The increasing presence of data centres in Ireland has sparked a debate about their impact on the economy and environment. While proponents argue that data centres are vital for technological advancement and contribute significantly to Ireland’s export economy, critics raise concerns about their massive energy consumption and carbon footprint. Current projections suggest that by 2027, data centres could account for 31% of Ireland’s electricity demand, raising questions about sustainability and energy management. Industry experts highlight the need for a robust renewable energy infrastructure to power these centres while minimizing environmental impact. There is also a call for better public engagement and planning to ensure that local communities see tangible benefits from these developments. Overall, the future of data centres in Ireland hinges on balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.
| name | description | change | 10-year | driving-force | relevancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Perception of Data Centres | Growing skepticism and concern about the role of data centres in Ireland. | Shift from acceptance to skepticism regarding data centres’ benefits to communities. | Increased public demand for accountability and transparency from data centre operators and government. | Rising awareness of environmental impacts and energy consumption associated with data centres. | 4 |
| Renewable Energy Capacity | Ireland’s potential to generate more renewable energy than its own consumption. | From reliance on non-renewable energy to a surplus of renewable energy generation. | Significant increase in renewable energy infrastructure supporting data centres and local communities. | Government policies aiming for 70% renewable electricity by 2030. | 5 |
| Data Centre Energy Consumption | Projected increase in electricity consumption by data centres in Ireland. | From low impact (2% of electricity demand) to a projected 31% by 2027. | Data centres may significantly influence Ireland’s energy strategy and infrastructure investment. | Rapid growth of data services and demand for digital infrastructure. | 5 |
| Greenwashing Concerns | Public distrust regarding the environmental claims made by data centres. | Shift from viewing data centres as clean to recognizing their carbon footprint. | Increased scrutiny of corporate sustainability claims and accountability. | Demand for genuine environmental practices as awareness of climate issues grows. | 4 |
| Integration of IoT Data | The increasing amount of data generated by interconnected devices. | From manual data generation to automated data production by IoT devices. | Widespread adoption of IoT, requiring robust data processing infrastructure. | Technological advancements in connectivity and automation. | 4 |
| Economic Impact of Data Centres | Data centres contributing significantly to Ireland’s export economy. | From traditional industries’ dominance to digital services leading exports. | Digital infrastructure may become a key economic sector, reshaping Ireland’s economy. | Shift towards a knowledge and service-based economy. | 5 |
| Infrastructure Investment Trends | Projected increase in construction spending for data centres in Ireland. | From moderate investment to a doubling of construction spending for data centres. | A transformed landscape with extensive data infrastructure impacting communities. | Rising demand for digital services and data storage solutions. | 5 |
| Public Trust in Data Management | Need for public trust in how data centres manage and protect data. | From limited awareness to demand for transparency and accountability. | Heightened public engagement in data privacy discussions and regulations. | Growing concerns about data privacy and security among consumers. | 4 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Impact of Data Centres | Data centres significantly increase carbon emissions and energy consumption, posing risks to climate and community health. | 5 |
| Community Resistance and Perception | Growing skepticism and negative public perception of data centres as they dominate local landscapes and resources without clear benefits. | 4 |
| Over-reliance on Non-renewable Energy | Dependence on fossil fuels for backup energy generation undermines claims of renewable energy usage, increasing carbon footprints. | 5 |
| Infrastructure Strain and Energy Shortages | Projected energy demand from data centres could strain existing infrastructure and lead to shortages for local households. | 5 |
| Inequitable Distribution of Benefits | Local communities bear costs of data centre infrastructure without evident benefits, leading to potential social tensions. | 4 |
| Job Creation vs Corporate Gain | Data centres are viewed as poor job creators, benefitting corporations over local economies and workers. | 4 |
| Sustainability and Greenwashing Concerns | Claims of sustainability from data centre operators are challenged by actual environmental impacts, raising transparency issues. | 5 |
| Legislative and Regulatory Challenges | Inadequate public policy frameworks may fail to manage data centre proliferation and its implications effectively. | 4 |
| Technological Dependency | Increased reliance on data centres and IoT devices raises concerns about data privacy and the power dynamics of tech giants. | 5 |
| Need for Robust Energy Systems | Future energy systems must adapt to high demand from data centres while achieving decarbonization goals, indicating systemic vulnerabilities. | 5 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Public Skepticism of Data Centres | Growing public concern and skepticism about the environmental impacts and energy consumption of data centres in Ireland. | 5 |
| Demand for Renewable Energy Solutions | Increased focus on the need for renewable energy to power burgeoning data centre operations and reduce carbon footprint. | 5 |
| Community Engagement in Energy Planning | Emerging need for local communities to be involved in discussions about energy infrastructure and data centre placements. | 4 |
| Integration of IoT and Data Sharing | Expansion of IoT devices and automatic data sharing, increasing reliance on data centres for technological advancement. | 4 |
| Economic Dependency on Data Services | Growing recognition of data services as a key component of Ireland’s economy and exports, despite environmental concerns. | 5 |
| Greenwashing Awareness | Heightened awareness of greenwashing practices among tech companies regarding their environmental impact. | 4 |
| Energy Infrastructure Development | Recognition of the urgent need to develop robust energy infrastructure to accommodate the increasing demand from data centres. | 5 |
| Localized Energy Solutions | Exploration of localized energy production and distribution methods to mitigate environmental impacts of data centres. | 4 |
| description | relevancy | src |
|---|---|---|
| Large facilities for storing, managing, and processing data, crucial for modern digital infrastructure. | 4 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data automatically, enhancing efficiency and monitoring. | 5 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Innovative methods and technologies to harness renewable energy sources for sustainable power generation. | 5 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Using excess heat from data centers for agricultural and industrial processes, promoting energy efficiency. | 3 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Electricity systems that integrate high levels of renewable energy while minimizing carbon emissions. | 5 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Innovative systems for storing energy generated from renewable sources to ensure reliability and flexibility. | 4 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| Advanced electrical grid systems that use digital communication to monitor and manage electricity supply and demand. | 4 | fe8c9a54a3dbc61b0abc367d14524f53 |
| name | description | relevancy |
|---|---|---|
| Data Centre Impact on Local Communities | Concerns about data centres being perceived as extractive entities that do not contribute to local communities. | 4 |
| Energy Consumption and Sustainability | Data centres projected to consume significant electricity, raising questions about sustainability and reliance on renewable energy. | 5 |
| Greenwashing in Tech Industry | Skepticism regarding claims of renewable energy use by data centres and the actual carbon footprint of operations. | 5 |
| Infrastructure Strain and Development | The rapid rise of data centres may strain existing energy infrastructure, necessitating significant investment in new facilities. | 4 |
| Public Perception and Acceptance | Growing public concern and skepticism regarding the benefits of data centres and their environmental impact. | 4 |
| Legislative and Regulatory Challenges | The need for comprehensive planning and regulatory frameworks to manage the growth and impact of data centres. | 4 |
| Impact of IoT on Data Demand | The increasing number of connected devices adding to the demand for data storage and processing capabilities. | 3 |
| Potential for Renewable Energy Generation | Opportunities for integrating renewable energy sources to meet the growing energy demands of data centres. | 4 |
| Economic Disparities in Energy Distribution | Concerns that energy generated from renewable sources may predominantly benefit large corporations over local communities. | 4 |
| Future of Energy Infrastructure | Challenges in adapting Ireland’s energy infrastructure to accommodate the growing needs of data centres and other industries. | 5 |