Data centers in Ireland account for over 20 percent of nation's electricity consumption
Date
7/24/2024 4:15:38 AM
(MENAFN) Data centers in Ireland, a key European hub for these energy-intensive facilities, now account for over a fifth of the nation's electricity consumption, surpassing the electricity used by all urban Irish households combined. Official statistics released by Ireland's Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday reveal that data centers consumed 21 percent of the country's metered electricity in 2023. This marks a significant increase from just five percent in 2015 and an 18 percent share in 2022.
In comparison, the electricity consumption of urban homes was reported at 18 percent in 2023, a slight decrease from 19 percent the previous year. Meanwhile, rural households contributed to 10 percent of the total electricity consumption. This shift highlights the growing dominance of data centers in Ireland's energy landscape and underscores the increasing demand for electricity driven by these facilities.
The rising energy consumption by data centers has sparked a heated debate in Ireland about the impact on the country's electricity grid. Concerns are mounting over the strain these centers place on the grid, especially in light of accelerating demand due to advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies. Earlier this year, Ireland's grid operator Eirgrid issued warnings about potential "electricity supply challenges" in the coming decade, attributing part of this pressure to the rapid growth of large energy consumers, including data centers.
Looking ahead, the situation is expected to worsen. According to an International Energy Agency report published in January, data centers are projected to account for nearly 30 percent of Ireland's electricity consumption by 2028. Major tech companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and TikTok operate some of the over 80 data centers in Ireland, with several more expansions and new facilities planned. This boom in data centers and tech companies has been fueled by Ireland's favorable policy of low corporate taxation, which has made it an attractive destination for these energy-hungry operations.
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