Concerns about large data centres in Scotland near homes

[Sheldonsheher]

Why is there not more outcry about data centres in Scotland. As far as I can see it’s a resource grab by tech giant companies to cream off Scotland’s natural resources. They won’t provide much benefit and will decimate local communities. For example hermiston gait right next to a student campus and homes. They will drain Scotland’s resources. Make a mockery of net zero and hose pipe bans. Yes to small data centres away from homes no to mega data centres next to people’s homes.

It's horrible but the SNP seem to be allowing it ?

I’ve said to before and I’ll say it again:

The planned data centres will use 150% more energy at all times than Scotland currently uses at peak hours during winter. Where are we going to find 150% more energy? In 2025, 91.5% of energy used in Scotland was generated in Scotland (73.1% from renewable sources). Where is all this extra energy coming from?

These centres are also planning for back up diesel generators and gas pipe connections, because they know their energy needs are too big for our infrastructure. Beyond a handful of semi-skilled, low paid jobs they are not bringing anything to our country. We need to stand up and say no!

All the major parties in the UK are clearly being heavily lobbied by the AI bubble. Can’t wait until it pops.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18vHaSbka1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Yes I’ve signed a few petitions but the numbers are depressing low a lot people just don’t seem that engaged unless it’s in their back garden which is depressing as it will affect everyone and the data from the USAis pretty depressing on the effects of these giant data centre. As I see it the money mainly will go to tech giants.

I’m sure all the green energy produced here in Scotland will be more than enough for these huge energy guzzlers and our politicians know what they are doing…

I know it just makes a mockery of all the net zero no drilling for oil mantras. Also why build them next to people’s actual houses it’s unbelievable if they have to built they should be built outside the parliament.

Also cannot believe there is no more outcry about data centres and the resources they are using.

Apparently they give off a low frequency humming noise than can be heard for miles

There is a green belt conservation group around my area (area around Euro central on the M8) who are big protesters of this and have took it to Scottish parliament and have been speaking to Chanel 4 news and the national paper ect in the last few week

Apparently one of the centres planned for just outside chapelhall will use twice the amount of energy to power than the whole of the much large neighbouring area of Airdrie

One of these are being built right next to my house but very few people around here seem
to care.

irs so surprising people don’t seem to care but maybe they are not aware. Maybe they don’t realise the potential for noise and pollution from the generators. All the pictures show warehouses that look benign. I don’t know if people realise the scale.i can’t believe they are going to build them on the edges of built up areas when loads of evidence that they are destroying Americans health that live nearby. So depressing.

Didn't they say the same about pylons, phone masts, TV transmitters . . . .

Can anyone provide links? I’ve just become aware of this in my area, but know very little. Thanks

edited for typo

No look it up if you don’t know the difference in America they are admitting a lot of pollution, polluting the water and making people sick with the constant noise.also to what end and who is benefitting. I still think if one must be build build right outside the parliament.

Data centres are one of the cleanest and safest industries ever.

Would Scotland have been better off without shipbuilding, fishing, cotton and flax, coal, offshore workers, etc etc etc.

Maybe healthier, but poor and deserted.

One difference is that data centres don’t employ a lot of people. But AI is coming for jobs, and as it does so you really want to be in a position to tax the technology itself (eg via data centres), or watch tax revenues and public services collapse.

How is the water getting polluted? It's just used for cooling. It was the same for coal fired power stations. Extract water from the river, pump it round and deposit the water back into the river.

As for the constant noise, plenty choose to live near such environments, such as motorways, airport flight paths etc.

Can you provide any links to your claims? I would like to read them.

I don't understand why they are so bad. I can't understand how they can use 1.5x as much energy as the whole of Scotland in winter. Did I read that right? How do they pollute water? I honestly don't get it.
The noise maybe I get, I hate the sound of power cables buzzing in the rain, I can hear our electric car buzzing when it's charging up and that bugs me.

I'd appreciate some good links to read too?

My teenager tells me that the evaporated water contains heavy metals from the components which will then turn into rain, dirty rain. I don't know if he is correct but he knows about PCs/coolers.

I think your teenager is mis-informed. Evaporated water is very pure.

The cooling water does not touch the components directly. Electricity and water do not mix. Otherwise, dropping your phone in the bath would be a total non-event.

I'm totally gobsmacked politicians are allowing them.

Yes also they are running massive diesel generators and are not green. They are polluting the water in America turning it brown. This is the problem the developers are lying trying to make out these are green when they are not. Why build them next to people’s homes because they want to save money taking all the resources of the grid and using the drinking water.

Please connect with other places fighting similar developments. There’s a massive one planned for north Devon and I don’t know a single resident that’s in favour. Good luck and get information sharing.

Oh my goodness 😯

They are going under a moratorium when the Scottish Parliament reconvenes. Both the Scottish Greens and the SNP have agreed they will vote for this.

The cannot be banned by the Scottish Government, as the UK government will use a Section 35 order to overturn a ban.

Only a moratorium, like the one which was placed on fracking, can effectively stop these going ahead in such a way that the UK government cannot use its powers to force its own way at the behest of lobbyists.

If you are concerned about a data centre already being built or having existing approval, Google the effect of bamboo planting on data centre sites. It is nearly impossible to remove and makes building the centre impossible, so it would be a shame if it was found all over a prospective site...