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The Large Energy User Action Plan sets out details on growing the sector Alamy Stock Photo
The Daily Poll
Should we encourage or discourage the building of data centres?
The Enterprise Minister is set to bring a major plan to build more data centres across the country to Cabinet for sign off.
TODAY, ENTERPRISE MINISTER Peter Burke will bring forward a plan to Cabinet seeking approval for the expansion of data centres across Ireland.
Burke and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien will also publish the Large Energy User Action Plan, outlining details of growing the sector over the next five years.
The plan will set out that data centres can be developed in regional locations where there is generation capacity.
National electricity demand from data centres has increased from 5% of usage in 2015 to 22% in 2024.
According to Eirgrid, this demand, along with other new technology-related energy drains, will rise to 34% of electricity demand by 2034.
As of June 2025, there are 89 data centres in Ireland, all of which have been mapped by The Journal Investigates here.
So, we wanted to ask: Do you think we should be encouraging or discouraging the building of data centres?
Poll Results:
We should discourage the building of data centres (3868)
We should encourage the building of data centres (1951)
Not sure/No opinion (567)
have your say