Security Of Supply And Data Centre Connections

Executive Summary

• The Irish transmission system operator (EirGrid) has identified security of supply issues due to anticipated data centre electricity demand.
• In response, the Irish energy (the CRU) is proposing to direct the system operators (ie, EirGrid and ESB) to prioritise data centre applications based on a number of criteria (including proposed location, ability to provide onsite generation and ability to reduce demand on request from EirGrid).
• The purpose of these criteria is to reduce security of supply risk by ensuring that future data centres minimise their burden on the electricity system.

Detailed Summary

EirGrid Concerns

EirGrid wrote to the CRU on 27 May 2021 identifying its concern with respect to anticipated levels of data centre electricity demand. Specifically, EirGrid noted the significant recent growth of data centre connection applications and the possibility that data centre electricity demand could account for as much as 25%