The rapid expansion of data centres in Ireland is raising alarms among environmentalists and researchers, as new studies reveal that their energy consumption is undermining the country’s climate commitments. With electricity demand from data centres growing at an alarming rate, experts warn that Ireland may struggle to meet its 2030 climate targets if current trends continue.
Key Takeaways
Data centres accounted for 21% of Ireland’s electricity consumption last year, with projections indicating this could exceed the entire industrial sector by 2030.
The demand for electricity from data centres has increased by an average of 22.6% annually since 2015, compared to a mere 0.4% for other sectors.
A significant portion of renewable energy generated in Ireland is being consumed by data centres, negating potential reductions in fossil fuel use.
Data Centre Demand Surges
Research from University College Cork highlights that the electricity demand from data centres has surged dramatically, with projections suggesting that by 2030, their consumption could surpass that of Ireland’s entire industrial sector. This trend poses a significant threat to the nation’s legally binding climate targets.
Between 2017 and 2023, all additional wind energy generated in Ireland was absorbed by data centres, indicating that the growth in renewable energy is not translating into reduced fossil fuel consumption. Without the presence of data centres, Ireland’s electricity demand would have remained relatively stable over the past decade.
Environmental Impact
The environmental implications of this unchecked growth are severe. Data centres are increasingly connecting to the natural gas network to circumvent limitations in the electricity grid, which prolongs Ireland’s dependency on fossil fuels. This shift not only threatens the country’s carbon budgets but also exacerbates energy security concerns.
The report commissioned by Friends of the Earth reveals that the current trajectory of data centre demand is incompatible with Ireland’s climate commitments. Experts argue that without decisive action, data centres will continue to divert renewable energy to meet their growing demand rather than displacing fossil fuels.
Calls for Policy Change
Environmental campaigners are urging the government to impose a moratorium on the expansion of data centres until a comprehensive policy framework is established. They argue that the current approach allows corporations like Amazon and Meta to dominate the energy landscape, creating inequalities in energy access across the country.
Rosi Leonard, a data centre campaigner, stated that the state’s policy of permitting unlimited data centre growth is akin to fighting climate change with one hand tied behind its back. The report calls for stricter regulations on data centre connections to the power and gas grids, ensuring alignment with carbon budgets.
Conclusion
As Ireland grapples with the dual challenges of economic growth and climate commitments, the rapid expansion of data centres presents a critical dilemma. The findings from recent studies underscore the urgent need for a reevaluation of policies governing data centre development to safeguard the country’s climate future. Without immediate action, Ireland risks falling short of its climate targets, jeopardising both environmental integrity and energy security.
Sources
Data centre growth 'threat to' Ireland's climate targets, RTE.ie.
Data centres to use more electricity than Ireland's entire industrial sector by 2030, Irish Examiner.
Data centre boom under AI growth in Ireland threatening climate targets, report warns – The Irish Times, The Irish Times.
State’s ban on new data centres is putting 2030 climate target at risk, Engineers Ireland warn | Business Post, Business Post.
Campaigners call on government to pause data centre growth due to climate commitment threat, The Journal.
