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Data centres in the context of Ireland's carbon budgets

This study was commissioned by Friends of the Earth Ireland and undertaken by Prof. Hannah Daly. It seeks to explore and analyse the evidence surrounding the impact that growing data centre energy demand is having on Ireland’s electricity and natural gas usage, greenhouse gas emissions and legally-binding carbon budgets.

Authors

Prof Hannah Daly

Year
2024
Publication Name
Friends of the Earth
Category
Report
Keywords
Energy Transition, Carbon Budgets, Data Centres, GHG Emissions, Ireland
Project

Data centres in the context of Ireland's carbon budgets

Full Citation

Daly, H. (2024). Data centres in the context of Ireland’s carbon budgets. [online] Available at: https://www.friendsoftheearth.ie/assets/files/pdf/data_centrres_and_the_carbon_budgets_-_prof_hannah_daly_dec_2024.pdf.

Link to Publication
/en/epmg/research/other/friendsoftheearth/

Abstract

This report explores the implications of rapidly increasing data centre electricity demand on 
Ireland’s carbon budgets and broader decarbonisation commitments. As of 2023, data centres 
accounted for 21% of Ireland’s electricity consumption, a figure projected to rise significantly by 
2030. This unprecedented growth is matching the deployment of renewable energy, contributing to a stagnation in Ireland’s progress toward reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meeting legally-binding carbon budgets.

Energy Policy and Modelling Group

Environmental Research Institute, Ellen Hutchins Building, University College Cork, Lee Road, Cork, Ireland T23 XE10 ,

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