Ireland a 'cautionary tale' over data centre construction, committee to hear

Ireland's 129 data centres consumed 23% of the country's electricity last year. Picture: Denis Minihane

An environmental advocacy body has warned Ireland has become a "cautionary tale" in terms of data centres, with pending construction likely to prevent renewables from displacing gas on Ireland's energy grid.

Friends of the Earth Ireland will tell the Oireachtas committee on artificial intelligence on Tuesday that there is currently 700 megawatts worth of data centre development at the planning stage across Ireland.