Market profile
Ireland
Ireland has the highest data centre share of national electricity use among the focus countries. The CSO reports data centres used 23% of metered electricity in 2025 (7,663 GWh), up from 5% in 2015. After a de facto pause on new Dublin grid connections, the CRU adopted a new large energy user connection policy in 2025 requiring on-site or nearby dispatchable generation, and the system operators published the new connection processes in May 2026.
Overview
Almost all capacity is in the Dublin region. New projects must show matching dispatchable generation or storage and participate in the market, and planning authorities have refused several sites on grid grounds, some overturned on appeal.
Why it matters for cooling and power
Ireland shows what happens when data centre demand outpaces grid build: connection policy, not demand, sets the pipeline. Its rules are a template other grid-constrained markets watch.
Key metros and clusters
- Dublin: Greater Dublin area including Fingal and South Dublin county council areas.
Grid context
The CRU cites demand rising from 9.4 TWh in 2025 to 14.6 TWh in 2034 under EirGrid forecasts. New connections follow CRU/2025236 and the EirGrid and ESB Networks processes effective 20 May 2026.
Water, heat reuse, efficiency and planning
EU Energy Efficiency Directive reporting applies to sites of 500 kW IT or more. An Coimisiún Pleanála decides appeals, for example granting Google's Grange Castle extension in September 2026 with renewable fuel and PPA conditions.
Latest changes
- Market 28 Sept 2026 Google wins appeal for Grange Castle extension in Dublin: An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for a 72,400 sq m extension at Google's Grange Castle campus after the council refused it in 2024, with conditions on PPAs and renewable backup fuel. Related: Google, Google Grange Castle data centre extension (phase 3, Dublin). irishtimes.com (opens in a new tab)
- Market 21 Sept 2026 EU proposes data centre rating scheme and opens minimum standards consultation to 14 December: On 21 September 2026 the Commission adopted a delegated act for a common sustainability rating of data centres above 500 kW and opened a call for evidence on minimum performance standards, closing 14 December 2026. Related: EU minimum performance standards for data centres (call for evidence and public consultation), EU common rating scheme for data centres (Commission delegated act of 21 September 2026), EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364), Germany. ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)energy.ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
- Project 24 Jul 2026 Vantage DUB11 Profile Park campus (Clondalkin, Dublin)Filings show €151.7m impairment for delayed delivery Related: Vantage Data Centers, Vantage DUB11 Profile Park campus (Clondalkin, Dublin). irishtimes.com (opens in a new tab)
- Market 20 May 2026 Ireland's new data centre grid connection processes take effect: EirGrid and ESB Networks published connection processes implementing the CRU's 2025 large energy user policy, effective 20 May 2026. Applicants need on-site or nearby dispatchable generation or storage matching their demand. Related: Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236), Ireland: EirGrid DCCOPP v3 and ESB Networks LEU application process (implementing CRU/2025236). cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com (opens in a new tab)cms.eirgrid.ie (opens in a new tab)cru.ie (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 23 Apr 2026 EU common rating scheme for data centres (Commission delegated act of 21 September 2026)Call for feedback on draft rules closed (opened 26 March 2026) Related: EU common rating scheme for data centres (Commission delegated act of 21 September 2026). energy.ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 31 Mar 2026 Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236)Deadline set by CRU for system operators to publish engagement and connection process and initial locational capacity proposals Related: Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236). cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com (opens in a new tab)
- Project 20 Mar 2026 Equinix DB7x (Blanchardstown, Dublin)Construction started Related: Equinix, Equinix DB7x (Blanchardstown, Dublin). newsroom.equinix.com (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 12 Dec 2025 Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236)Announced or published Related: Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236). cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 15 May 2025 EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364)Second submission, then every 15 May Related: EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364). eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 15 Sept 2024 EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364)First submission deadline under Delegated Regulation 2024/1364 Article 3 Related: EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364). eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
- Policy 13 Sept 2023 EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364)Announced or published Related: EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364). eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
Tracked projects
| Project | Level | Stage | Operator or developer | Latest change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equinix DB7x (Blanchardstown, Dublin) | building | Under construction | Equinix | 20 Mar 2026: Construction started |
| Google Grange Castle data centre extension (phase 3, Dublin) | phase | Permitted | 28 Sept 2026: An Coimisiún Pleanála granted permission for a 72,400 sq m extension at Google's Grange Castle campus after the council refused it in 2024, with conditions on PPAs and renewable backup fuel. | |
| Vantage DUB11 Profile Park campus (Clondalkin, Dublin) | campus | Delayed | Vantage Data Centers | 24 Jul 2026: Filings show €151.7m impairment for delayed delivery |
Capacity in tracked public coverage
Tracked public coverage, not a national total. Sums of reported, project-level figures from 2 of the 3 published project records we track for Ireland. Each metric and each delivery class is summed on its own and never added to another. Confirmed operating capacity never includes design or ultimate capacity. Delayed projects are never counted as under construction now. Campus and phase figures are not double counted. Ranges and upper bounds are not summed. Unknown values are not counted as zero.
| Metric | Delivery class | Sum of tracked records | Contributing records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment | Reported project investment Project-level investment in one currency. Components of a total are not added again. Company-wide programmes are excluded. | USD 92 million |
|
| IT power | Delayed or on hold (current stage) Projects currently delayed or on hold, with the capacity they were reported to deliver. | 52 MW |
Figures not counted (5) and why
- Equinix DB7x (Blanchardstown, Dublin)
- Floor or land area 1,322 sq m: Area figures describe different things (site, floor or data hall area). Shown per record, never summed.
- Investment USD 78 million: Component of ie-equinix-db7x-blanchardstown--investment-total. The total is counted once, components are never added again.
- Investment USD 14 million: Component of ie-equinix-db7x-blanchardstown--investment-total. The total is counted once, components are never added again.
- Google Grange Castle data centre extension (phase 3, Dublin)
- Floor or land area 72,400 sq m: Area figures describe different things (site, floor or data hall area). Shown per record, never summed.
- Vantage DUB11 Profile Park campus (Clondalkin, Dublin)
- Investment EUR 972.2 million: Marked not summable by research: Accumulated cost to end 2025 before impairment, EUR millions. Project described as a €1 billion development.
Method: capacity rules. Company-wide investment, area figures and third-party market estimates are never included in these sums.
Cloud regions in Ireland
A cloud region is a provider's service area. It is not a data centre campus and has no MW figure here.
- AWS Europe (Ireland) eu-west-1, available
- Microsoft Azure North Europe northeurope, available
Policy timeline
- EU common rating scheme for data centres (Commission delegated act of 21 September 2026) Proposed
- EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364) In effect Effective 10 Oct 2023
- EU minimum performance standards for data centres (call for evidence and public consultation) Consultation open
- Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236) Phased implementation Effective 12 Dec 2025
- Ireland: EirGrid DCCOPP v3 and ESB Networks LEU application process (implementing CRU/2025236) In effect Effective 20 May 2026
Upcoming dates
- 14 Dec 2026: Public consultation and call for evidence closes (EU minimum performance standards for data centres (call for evidence and public consultation))
- 15 May 2027: Next annual reporting deadline (recurring every 15 May) (EU data centre energy-performance reporting (EED Article 12 and Delegated Regulation 2024/1364))
- 31 Dec 2028: First review of the scheme foreseen by end 2028 (EU common rating scheme for data centres (Commission delegated act of 21 September 2026))
Operators and developers
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Hyperscaler, Occupier
- Digital Realty Colocation owner, Colocation operator
- Equinix Colocation owner, Colocation operator
- Google Hyperscaler, Developer, Occupier
- Microsoft Hyperscaler, Developer, Occupier
- Vantage Data Centers Colocation owner, Colocation operator, Developer
Relevant technologies
Suppliers with evidence in Ireland
Listed because a public source shows activity, an office or delivery in Ireland. Not an endorsement or proof of any project contract.
Sources (4), last checked 18 Oct 2026
- Data Centres Metered Electricity Consumption 2025 (opens in a new tab), Central Statistics Office, published 2026, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Data Centres Metered Electricity Consumption 2024 (opens in a new tab), Central Statistics Office, published 10 Jun 2025, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- CRU publishes decision on new electricity connection policy for data centres (opens in a new tab), Commission for Regulation of Utilities, published 2025, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Data Centre Connection Offer Process and Policy V3 (opens in a new tab), EirGrid, published 2026-05, accessed 18 Oct 2026
Last checked 18 Oct 2026 by CoolPower Index research (automated, sourced). Report a correction.