Can Ireland live up to its climate targets & support its growing population in parallel with an ever-expanding private data centre sector?
Ireland’s energy transition is facing a significant challenge from the unchecked growth of large energy users such as data centres. This is undermining its ability to meet its 2030 climate targets and secure a sustainable future for all. While our renewable energy supply is increasing, our energy consumption is rapidly out-stripping that growth.
EirGrid predicts data centres will consume 31% of national electricity by 2034 – equivalent to two million homes – with a concentration in Dublin. It also estimates that 89% of growth in Ireland’s electricity demand is attributed to data centres and that demand is racing ahead of advances in renewable sources.
With increased demand for AI the energy needs of the existing data sector will accelerate further. While the Irish Government concedes Ireland will fail its 2030 climate targets by 50% – and face billions in fines – the real cost of continuing to support the spiralling data centres sector is not being fully counted.
The sector’s impact on another limited resource – water – is also hidden in the assessment of the social-economic and environmental cost of unchecked data centres expansion. How can Ireland face up to the challenge of meeting its climate targets, living within its carbon budgets and meet the needs of a growing population in parallel with an ever-expanding private data centres sector?
What are our policy options?
Join this An Taisce expert insight briefing with
Phoebe Duvall, Senior Planning and Environmental Policy Officer, An Taisce
Dr Elaine McGoff, Head of Advocacy, An Taisce
Dr Patrick Brodie, UCD
Prof Barry McMullin, DCU & An Taisce Climate Committee
Session introduced by an Taisce Chair, Terri Morrissey and facilitated by Helen Shaw, Chair, Climate Committee. There will be a 15-minute Q&A at the end of the briefing.
An Taisce has produced a policy position on Data Centres and you can access that full document via AnTaisce.org
This webinar will be recorded.
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