The electricity demands of data centres in Ireland have continued to soar, rising by 10% between 2023 and 2024, according to new figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The figures highlight the growing energy impact of the country’s expanding digital infrastructure.
Data centres accounted for 22% of all metered electricity used in Ireland last year, consuming a total of 6,969 gigawatt hours (GWh). That marks a dramatic increase from 2015, when data centres made up just 5% of the national electricity consumption.
The report also revealed a staggering long-term trend: electricity usage by data centres surged by 531% between the first quarter of 2015 and the final quarter of 2024. Consumption rose from 290 GWh in early 2015 to 1,829 GWh by the end of 2024 — more than a sixfold increase in under a decade.
The figures come amid growing scrutiny of the environmental footprint of data centres, which are used to power cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the online services that underpin modern business and consumer activity.
In contrast to the rapid rise in energy consumption by data centres, electricity usage by all other users — including homes, businesses, and institutions — rose by just 3% in 2024.
Residential electricity usage remained a major component of national consumption, with urban households accounting for 18% and rural households for 10% of total metered electricity use last year.
Overall, Ireland’s total metered electricity consumption has increased by 30% since 2015, with data centres being the primary driver behind that growth.
The surge in electricity demand from data centres has prompted national debate over energy security, sustainability, and the need for stricter planning and environmental regulations. The government has already introduced guidelines to limit the development of new centres in areas where the electricity grid is under pressure, while also exploring options for greener energy sources and improved efficiency.
The CSO’s data is likely to add fuel to ongoing discussions about how Ireland can balance its ambitions as a digital hub with its environmental commitments and infrastructure capacity. With data centres expected to continue expanding, energy policy will remain a critical issue for policymakers, energy providers, and the tech sector alike.
