Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
251. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to report on the water usage of data centres in Ireland; to provide details of all monitoring and regulation of water extraction and use for data centres in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45389/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWater usage management and conservation across commercial and industrial (non-domestic) sectors, including data centres, is an operational matter under the remit of Uisce Éireann. Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operations at national, regional and local levels. It is understood from their previous analysis that most large data centres have improved efficiency and rely on closed loop systems with minimal ongoing consumption, estimated at below ~0.20% total consumption. I understand Uisce Éireann is currently carrying out a review of data centre businesses with a view to having updated analysis this year.
Uisce Éireann has a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives that can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone 0818 578 578.
More generally, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) contains many new measures aimed at further enhancing and promoting energy efficiency across society including under Article 12 which specifically addresses data centres. Ongoing mandatory data centre energy and sustainability performance reporting across the EU under the EED aims to achieve these objectives. This information is being used to establish an EU wide rating scheme to measure performance through rating labels for individual data centres indicating, among other indicators, their energy and water use effectiveness. The Commission is advancing draft legislation to give this effect.
Government policy continues to support the sustainable growth of data centres and achieving the twin objective of decarbonisation and digitalisation. The Programme for Government commits to enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and effective solutions.
