Growth of data centres is overwhelming our energy system

Sir, – The pressure data centres put on our energy system is so intense they now use more than twice as much electricity as all the homes in rural Ireland combined. Moreover, in 2023, Meta’s data centre in Clonee used more water than any other Meta data centre in the world. And of course, half of the energy that powers data centres comes from dirty fossil fuels.

This is not normal – data centres use 21 per cent of Irish electricity compared to an EU average of around 2 per cent. The next highest country is the Netherlands at 5 per cent.

David McWilliams tells us that we should power up our electricity for the demand of tomorrow (“Ireland should not be blocking data centres, we need more of them”, Weekend, August 31st). But more and more data centres are being approved and built now whereas ramping up renewables takes time. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland analysis shows that the substantial increases in renewables in recent years have been completely gobbled up by the colossal expansion in electricity data centre demand. This raises the question of who and what is our renewable energy transition for? Is it to eliminate the pollution driving climate breakdown, ensuring we have a safer, cleaner, healthier future for us all to enjoy? Or is it just to support the further growth of big tech and its drive for more advertising, consumption and profit. South Dublin County Council’s recent decision to refuse permission for another Google Data Centre in Grange Castle is therefore an admirable and correct decision that should be replicated by other councils and An Bord Pleanála. It would have used as much electricity as 250,000 homes.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to stop the runaway growth of data centres overwhelming our energy system. We need to introduce a moratorium until a robust legislative system is in place that ensures data centres are operating within our climate limits. This will ensure we can prioritise transforming our energy system for the benefit of public need and a just transition. – Is mise,