Irish datacentres have increased household bills by hundreds of euros, report finds

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Irish datacentres consumed 22% of Ireland's electricity last year, leading to a reported increase in household electricity bills by an average of €360 between 2015 and 2023. This energy demand has economic impacts and raises concerns about the replication of this pattern across Europe.

Growing fleet of datacentres last year used 22% of the country’s electricity Energy demand by datacentres in Ireland has added hundreds of euros to household electricity bills in a pattern that could be replicated across Europe, according to a new report. The centres have “drained” €715m (£620m) from the Irish economy and increased household bills by a cumulative average of €360 between 2015 and 2023, said the report commissioned by Friends of the Earth Ireland and Beyond Fossil Fuels. Continue reading...