Ireland must refuse all new planning applications for data centres until the national electricity grid is able to cope with demand, according to People Before Profit.
The Dáil will today vote on the party’s Climate Emergency Measures Bill which would prevent authorities from granting permission for new data centres or liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning People Before Profit (PBP) TD Bríd Smith said Ireland currently has 70 data centres, with eight under construction and 30 already granted planning permission.
She said the data centres are already sucking up 11% of the national electricity grid – and no more should be added until we have the renewable energy infrastructure to cope with demand.
“It is very clear that we can’t reach our climate emergency targets of reducing our emissions by 51% by 2030 – and I think the minister has declared an increase in that – if we continue to allow for the development of data centres and back them up by a proliferation of gas infrastructure throughout the country,” she said.
She said the bill will prevent new data centres being planned rather than limit the ones that are already in train.
“I am saying hold it there,” she said. “Don’t give out any more planning permission for data centres until the national grid is able to cope.
“Ireland is unique in allowing 11% of its national grid to be sucked up by data centres. Singapore put a moratorium on them at 7% of the national grid and Singapore is also a data hub – so why are we treating it differently.”
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