Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
12. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding any data centre in Ireland that is associated with a district heating supply to use the excess heat created by their operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44330/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment 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 supports this recognising that waste heat capture from data centres for district heating systems is prioritised. The 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.
In the case of the Tallaght District Heating Project, 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 number of these projects investigating or expected to use waste heat from data centres as a source of heat. Following the completion of the Expression of Interest phase, the Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland have progressed to the detailed application stage of the fund.
