Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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269. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he aware of the CRU’s recent decision on the large energy users connection policy; if he is aware of their conclusion (details supplied); his plan to ensure that data centre expansion does not jeopardise Ireland’s climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19401/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government addresses the challenges regarding the sustainability of data centres by committing to allow data centres that contribute both to economic growth and efficient grid usage, by enhancing the use of renewable energy sources, energy efficient technology and energy effective solutions. The Programme for Government also sets out our commitment to achieving 80% of Ireland’s electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 and to scale up investment in our electricity grid and supporting infrastructure.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Large Energy Users Connection Policy Proposed Decision Paper on February 18th, with a subsequent consultation period which ran until April 4th. The CRU is an independent regulator responsible for electricity and gas network connection policy and accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas. Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, public bodies have a general obligation to perform their functions, in so far as practicable, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the various plans and strategies under the legislation and furthering the achievement of the national climate objective.

As stated in their proposed decision paper, the CRU considers that, in their view, the provisions under the Climate Action Act do not provide a sufficient legal basis to allow the CRU to explicitly mandate specific emissions reduction and offsetting measures. The Government is reviewing the CRU’s proposed decisions and recommendations to assess the implications of these decisions for our ability to meet our climate goals.

More broadly, Ireland has attracted the best data centre and tech companies in the world; this is a really important relationship, and the Government continues to work with the sector towards a secure and decarbonised energy future.