In a twist that might surprise some, datacentres in Ireland outstripped the electricity consumption of all urban households combined last year, according to official statistics. These tech hubs guzzled an eye-watering 21% of the nation’s electricity—a jump of 20% from the year before.
It's a trend that has sparked concern among experts, who worry it could throw a wrench in Ireland and Europe’s climate ambitions.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, the appetite for data processing is skyrocketing, and projections suggest datacentres might escalate their energy use to a staggering 31% of Ireland's total electricity within the next three years.
To put that in perspective, the combined electricity usage of both urban and rural households was just 28% in 2023.
What’s fueling this surge? A significant reliance on fossil fuels accounts for more than half of Ireland's electricity, predominantly from gas plants, coal, peat, and oil.
That’s a call to action for Ireland to pivot toward renewable energy solutions swiftly.
Professor Paul Deane from University College Cork emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing renewables, highlighting that while datacentres continue their rapid expansion, focusing on sustainable energy sources is crucial to meet the rising demand without compromising the environment.
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