Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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201. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and location of islanded data centres currently operating. [13374/23]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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202. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and location of islanded data centres proposed but not yet operating. [13375/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.

Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) has responsibility for operating and maintaining Ireland's national gas network. I have been advised by GNI that there is currently one data centre connected to the gas network which is consuming gas in island mode in advance of completion of its electrical grid power connection.

GNI further inform me that as of February 2023, 11 data centre sites are contracted to connect to the gas network and are currently anticipated to be enduring connections. Eight of these may utilise gas in island mode.

The actual gas usage will depend on multiple factors including: availability of electrical grid capacity and how often on-site generation may be required by the Transmission System Operator to complement electrical grid power in times of electrical grid constraints, the phasing of construction/operation of the data centre development(s), the utilisation rates of operational data centre space within each development, and when firm electrical grid power may become available to these developments.

The location of these data centres cannot be released due to commercial sensitivity and confidentiality.

I would also like to inform the Deputy that the delivery of a Demand Side Strategy is included in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which is to be lead by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This will include a review of the gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users (LEUs).