Campaigners are making a final effort to oppose the construction of a data centre in Edinburgh, expressing concerns about the potential environmental impact of the backup power plans involving diesel generators.
Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS) has conducted research ahead of a crucial meeting where the Edinburgh City Council will review the planning permission for a green data centre at the Redheughs Avenue site, previously occupied by RBS’ headquarters.
Despite the recommendation for approval from council planning officers, campaigners argue that the application fails to address the full scope of the site’s environmental consequences. They emphasize the substantial energy draw from the grid and the reliance on diesel generators, raising doubts about the project’s green credentials.
The proposed data centre at the former RBS campus aims to repurpose brownfield land sustainably, but concerns linger over the potential use of diesel generators and the absence of a formal Environmental Impact Assessment. The council faces a decision on whether to proceed with the project as planned or address the raised issues when they convene on February 4th.
