Data centres expand beyond Dublin amid restrictions, igniting debates on renewable energy and local impacts.
Ireland’s burgeoning data centre industry, dominated by global tech firms like Google and Amazon, is consuming over 20% of the nation’s electricity. Rising demand has led to restrictions on new developments near Dublin until 2028, as regulators address concerns over energy use, emissions, and household electricity costs.
Efforts to expand data centres into rural areas like County Offaly promise economic opportunities but raise environmental and cultural preservation debates. Residents remain divided over renewable energy projects linked to these facilities.
As Ireland navigates energy and climate goals, questions linger about balancing technological growth with sustainability.
