Irish data centres 'demonised' despite their 'critical role' in ICT sector

Data centres already account for about 20% of electricity consumption, with predictions that it will exceed 30% by 2030

Meta's Clonee Data Centre in Co Meath. read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ongoing limitations to building data centres are posing a "considerable risk" to Ireland's attractiveness for foreign direct investment and have been "demonised" by certain quarters of the country, a new report has found.

A study by economist Jim Power and Gerard O'Neill from Amárach Research said data centre's play a "critical role" in Ireland's corporate tax windfall and will be a key driver of economic performance.