Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of islanded data centres contracted to connect to the gas network; the number connected to the gas network of those contracted; the number awaiting connection to the gas network of those contracted; the number of formal enquiries that have been received but which are not contracted; and, for each category, the amount of capacity involved, in tabular form. [71755/25]
View answerIt is understood that the term ‘islanded’ is intended to refer to a data centre fuelled mainly or wholly by fossil fuel and / or a data centre that does not have an electricity connection sufficient to cover its entire energy requirement.
I am advised that it is important to note that Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) does not assign or classify data centres as between “islanded” and “non-islanded”. The exact status of a data centre is primarily a function of the timelines (if any) pertaining to when that data centre will receive an electricity connection to allow them to move to electricity as their primary source.
The gas connection policy, and so GNI’s application process, does not currently require information as to alternative fuel sources and GNI does not formally collect information as to whether a data centre would be ‘islanded’ or indeed the anticipated duration of same.
GNI has provided the following information relating to the connection agreements entered into by GNI in relation to all data centres, together with information as to additional connection applications. This information relates to all formal applications for connection to GNI’s network, including so called ‘islanded’ data centres.
|
Category |
Number |
Aggregated Max Hourly Load (MW) |
|
Data Centres contracted to connect to the gas network |
11 |
2,100 |
|
Connected to the gas network (of those contracted) |
7 |
1,778 |
|
Awaiting connection to the gas network (of those contracted) |
4 |
322 |
|
Formal outstanding applications received from Data Centre Sites (but not contracted) |
16 |
5,456** |
*Of the 11 that are contracted, 7 are connected whereby 5 of those data centres connected are currently consuming gas
**Projected demand from these enquiries’ ranges from 40.5MW up to 1,300MW; the aggregated demand represents the total developer’s strategic long-term ambition which would be dependent on multiple factors including; ability to gain planning permission for multiple phases, availability of electricity grid capacity, permitting, data centre storage demand and route to market to fund these projects.
Government policy remains that ‘islanded’ data centres (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.
The new CRU connection policy focused on electricity connections and did not introduce any new decisions relating to connections to the gas network, however I am advised that CRU is actively engaging and will consult with GNI separately on this in the near term.
