Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
9. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress that has been made in developing district heating networks that utilise waste heat from data centres; whether further projects similar to the Tallaght district heating scheme are under development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69342/26]
View answerGovernment policy is supportive of the expansion of district heating and recognises the contribution it can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. The District Heating Steering Group Report was approved by Government in 2023, and a Working Group has been convened to oversee implementation of the Steering Group recommendations.
The Programme for Government prioritises waste heat capture from data centres for district heating systems. My Department is focussing on the expansion of efficient district heating based on the use of renewable energy and waste heat, including waste heat from data centres.
The first efficient district heating project operational in Ireland is in Tallaght. It was developed by South Dublin County Council, supported by the Climate Action Fund, and has been in operation since April 2023. This project uses waste heat from the nearby Amazon data centre to supply the heat to the network. The first phase of this project supplies heat to existing and new Local Authority buildings, the Technological University Dublin, Tallaght campus and 133 residential apartments. Phase 2 of this project is now being planned and evaluated by South Dublin County Council.
Through the District Heating Pre-Construction Fund, the Department is aware of a strong pipeline of further potential district heating projects, with a third proposing to use waste heat, of which a number are investigating or expected to use waste heat from data centres as a source of heat.
