Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
157. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications how he first became aware that growth in 'Islanded' data centres could result in security of supply risk being transferred from electricity to gas supply; the person or body that made him aware and when. [12247/23]
View answerMy Department engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the publication of the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy. This was published on the 27 July 2022.
The purpose of this Government Statement is to set out national principles to inform and guide future data centre development. The Decarbonisation section of the Government Statement addressed 'islanded data centres' and highlights their impact on Ireland's carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, as well as Ireland's energy security.
According to the Strategy Document: "Islanded’ data centre developments, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy. These would run counter to emissions reduction objectives and would not serve the wider efficiency and decarbonisation of our energy system. Growth in ‘Islanded’ data centres could result in security of supply risk being transferred from electricity to gas supply, which would be a significant challenge given Ireland’s reliance on gas importation."
