Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) will debate a proposed temporary halt, or moratorium, on new hyperscale data centers at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, on Wednesday. The Scottish Greens are pushing for the vote, arguing that it is essential to stop what they call a "big tech free-for-all" and address concerns about the environmental impact of these large-scale data centers. Patrick Harvie, a Scottish Green MSP, warned of a "huge surge" in proposed developments and said a moratorium would allow Scotland to "put the brakes on this speculative rush" and create a national strategy for managing such projects. The Green motion calls for a temporary pause on planning applications for new hyperscale data centers until a national strategy and updated planning guidance are developed. These must consider the "cumulative impacts on energy demand and the environment" of such developments. Harvie emphasized that if the first 24 of these projects are approved, they would require one and a half times Scotland’s entire peak electricity consumption, which he described as "completely unsustainable." He urged the Scottish government to listen to community groups across the country and to ensure that energy, land, and infrastructure are used in the public interest rather than being handed over to the big tech industry on a speculative basis. The debate follows a recent announcement by Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad that environmental impact assessments would be required for two proposed data centers in Auchtertool, Fife, and Wester Hermiston, Edinburgh. Planning authorities are also required to notify ministers of new data center applications that exceed 50 megawatts in power consumption. A Scottish Government spokesperson acknowledged that data centers represent a rapidly growing sector and that planning plays a crucial role in evaluating applications, supporting economic opportunities, and aligning with climate goals. The spokesperson stressed the need to balance the economic and employment benefits of data centers with broader ambitions related to energy, climate, and community wealth, ensuring that affected communities are central to any decision-making process. The proposed moratorium and the debate surrounding it highlight the tension between the economic potential of data centers and the environmental and social concerns they raise. As Scotland moves forward with its climate and energy policies, the discussion on how to manage large-scale data infrastructure will be a key issue for policymakers and communities alike.