Data centres: Are they unwanted but necessary guests in our landscape?

Pádraig Hoare takes a look at the issue of the now ubiquitous data centre, which some say are necessary if we are to continue the technological revolution

Big data centres are seen as usurpers of Irish land, taking up massive spaces but giving little back.

They have become somewhat of an unwanted guest in some quarters in Ireland in recent years, akin to the perception of a foreign millionaire deciding to decamp to Ireland and making it home, telling locals how to do things, enjoying all the spoils, but not really contributing to their communities.

Big data centres are seen as usurpers of Irish land, taking up massive spaces but giving little back, leeching off the electricity grid and pumping little back into the community.