Energy regulator proposes rules for data centres to supply electricity to the national grid

Kenneth Fox

New data centres will have to supply electricity to homes and businesses under proposed new rules for the industry that regulators will publish on Tuesday.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is proposing the measure to ensure new data centres do not put pressure on existing electricity supplies.

Data centres currently use up around 21 per cent of energy which is forecast to reach 30 per cent by 2032.

As The Irish Times reports, both the storage and the generators must supply electricity to the market as well as support the data centre’s operations, according to a commission statement.

The rule will apply to all data centres seeking grid connections from now on, but not to those to which the system’s operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, have already pledged connections.

EirGrid and ESB Networks will have to consider whether or not electricity supplies are “constrained”, in any particular area where a data centre is applying for a connection.

Both organisations will have to publish information and maps detailing where there are current and future squeezes on electricity supplies.

Data centres can choose whatever type of electricity generators they favour, either renewable or fossil-fuel-fired.

However, they will have to report to EirGrid and ESB Networks on the amount of renewable energy they use and the greenhouse gas emissions that they produce.

The CRU is due to publish its proposed decision on New Electricity Connection for Data Centres on Tuesday.