Written answer
Energy Policy
The Government’s position is unchanged: data centres must support decarbonisation and energy security. New connections must meet at least 80% of annual electricity demand through additional Irish renewable generation, alongside measures promoting efficiency, co-location with renewables, grid investment and private infrastructure development.
115. 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. [64944/26]
Comment on this
I refer the Deputy to the answer provided to PQ No. 7 of 10 June 2026. The position remains unchanged.
The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of data centres and achieving the twin objectives of decarbonisation and digitalisation. Data centres, like all large energy users, must exist within the boundaries of our climate obligations as well as energy security. This is further detailed in the 2022 Government Statement on Data Centres that sets out the principles for sustainable data centre development, including implementing decarbonised energy solutions and designs to increase energy efficiency.
The Programme for Government contains key commitments such as enhancing data centres’ use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and effective solutions 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 prioritised an increased and unprecedented investment in our grid and expanding our energy generation, with a particular priority on renewable energy sources, taking place during 2026-30 under the Price Review 6 regulatory framework, backstopped by a €3.5bn equity investment by Government in the electricity system operators.
The CRU Large Energy User Connection Policy establishes a pathway for new data centres to seek connection to the electricity system, that requires greater active system supports from data centres, addresses security of electricity supply risks, system constraints and promotes renewable energy targets. It requires new connections to meet at least 80% of their annual electricity demand with new additional renewable electricity generated in Ireland.
Alongside that, the Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP) sets out 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.
Legislation is also being developed in my Department which will allow for private investment in electricity infrastructure and will particularly help to expedite the development of more renewable energy and electricity storage. These wires will provide greater opportunity for electricity customers and generators and will lead to increased competitiveness and sustainability. This legislation is being progressed by my Department and I hope that it will be finalised in the coming months.