Glasgow councillor calls for moratorium on AI data centres

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 16:14 · Archive

A Glasgow councillor has called for a moratorium on AI data centres, citing concerns about power consumption and rising bills for residents.

Councillor Anthony Carroll, Green, is bringing a motion to a Glasgow City Council meeting calling for a moratorium on AI data centres to be reflected in the council's planning guidance. He warns that the facilities' vast power consumption could lead to increased electricity bills for residents and utilities shortages. A number of planning applications for AI data centres have been lodged around Scotland, generating concern among residents, though none have been submitted within Glasgow's local authority boundary. North Lanarkshire, however, has received applications.

Carroll's motion states that if all 24 applications currently live across the country were approved, they would require 6,000 megawatts—150 per cent of Scotland's electricity supply use at peak times—to function. The council believes the environmental and resource impacts, including atmospheric emissions, water extraction and discharge, and additional power requirements, would constitute an unacceptable burden that would be passed on to the public through utilities shortages and increased bills.

The motion calls on the council to oppose new AI data centres, requests the leader to write to the First Minister outlining the council's position, and instructs officers to investigate whether such a moratorium can be included in the City Development Plan 2, which is currently undergoing consultation before adoption.

How it is being reported

• Glasgow councillor calls for moratorium on AI data centres over rising bills fearsAI data centres should face a moratorium in Glasgow planning guidance, a councillor says.Glasgow Times · 28 Oct, 15:26
• Calls for Glasgow to block AI data centres amid fears residents could foot the billsThere are worries that data centres – which consume vast amounts of power – could leave Glasgow residents facing even greater energy bills.Glasgow Live · 27 Oct, 15:19

In this story: Councillor Anthony Carroll · Glasgow City Council · Glasgow · North Lanarkshire · Scotland

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