Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
71. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the way in which waste-heat assessments for existing data centres over 1 MW, as required under Article 26(6) of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791, will be implemented in a manner that is efficient, proportionate and does not create unnecessary delays for investment or expansion; and which bodies will be responsible for this process. [32042/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EU 2023/1791) (EED) is a wide-ranging European directive which seeks to enhance energy efficiency across all EU Member States and forms a key part of the EU’s Fit for 55 Package. The Recast EED replaces the 2012 EED, as amended in 2018, which Ireland has previously fully transposed and implemented.
The new EED was finalised in October 2023, with a transposition deadline of 11 October 2025, and contains many new measures aimed at further enhancing energy efficiency across society. The Government has a very ambitious programme in place to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors of society, as a key part of the drive to decarbonise and achieve our climate targets. The Government is fully committed to implementing the EED and recognises the significant benefits arising from embracing energy efficiency for Irish society, including reduced energy costs to households, businesses and the Exchequer; increased competitiveness and job creation; reduced fossils fuel use and reduced carbon emissions; a reduction in energy poverty; improved health outcomes; and increased energy security.
The Government has invested heavily in promoting energy efficiency across all sectors, including through residential energy efficiency grants provided by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), investment in transport measures that promote energy efficiency through greater use of public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, and further measures in the industrial and commercial sectors. Significant progress has been made in enhancing energy efficiency to date.
The EED contains highly complex and technical requirements which have required careful consideration prior to their adoption into Irish law. Work on the transposition of Directive EU 2023/1971 on Energy Efficiency is ongoing across a number of policy areas in my Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments, Agencies and stakeholders. Both the SEAI and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities will have a critical role to play in the implementation of the Recast Energy Efficiency Directive in Ireland.
Article 26 concerns the supply of heating and cooling and contains requirements related to district heating systems and capturing waste heat from large industrial installations, including data centres. Work on the full implementation of this article is progressing, with draft secondary legislation at an advanced stage of development.
Article 26 (6) specifically contains a requirement for Member States to ensure that data centres with a total rated energy input exceeding 1 MW utilise the waste heat or other waste heat recovery applications unless they can show that it is not technically or economically feasible in accordance with the assessment referred to in paragraph 7 of Article 26. It is my intention that this requirement will be implemented in Ireland in a manner that is practical, effective and proportionate.
My Department is working to complete the transposition of the Energy Efficiency Directive as soon as possible.
