Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
209. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to deal with threats to the State's power supply in the coming period, specifically actions in relation to proposed data centres; if he will support proposals for a ban on proposed data centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43677/21]
View answerThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) has statutory responsibility, under S.I. 60 of 2005, to monitor and take measures necessary to ensure the security of electricity supply in Ireland. It is assisted in its statutory role by EirGrid which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the electricity transmission system. The CRU have advised me that they have identified specific challenges to ensuring continued electricity security of supply, which they are currently in the process of addressing.
These challenges include lower than expected availability of some existing power stations; anticipated new power stations not being developed as planned; expected growth in demand for electricity including due to the growth of data centres; and the expected closure of power stations that make up approximately 25% of conventional electricity generation capacity over the coming years.
There is a range of actions is being taken by the CRU and EirGrid to ensure security of electricity supply over the coming winter and years ahead. The actions being progressed include maximising the availability of existing generators; development of new generation capacity – including temporary generation capacity in advance of winter 2022; making changes to the grid connection rules for data centres; and working with large energy consumers to, where possible, reduce their electricity demand during peak periods.
In June 2018 the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Policy’ was published, which sets out the strategic importance of data centres to Ireland’s overarching enterprise policy and attracting foreign investment in the ICT sector. The statement acknowledges that, as large consumers of electricity, data centres also pose challenges to the capacity of our electricity grid and the future planning and operation of a sustainable power system.
In June, the CRU published a proposed direction to EirGrid and ESB Networks that would require each of the system operators to prioritise data centre connections based on location, the availability of on-site generation and flexibility in reducing demand when required. I understand that the CRU do not propose an outright ban on the connection of data centres. The consultation process is now closed and the CRU is considering the responses received.
