AI data centres being built in the Capital should pay contributions towards renewable energy projects, according to a city councillor .

In a motion before the full Edinburgh Council next week, Green councillor Alys Mumford is asking for the requirement to be put in place on environmental grounds.

The call comes amid news that a new data centre being planned for the Capital could use more power than half a million homes and use more power than Edinburgh Airport.

Cllr Mumford’s motion also mentions a new ‘AI factory antenna’ at the University of Edinburgh, which will aim to accelerate AI uptake by UK organisations.

She says that increased use of AI in Edinburgh could also cause ‘considerable’ increases in energy consumption.

He motion adds that a ‘growing body of evidence’ suggests

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