Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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247. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to carry out a strategic overview of the energy impact of data centres; and if so, when it will be published. [40202/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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In recognition of the economic benefits that data centres can bring to Ireland, the Government published a national policy statement on the strategic importance of data centres as part of Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy in July 2018. The Policy Statement strengthens the Strategic Policy Framework around the development of data centres in Ireland while taking account of wider energy policy developments including growth in renewable electricity capacity.

The Policy Statement makes it clear that planning and development of the electricity transmission system, including network investment needs and long term scenario planning, should be guided by Project Ireland 2040 in terms of more balanced regional development and a plan-led approach.  This has been reflected in EirGrid’s recent Tomorrow Energy Scenarios Locations Report which includes a scenario with a greater regional spread of data centres which was published in August 2018. As a next step, EirGrid's forthcoming Transmission System Needs Assessment Report will identify any future needs on the transmission system brought about by changes in electricity generation, demand, storage or interconnection.