Data centres across Ireland will soon be required to publicly disclose their carbon emissions and use of renewable energy under a new draft policy from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The proposed measure aims to bring greater transparency and clarity to the sector.
The decision is part of a broader effort to manage the growing energy demands of data centres. Energy consumption from these facilities has surged from 5% of Ireland's electricity usage in 2015 to 21% in 2023, with forecasts suggesting it could reach 30% by 2032.
Under current rules, new data centres must generate or store energy equivalent to their consumption. The new policy introduces flexibility by allowing this energy to be generated or stored near the data centre rather than exclusively onsite. Additionally, these centres will need to contribute power back to the national grid during periods of high demand.
Eirgrid and ESB Networks will now consider the geographic location of new data centres, particularly in regions where the electricity network is already under strain. Dublin, which has seen concentrated growth in the sector, has been identified as a key area of concern.
The policy also mandates an assessment of data centres' plans for future growth, including the potential return of any unused electricity capacity.
The CRU has voiced its support for a government-led comprehensive plan to guide data centre development in alignment with Ireland's decarbonisation goals and its ambitions for a knowledge-based economy.
The decision is part of a broader effort to manage the growing energy demands of data centres. Energy consumption from these facilities has surged from 5% of Ireland's electricity usage in 2015 to 21% in 2023, with forecasts suggesting it could reach 30% by 2032.
Under current rules, new data centres must generate or store energy equivalent to their consumption. The new policy introduces flexibility by allowing this energy to be generated or stored near the data centre rather than exclusively onsite. Additionally, these centres will need to contribute power back to the national grid during periods of high demand.
Eirgrid and ESB Networks will now consider the geographic location of new data centres, particularly in regions where the electricity network is already under strain. Dublin, which has seen concentrated growth in the sector, has been identified as a key area of concern.
The policy also mandates an assessment of data centres' plans for future growth, including the potential return of any unused electricity capacity.
The CRU has voiced its support for a government-led comprehensive plan to guide data centre development in alignment with Ireland's decarbonisation goals and its ambitions for a knowledge-based economy.
