We need to acknowledge that renewable energy is not free of impacts, and energy needs to be used efficiently and with care. AI and Data centres are, at the moment, one our biggest threats to achieving our net-zero targets *and* to Scotland's countryside and landscapes.

As Scotland's countryside charity we acknowledge that climate change is the biggest threat to our communities and landscapes, but we cannot mend a situation that has been caused by our use of profligate fossil fuel energy, with one where we assume we have infinite renewable energy.

Data centres have the potential to completely blow our targets, and divert renewable energy from the systematic decarbonisation of our economy into AI.

A single data centre in Irvine would have energy demand twice the maximum output of the UK's largest onshore windfarm, Whitelees near Glasgow.

This combination of a pathway to demand reduction, and the means to create renewable energy are vital. Renewable energy does not come without impacts, on communities, on biodiversity, and on our landscapes.

We have targets for renewable energy that mean Scotland should be on a pathway to net-zero.

There has also been a consensus that reducing demand and efficiency are an absolutely vital part of the equation.

We are now working on data centres, because of the huge implications they have for our renewable energy targets. Up until now there has been a broad consensus on how much renewable energy will be needed to transition our economy away from fossil fuels.

APRS's mission for Scotland's Countryside and landscapes has always meant that we have worked on a wide variety of campaigns - most recently litter and Scotland's Deposit Return scheme, National Parks, Green Belts and public access.

- The benefits of nature for climate adaptation and wellbeing

- A Just Transition for Grangemouth and the missed opportunities
- The need for a well-being economy and a focus on warm, insulated homes and good public transport, including far better rural bus services.
- The need for attention to the health impacts of the climate crisis

Our Director Kat Jones facilitated a table for Central Scotland constituents with Monica Lennon MSP and the key issues that came up were

- The impact of climate change on the Global South and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

With the UK-wide deposit return scheme due to start in October 2026, we need UK Ministers to get serious about the circular economy including repair and reuse. Reusing our resources instead of wasting them becomes the norm.
✉️ Read the letter:

Read the full statement from Kat Jones, APRS Director, and the background to the case, on our website:

aprs.scot/press-releas...

In the wake of this egregious decision we are calling for a reconsideration of policy regarding battery storage to ensure that storage is consented in the most appropriate locations, avoiding Green Belts and sites of importance for nature or heritage, and that there an assessment of the need.

But, as of April 2025 there is 23.9GW of Battery Storage in the planning system with 2.3GW consented in three days alone last week.

Scottish Government have never turned down a Battery Storage facility. And if this site at Cochno can get permission for battery storage, then nowhere is safe.

Battery storage in the planning system already exceeds the projected requirements for the future. According to NESO modelling, 5.9 to 6.4GW of battery storage could be required in Scotland by 2030, and between 6.4 and 7.6GW by 2045. Source: www.neso.energy/docu...