Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

To go back to the last point I was making, the data centres have to fit in with our decarbonisation plans. We can achieve this by considering their demand response and whether location can vary demand. Many data centres have been located in the Dublin area. EirGrid has been doing a lot of work on the question of bringing the generation to where the power is used so our grid will work better. It is also a question of ascertaining whether the centres can have their own backup power, and work within a system of backup power, so they can contribute to system security.

Deputy O'Rourke is right that there is a significant issue over increases in energy prices. The increase affecting gas has had consequences for electricity. It is primarily subject to international factors. It is an issue right across Europe and most of the world. It is a complex situation but it is primarily driven by a massive increase in gas prices. It is occurring because last winter was very cold. There is a very low level of gas storage and the price of carbon on the international carbon market is very high. It is an issue of switching off coal plants internationally and switching on gas plants. The circumstances I have described, and a huge increase in demand for gas in Asia, are leading to a spike in gas prices, which is the primary cause of the increase in electricity prices.

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