# Scotland halts approvals for new hyperscale AI data centres over environmental concerns

https://mins.news/en/item/62857

- euronews, 2026-09-17 15:03 UTC
- Tech
- Original: https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/09/17/scotland-halts-new-hyperscale-ai-data-centre-approvals-amid-environmental-concerns

> Scotland has paused approvals for new hyperscale AI data centres amid environmental concerns. The decision follows a surge in proposed facilities tied to the global AI boom, with more than 20 large projects put forward, including one in eastern Scotland’s Fife described as potentially the world’s second largest.

## Related coverage

- [Mississauga council unanimously backs one-year pause on data centre development](https://mins.news/en/video/61478) — Global News, 2026-09-16
- [Beyond doomsday warnings, AI faces another threat: backlash against data centres](https://mins.news/en/item/60653) — BBC Chinese, 2026-09-16