CAMPAIGNERS demanding a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres have urged First Minister John Swinney to meet with them to discuss their “disastrous effects” on community and environment.

Both Fife and Falkirk councils are due to make decisions on the grant of planning consent for the massive data centres in Auchtertool and Larbert respectively, just two of the 17 presently making their way through Scotland’s planning system.

Should all 17 be granted, they could draw between 4450 MW and 4950 MW, more than Scotland’s entire winter peak electricity demand.

Action to Protect Rural Scotland and the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland (ERCS) have written to Mr Swinney demanding a moratorium “so that a strategic approach can be taken.”

ERCS policy and advocacy officer Benji Brown said: “What is in the best interests of tech giants is not in the best interests of Scotland.

“This new wave of data centres would place huge demands on our energy system and blow a hole in our climate targets, especially if back-up diesel generators are used to help power new sites.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said that ministers are giving “active consideration” to whether planning guidance should be provided to balance interests.