FOI/202600522764 · FOI · partially withheld
Green Data Centre guidance: FOI release
Information requested
Confirmation of what team or working group within the Scottish Government is currently tasked with producing the guidance on what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre; If a specific working group or team exists, detail of current membership, meeting dates, agendas and meeting notes since the establishment of such a group; Confirmation as to whether a draft or final guidance document on ‘what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre’ has yet been produced; and All relevant Scottish Government correspondence (both internal and with external stakeholders) between March 2026 and the current date relating to the definition of a ‘green’ data centre.
Response
In relation to your query Confirmation as to whether a draft or final guidance document on ‘what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre’ has yet been produced, there is currently no guidance, draft or final, on what constitutes prevalent factors in a green data centre.
However, work has been initiated to determine the scope, purpose and form of future guidance, including whether formal planning guidance is required to help local planning authorities balance the expansion of hyperscale data centres with national energy and climate goals.
Confirmation of what team or working group within the Scottish Government is currently tasked with producing the guidance on what factors are prevalent in a ‘green’ data centre;
The work is being led by the Digital Connectivity Division within the Scottish Government, via a crossgovernment working group, comprising relevant policy leads from across Government and partner agencies. The group will develop the evidence base, consider the characteristics of environmentally sustainable data centres, assess cumulative impacts and advise Ministers on options for future policy and guidance.
If a specific working group or team exists, detail of current membership, meeting dates, agendas and meeting notes since the establishment of such a group;
All relevant Scottish Government correspondence (both internal and with external stakeholders) between March 2026 and the current date relating to the definition of a ‘green’ data centre.
I have attached relevant information within the scope of your request.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, exemptions under sections s.29, s.30 and s.38(1)(b) apply to some of the information you have requested and have been redacted on that basis.
Section 29 - Formulation of Scottish Administration policy applies to some elements of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 29 if it relates to the formulation or development of government policy.
Application of section 29(1)(a) is subject to the public interest test. In this instance, it has been concluded that the public interest is best served by withholding the information. Officials are actively developing policy options, and at this stage, no final decisions have been taken. Disclosure of incomplete analysis and emerging advice would negatively impact the formulation or development of future government policy and would be likely to prejudice Ministers' ability to consider options fully.
Section 30 - Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs also applies to a selection of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 30(1)(b) and 30(1)(c) if its disclosure would (or would be likely to) cause substantial harm to the free and frank provision of advice and/or the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.
The application of section 30(1)(b) and 30(1)(c) is subject to the public interest test. In this instance, it has been concluded that the public interest is best served by withholding the information, as disclosure would be likely to adversely affect the ability to effectively produce government policy from those discussions.
Section 38(1)(b) - Personal information also applies to a selection of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 38(1)(b) if it is the personal data of a third party.
The application of section 38(1)(b) is subject to the public interest test. In this instance, it has been concluded that the public interest is best served by withholding the information, as disclosure could likely impact individuals if details were published publicly.
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Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, exemptions under sections s.29, s.30 and s.38(1)(b) apply to some of the information you have requested and have been redacted on that basis. Section 29 - Formulation of Scottish Administration policy applies to some elements of the correspondence that you have requested. Information is exempt under section 29 if it relates to the formulation or development of government policy. Application of section 29(1)(a) is subject to the public interest test. Section 30 - Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs also applies to a selection of the correspondence that you have requested.