Gridlock looms as Big Data drive gathers pace

The tripling in size of Ireland’s data sector over the next decade will put the national grid under huge pressure

‘The value of these data centres to the mtech companies is clear, but the real value to our economy beyond temporary construction jobs is questionable’ Picture: Google/Connie Zhou

When Amazon announced a plan to buy all of the energy from a wind farm in Donegal two weeks ago, it was met with high praise. But take a step back, and the picture is a little different.

Data centres are increasing overall power energy demand in Ireland dramatically - so much so that the ESB will construct four new gas turbines in Dublin alone in the next ten years.

The government has ...