Engineers urge €9bn spending on power to feed data centres

Ireland’s electricity system will require major investment if it is to keep up with the energy demand generated by future data centres, according to the Irish Academy of Engineering.

Ireland’s government, which is encouraging more data centres to settle in the country, could be struggling to supply enough power to these centres in less than a decade, the academy said in a report issued last month. It would take an investment of €9 billion in the electricity industry over the coming eight years to meet increased demand for power from data centres, it said.

The Academy of Engineering periodically publishes research papers and policy advisories on topics such as energy and climate action. It also prepares submissions as they arise from public consultations.