The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on electricity consumption by data centres have been described as alarming, but not surprising, by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said:
“The CSO has confirmed that data centres accounted for 23% of all metered electricity in 2025. This is a staggering increase from the 5% recorded just over a decade ago in 2015.
“Data centres now consume more electricity than all urban houses combined, which accounted for 22% of consumption last year.
“When taken with rural dwellings, Irish homes account for 27% of metered electricity demand. But at the current rate of growth, Eirgrid has predicted that data centre usage will soar to 30% by 2030.
“Irish households are paying a very high price for the State rolling out the red carpet to Big Tech.
“A recent analysis by Friends of the Earth Ireland and Beyond Fossil Fuels found that data centre growth increased wholesale electricity prices and added €715 million to household bills between 2015 and 2023.
“The report found that the average household paid an estimated €360 extra over that period as a result of data centre demand on the grid, which is already facing future capacity constraints.
“As data centre electricity demand continues to grow, it’s projected that the impact on consumer bills will grow too, with future household costs potentially reaching between €633 million and €1.43 billion between now and 2034.
“At the same time, one in seven homes are in arrears on their electricity bills, which continue to soar. Just last week, Electric Ireland hit its 1.1 million customers with an 8% increase.
“Ireland has the dubious distinction of having the highest household electricity prices in Europe, paying 40% more than the EU average.
“Across Europe, electricity demand is effectively flat. And per capita in Ireland, our electricity usage is falling – but it is growing when you factor in data centes.
“When it comes to data centres, Ireland is now viewed internationally as a cautionary tale rather than a model to follow.
“The latest CSO figures on electricity consumption provide further proof of the need for a moratorium on data centres until a full analysis of their impact on our energy supply, the environment and consumers’ bills is carried out by the Government.”
July 7, 2026