Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
134. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he supports enabling data centres to build their own fossil fuel power plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72887/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCRU’s published LEU Connection Policy Decision Paper sets out a pathway for new applications to connect to the electricity system that addresses security of electricity supply risks, system constraints and promotes renewable energy targets. The Decision supports the Government renewable energy targets, as data centres above certain thresholds will be required to meet at least 80% of their annual demand with new additional renewable electricity generated in the Republic of Ireland. The decision also requires that data centre’s above a certain size must provide dispatchable “onsite or proximate” generation and/or storage capacity which matches their demand.
The operation of fossil fuel generated back-up power systems is subject to strict statutory rules and environmental regulations aimed at limiting emissions, operating hours and interaction with the grid. All of these are overseen by the independent regulators the EPA, CRU, and the respective Distribution and System Operators EirGrid and ESB Networks regarding environmental regulation, connection policies, and system operation/connection.
Government policy on data centres firmly aims to enable the “twin transitions” of digitalisation and decarbonisation of our economy and society. This is further detailed in the 2022 Government Statement on Data Centres that sets out the principles for sustainable data centre development, including implementing decarbonised energy solutions and designs to increase energy efficiency. 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.
