Data Centres

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (181)

James O'Connor

Question:

181. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on extending the ban on data centres to counties outside Dublin on a temporary basis following recent announcements on data centre restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3429/22]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I have no function in the matter of grid connections such as data centres, which is the responsibility of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) the independent energy regulator. Under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, CRU may give directions to EirGrid, the transmission system operator (TSO) and ESB Networks, the distribution system operator (DSO), collectively the “system operators” (SOs), on the terms and conditions of access to the transmission and distribution systems (the electricity system). CRU issued direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing on 23 November 2021, reference CRU/21/124. The Government’s Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the policies and actions for Ireland to deliver on its emissions and renewable targets and includes specific actions for large energy users, including data centres.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is committed to reviewing the 2018 'Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' to align with our renewable energy targets, sectoral emissions and climate priorities.This is part of a suite of actions to ensure that Ireland is planning appropriately for new energy demand in the context of our electrification and decarbonisation ambitions, while facilitating growth in digitalisation and our technology sector.

Government is working with the relevant state agencies to ensure that there is a plan-led, regionally balanced approach to  large developments such as data centres in future taking into account existing grid availability and the opportunity to co-locate significant renewable energy opportunities.