Ireland Lifts Moratorium on Data Center Power Connections, Mandates Renewable Energy Use

Ireland has lifted its moratorium on connecting new data centers to the electricity grid in the Dublin area, providing clarity for the industry. Under new regulations by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, data centers must install on-site generation or battery systems to meet their full electricity demand and supply power back to the national grid when required.

This policy effectively reopens the connection process for firms that meet these requirements, which had been halted since 2021 due to rising electricity demand from the sector, raising concerns about potential blackouts. The updated rules stipulate that at least 80% of each facility's annual electricity demand must be sourced from new renewable-energy projects. Utilities are mandated to publish updates on their capacity for new connections, while operators need to report annually on renewable-energy usage and carbon emissions.