Policy record, national
Ireland CRU Large Energy Users connection policy for data centres (CRU/2025236)
CRU decided on 12 December 2025 how new data centres may connect to the Irish electricity system. The policy applies only to data centres. Below 1 MVA maximum import capacity (MIC) only the location test applies. From 1 MVA to under 10 MVA a site must provide an autoproducer unit covering 100% of MIC on a de-rated basis that trades in the wholesale market. At 10 MVA and above a site must provide dispatchable onsite or nearby generation and/or storage matching MIC (de-rated), separately connected and metered and in the market, and cannot ramp to full MIC until that is delivered. All sites at or above 1 MVA must meet at least 80% of annual demand with additional renewable generation in Ireland, with a six year glide path from energisation. Projects already contracted under existing support schemes such as REFIT, RESS and ORESS do not count. System operators must judge constrained versus unconstrained locations case by case and publish capacity information.
Current status
Decision issued as a direction under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, superseding CRU/21/124 for new applications. Applications already in process before 12 December 2025 continue under CRU/21/124. System operator processes published 20 May 2026 (see ie-system-operator-data-centre-connection-processes-2026).
Who it applies to
All data centres seeking a new or additional electricity connection in Ireland. Thresholds by MIC: under 1 MVA, 1 to under 10 MVA, 10 MVA and above.
Exceptions: Below 1 MVA de-minimis only location assessment applies. Applications in process before publication remain under CRU/21/124. No new gas-connection rules in this decision.
What it means for cooling and power
Every new Irish data centre needs a generation or storage partner and a renewable-PPA pathway in addition to the building itself. This raises demand for gas engines or turbines, battery storage, grid-forming controls and market-participating onsite plant, and for the engineering of separately metered generation. The decision also cites system operator market intelligence of around 5.8 GW of potential additional data centre demand in the medium term, which is a signal, not a pipeline count.
Editorial: business implications, not legal advice.
History
- 20 May 2026: EirGrid DCCOPP v3 and ESB Networks LEU process published and effective
- 31 Mar 2026: Deadline set by CRU for system operators to publish engagement and connection process and initial locational capacity proposals
- 12 Dec 2025: Effective date
Related policy
Markets
Technologies
Lifecycle
- Proposed or announced12 Dec 2025
- Consultationdate not recorded
- Adopted12 Dec 2025
- In effect12 Dec 2025
Decision issued as a direction under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, superseding CRU/21/124 for new applications. Applications already in process before 12 December 2025 continue under CRU/21/124. System operator processes published 20 May 2026 (see ie-system-operator-data-centre-connection-processes-2026).
Sources (2), last checked 18 Oct 2026
- The CRU publishes its decision on new electricity connection policy for data centres (opens in a new tab), Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), published 12 Dec 2025, accessed 18 Oct 2026
- Large Energy Users Connection Policy decision paper (CRU/2025236) (opens in a new tab), Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), published 12 Dec 2025, accessed 18 Oct 2026
Last checked 18 Oct 2026 by CoolPower Index research (automated, sourced). Report a correction.
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