New regulations unveiled by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will require future data centres in Ireland to maintain backup power systems matching their full demand levels, though without restrictions on fossil fuel use. This development comes as the sector continues to significantly impact national power consumption.
The proposed rules, announced today, aim to address growing concerns about data centres’ strain on Ireland’s electricity grid, particularly around Dublin. New facilities must now ensure they have adequate backup power generation or storage capacity, either on-site or nearby, to match their operational demands.
Recent investigations by The Journal revealed that existing data centre backup generators have emitted over 135,000 tonnes of CO2 in the past five years – equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly 34,000 cars. Despite these environmental concerns, the new regulations won’t prohibit fossil fuel use, with the CRU emphasizing market participation over fuel source restrictions.
Dr. Tanya Harrington, CRU Commissioner, explained that the regulations aim to balance various competing demands while providing clarity to the sector. New facilities will be required to participate in the power market, potentially supplying electricity to homes and businesses, and must report their emissions and renewable energy usage.
According to The Journal, the significance of these regulations is underscored by University College Cork research showing data centre electricity demand has grown by almost 23% annually since 2015, far outpacing other sectors’ growth of less than 0.5%. Projections suggest the sector’s share of national electricity demand will increase from 21% in 2023 to 30% by 2032.