Skip to main content
Ireland embraced the AI boom. Now its data centres are consuming too much of its energy
Huge new buildings kitted out with powerful computers consumed 21 per cent of the nation’s electricity last year – leading to increased power demands and increased bills. MATT O’BRIEN reports
Data

DOZENS of massive data centres humming at the outskirts of Dublin are consuming more electricity than all of the urban homes in Ireland and starting to wear out the warm welcome that brought them here.

Now, a country that made itself a computing factory for Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and TikTok is wondering whether it was all worth it as tech giants look around the world to build even more data centres to fuel the next wave of artificial intelligence.

Fears of rolling blackouts led Ireland’s grid operator to halt new data centres near Dublin until 2028. These huge buildings and their powerful computers last year consumed 21 per cent of the nation’s electricity, according to official records. No other country has reported a higher burden to the International Energy Agency.

Dublin’s data centre limits

Moving to the boglands?

Could wind save Ireland’s data centres?

Liberation webinar, 30 November2024, 6pm (UK)
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins speaks during a wreat
World / 17 May 2024
17 May 2024
Ireland's deputy leader Michael Martin says Britain’s controversial Legacy Act created a ‘huge challenge’ for the victims' families to seek justice
Women’s football / 25 April 2024
25 April 2024
LYNDA WALKER writes about Bohemian FC, who are set to welcome the Palestinian Women’s National team for their first ever match in Europe
13 - NnG electricity substation Fife
Features / 20 April 2024
20 April 2024
The wind energy boom in Scotland is not going to Scotland — why are we allowing both the jobs and the energy being produced go to foreign companies, asks KENNY MACASKILL MP