Planned hyperscale data centers in Scotland could demand between 2GW and 3GW of power, according to non-profit research firm Foxglove.

The demand would be just under Scotland’s current peak electricity demand during winter, which stands at 4GW. Therefore, if these projects are successfully developed, they would consume a large amount of Scotland’s total power supply.

Foxglove compiled the figures via a keyword search of local authority planning websites in November 2025. The figures include all applications made under the planning system, but omit projects that are being planned but have not yet been submitted to the planning authority. As a result, the non-profit claims that the figures could, in fact, be an underestimation.

In total, Foxglove identified 11 proposed data centers ranging from 200MW to 550MW. The projects span the country, including Edinburgh (x2), North Lanarkshire (x2), East Ayrshire (x2), Scottish Borders, Fife, West Lothian, East Dunbartonshire, and South Lanarkshire.

The developments include a 500MW project planned by Renewable developer Apatura in North Lanarkshire, as well as developments proposed by new firms AI Pathfinder, SDCL, Shelborn Drummond, and Argyll Data Development

Not all developers listed the expected capacity of their facilities, and the researchers subsequently used an estimate of 250MW for the three unlisted developments.

According to Foxglove, the new demand would be comparable to two to three times the capacity of the 1180MW Peterhead gas power station, the total output of the 1190MW Torness, and 965MW Hunterston B nuclear power stations, while both were still in operation, and the total generation capacity of all of Scotland’s offshore wind turbines in 2024, which stood at 2971MW.

At present, Scotland has traditionally had a minimal data center market. Asanti & Atos, Pulsant, IOmart, CenterServ, and Lumen operate small facilities across the country. However, as observed by Foxglove, the market is definitely heating up.