State’s ban on new data centres is putting 2030 climate target at risk, Engineers Ireland warn

The state’s “de-facto” ban on new data centre developments is hindering investment in new renewable energy projects and risks Ireland missing its 2030 climate targets, the head of Engineers Ireland has warned.

Damien Owens, director general of Engineers Ireland, the representative body for Irish engineering professionals, said the government urgently needs to overhaul its data centre policies so that it aligns with investment in renewable energy.

“The current pause in data centre development, due to ...