Dublin says no to new Google data centre

 By the CogX R&I team

September 06, 2024 

The South Dublin County Council has slammed the brakes on the tech giant's plans for a new data centre, citing grave concerns over energy consumption and a glaring lack of on-site renewable power. This unexpected decision has not only thrown a wrench into the tech giant’s expansion but also spotlighted mounting pressure on Ireland's already strained electricity grid.

Pawel Czerwinski/Unsplash

A growing tension:  Data centres have been rapidly consuming an ever-larger slice of Ireland's electricity pie, jumping from 5% in 2015 to a whopping 21% last year. If that wasn’t enough to raise eyebrows, projections show that number could hit 27% by 2028, raising alarm bells for both environmentalists and policymakers alike.

Google now faces a critical juncture. With a month to appeal the decision, the company must weigh its options carefully. This setback could prompt a rethink of its data centre strategy, potentially accelerating investments in on-site renewable energy and more energy-efficient designs.

Big tech’s energy footprint under scrutiny: As the demand for AI and cloud services skyrockets, tech firms are facing increased scrutiny over their environmental impact. Google, which has committed to net-zero emissions by 2030, is already grappling with the rising energy demands of its AI systems, and this latest setback could prompt a shift in how it powers its data centres moving forward.

 Now read the rest of the CogX Newsletter

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Chart of the Week

Source: IEA

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