Irish department denies influencing data centre study amid environmental concerns

Ireland's Department of Enterprise has refuted claims that it attempted to predetermine or direct the conclusions of a study examining the economic value of data centers to the state. The denial comes amid calls from environmental campaigners for a halt to new data center developments, citing concerns over their significant energy consumption and impact on climate targets and the national electricity grid.

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The department does not accept suggestions that the report was rewritten to support a predetermined policy position.

Records obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that government officials had requested modifications to a draft version of the report. These changes included alterations to how community concerns about high data and water usage were addressed. Notably, a section discussing "opportunity costs to data centre investment," which questioned whether infrastructure support could be more impactful if directed toward public services like transport or housing, was omitted from the final published version.

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Questions remain about whether infrastructure support and investment could be more impactful if directed toward public services like transport or housing.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth responded to the reporting on these changes by demanding an "immediate pause on new data centre developments." Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan echoed these sentiments, accusing the government of "doctoring" the report and advocating for a moratorium on new facilities until the electricity grid can accommodate them, while insisting future developments meet the highest sustainability standards.

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Environmental campaigners are concerned about data centres given their high energy usage and the impact on climate action targets and Ireland’s electricity grid.

The Department of Enterprise defended its actions, asserting that the report was commissioned specifically to analyze the economic contribution of data centers. It clarified that the study was not intended to duplicate work already undertaken by other agencies concerning energy demand, emissions, and sustainability. The department firmly rejected any suggestions that the report was rewritten to align with a predetermined policy stance.

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There should be a pause in data centre development in place until the electricity grid was capable of taking more of them and that any future facilities “need to be built at the highest sustainability standards”.