr Eadie acknowledged concerns around electricity demand and grid capacity but said these challenges should be viewed as issues to be managed.
He added, “The scale of some of these developments undoubtedly raises important questions around energy supply, grid resilience and sustainability, but those are exactly the kinds of challenges that strategic national planning and infrastructure investment are designed to address. Scotland already has abundant renewable energy resources, with wind generation regularly curtailed when the grid cannot accommodate it. The challenge is therefore not simply generating more electricity, but investing in the infrastructure needed to convert that renewable advantage into jobs, investment and long-term economic growth.
“A blanket pause risks oversimplifying what is a complex issue. The conversation should instead be about how Scotland converts its renewable energy advantage into long-term economic value by accelerating grid investment, supporting renewable generation and attracting the industries that increasingly want to locate alongside abundant low-carbon power.
“Locating data centres close to renewable generation makes better use of Scotland’s clean energy than exporting it elsewhere. While individual facilities require cooling, most modern hyperscale data centres use closed-loop cooling systems that recirculate water, resulting in significantly lower water consumption than many traditional industrial processes.
“Other countries are actively competing to attract data centre investment because they recognise the wider economic benefits these developments bring. The construction and delivery of hyperscale facilities support skilled jobs, while creating long-term opportunities throughout local supply chains.
“Scotland possesses many of the attributes global investors are looking for, including a highly skilled workforce, significant renewable energy potential and ambitious technology and innovation sectors. There is a real opportunity to position the country as a major player in the digital and AI economy.
“The question facing policymakers is whether Scotland wants to lead that transition or watch investment and opportunity flow elsewhere. Pulling the plug on data centre development would make that decision for us.”
