Concerns over plans to build enormous data centres across Scotland are “legitimate”, John Swinney has said.
The First Minister suggested the creation of new data centres had to bring significant economic benefits to Scotland for them to be worth it.
It comes amid fierce opposition by some to proposals to build huge data centres across Scotland to power the AI boom.
There are plans for an £8 billion AI investment zone in North Lanarkshire while other projects are set to built in Fife and the Borders.
Critics, including local campaign groups, have warned against the centres’ impact on the environment, including extremely high electricity and water usage.
However, the companies behind the projects say they represent billions in investment into Scotland that will deliver high-quality jobs across the country.
Speaking while visiting a business in Glasgow, the First Minister said “some very careful judgments had to be made” around whether the data centres should go ahead.
He told the Press Association: “What we’ve got to make a careful judgment about is whether AI data centres bring the type of economic benefits that will be of significance to Scotland, and then also about the implications for energy generation and energy use within our society.
“These are careful judgments that have got to be arrived at.
“I want to encourage investment into Scotland but it’s got to be investment that supports and encourages and nurtures sustainable economic growth in Scotland that will create good opportunities for our people.”
Mr Swinney said he wanted to reassure members of the public that their views on the building of new data centres would be “thoroughly considered” before being approved.
He added: “But on a wider, more general level about AI data centres, there are legitimate points to be considered about the use of energy resources, about the use of land, about the implications that may have for other aspects of society.
“We’ve got to also consider whether there’s sufficient economic impact, positive economic impact, on Scotland as a consequence.
“So, it’s a careful balancing act that has got to be constructed around the development of such facilities.”
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