Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
247. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any incentives or obligations under review within his Department that would support data centres in the use of renewable energy systems to minimise their reliance on the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3851/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of data centres and achieving the twin objective of decarbonisation and digitalisation. The Programme for Government contains key commitments such as enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and effective solutions, such as waste heat capture for district heating to reduce their carbon footprint. These commitments have been operationalised through the prioritisation of a range of policy and energy infrastructure planning workstreams.
The Government has also prioritised an increased and unprecedented investment in our grid and expanding our energy generation, with a particular priority on renewable energy sources which will be advantageous for all customers.
An updated Large Energy Users Connection Policy was published by the energy regulation, CRU, in December 2025. This has provided increased transparency in respect of new data centre connections to the electricity network and establishes a pathway for connection, addressing security of electricity supply and network constraint considerations, while promoting Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions. For example, data centres above a certain threshold will be required to meet at least 80% of their annual demand with new additional renewable electricity generated in the Republic of Ireland.
Government has also recently published a comprehensive Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) with robust measures that will, inter alia, accelerate energy generation, connectivity, and planning processes which will guide the development of data centres and other strategically significant energy intensive industries, in alignment with Ireland’s decarbonisation objectives and growing the knowledge-based economy. In particular, this will allow for greater co-location of energy-intensive sectors with the supply of renewable energy generation within green energy parks.
