Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 October 2022
187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his Department's policy in respect of supporting data centres in Ireland in the context of the decarbonisation and digitalisation of Ireland's economy and society; and the steps that he has taken to ensure that these transitions are complimentary and in harmony with environmental policy. [52555/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis summer my Department published a revised policy statement on data centres. I fully agree with the Deputy's assertion that we must ensure that the decarbonisation and digitalisation of Ireland's economy and society are complimentary and in harmony with environmental policy. The 'Government Statement on the role of Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy' sets out how we intend to do that, and I would encourage the deputy to review the full Statement which is on my Department's website.
As the deputy alludes to, data centre operations are at the very centre of these transformational twin transitions in our economy and society.
Data centres serve a key infrastructure role in our society. Digitalisation can unlock decarbonisation opportunities and present opportunities for reducing carbon emissions in areas such as increased remote working, reduced business travel and in the digitalisation of our supply chains. However, I am also very conscious that in the short to medium term, the capacity of Ireland’s electricity grid, security of supply concerns, and our determination to decarbonise our electricity system, means that not all demand for data centre development can be accommodated sustainably.
The revised Statement advises that the recently published sectoral emissions ceilings will be a constraint on growth of the data centre sector, and the measures outlined in the Statement are aimed at requiring the sector to invest in decarbonised energy solutions, embrace demand-flexibility and increase efficiency.
The principles for sustainable data centre development outlined in the Statement provide clear guidance for planning decision makers and system operators as to the Government’s priority for sustainable future developments, ensuring that data centres in Ireland contribute positively towards the green and digital transformation in our society and economy.
We see measures such as ‘demand flexibility’ as a pathway to decarbonisation. Demand flexibility will incentivise and enable Data centres to avoid consumption of electricity from the power system during times of system stress. Helping mitigate their impact on security of supply to some extent, with the power system less likely to face generation shortages at peak times.
Its important to acknowledge that some data centre operators are corporate leaders in decarbonising data, many of have committed to net zero carbon and 100% renewable energy goals. It is this Government’s intention to harness this ambition where possible, and for data centres to contribute to our national objectives by facilitating investment in renewable energy, energy storage, ‘energy parks’ and other efficient and sustainable development opportunities.
