Data centre energy use in Ireland increased 32% last year

More energy in Ireland is now consumed by data centres than by all the country’s rural dwellings combined

The Increase in consumption was driven by existing data centres using more electricity and new data centres being added to the grid. Picture: Getty

Energy consumption by data centres in Ireland increased by 32 per cent in 2021 and now accounts for 14 per cent of all metered electricity consumption in the country.

This is a 3 per cent rise on 2020, when data centres accounted for 11 per cent of all metered electricity consumption, and means that as of this year, data centres consume more energy in Ireland per year than all the country’s rural dwellings combined.

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