EirGrid warning over 'mass exodus' of data centres from Ireland

Electricity network operator fears that without firm plans for new connection agreements, some large data centres will exit the country

EirGrid said it had been warning of pressures on power supply since as early as 2016. Picture: File

A briefing from EirGrid, which operates the electricity network in Ireland, warned of a possible “mass exodus” of data centres from the country if new connection agreements could not be signed off on.

The presentation said EirGrid had been warning of pressures on power supply since as early as 2016 and had escalated the matter to the minister for transport in 2021, warning that the country had a significant power “generation deficit”.