Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
137. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has made any assessments into future demand for energy from data centres, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence and the related need for extra storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70042/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile Ireland has attracted some of the best data centre and tech companies in the world, it is important that the Government continues to work with the sector to grow the sector and to ensure a secure and decarbonised energy future. Data centres are central to Ireland’s economic and digital future as they are a key part of our value proposition for foreign direct investment and the associated employment. They are central to Ireland’s economic and digital future. I am aware that as Artificial Intelligence continues to develop, the importance of data centres will only increase, not only as the backbone of digital infrastructure but as critical enablers of innovation, scalability, and resilience.
While in the near-term already contracted data centres will be accommodated on the grid, for the medium-term the Government continues to work with the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, to assess the various expected future demands on the system including from economic and population growth, housing, electric vehicle and heat pump targets and data centre growth, as part of their network development plans.
Additionally, the Programme for Government commits to scale up investment in critical infrastructure and our electricity grid which will be advantageous for all customers and enhance the data centre and digital economy footprint to support continued FDI investment.
