Energy

Varadkar says data centres would be cut off first to avoid potential blackouts

However, the Tánaiste also added that the chances of power cuts for households and businesses is ‘highly unlikely’

Ireland’s electricity supply is expected to come under pressure from the arrival of sub-zero temperatures. Picture: andybphoto

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has acknowledged that the risk of electricity blackouts for households and businesses this winter cannot be ruled out due to “very tight” supplies over the next two weeks.

However, he said the risk of such blackouts was “very low” because big electricity users such as data-centres will be cut off first.

He was speaking at Leader’s Questions in the Dáil after the Irish Times reported that Eirgrid came close to issuing an ...