Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
109. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will make available any assessment of the impact of data centres on national energy consumption and their impact on Ireland’s carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44593/21]
View answerIn 2020, data centres were approximately 11% of the total electricity used in Ireland, demonstrating that the impact of data centres on Ireland’s energy demand, and the related electricity emissions, is significant. EirGrid, in their Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029, project that demand from data centres could account for 27% of all demand by 2029.Earlier this year, EirGrid carried out a public consultation on 'Shaping our Electricity Future'. The aim is to make the electricity grid stronger and more flexible so that it can carry significantly more renewable generation as well as meet increasing demand from high volume energy users such as data centres. This may include potential geographic restrictions or incentives of large demand customers closer to the generation of power, potentially giving a more regional balance of locations. The Government will shortly publish the Climate Action Plan 2021 which is underpinned by a public consultation and detailed analysis covering all sectors of the economy. The Climate Action Plan will set out the range of measures and actions required across all relevant sectors, including electricity, to deliver on Ireland's emissions reduction targets.
