Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms MacEvilly for her interesting presentation. There was a lot in it. She spoke about demand-side management when it comes to individual customers and the tools they can use, including smart metering. Is there much of a role in demand-side management for industrial users? I have raised an issue a number of times. I have concerns about the continued growth of data centres in the country, the unfettered growth in the industrial side of usage and the potential impacts of that. Has the commission conducted any analysis of the impact of data centres on the security of supply?

Ms MacEvilly stated it will not be a costless transition and there is the potential for electricity prices to increase. I am interested in the opinion of our guests. Data centres will be responsible for 30% of Ireland's electricity demand within nine years. If all the applications relating to data centres go through, that amount could rise to 70%. Is there a risk of that pushing up prices for individual residential users? Our guests might let me know their thoughts on that issue. Ms MacEvilly spoke about the need to make sure there is not cross-subsidisation of costs. I wonder whether there is a risk if we allow the data centres to continue to grow that there will be cross-subsidisation by increased electricity prices for residential users.