Government Statement on Data Centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy (enterprise.gov.ie)

• Data centres are key to Ireland's digital economy, with 16 of top 20 software companies based in Ireland.
• The Government will reclassify large data centres as strategic infrastructure to streamline planning decisions.
• A plan-led approach aims to balance economic benefits with energy grid capacity and sustainability.

"The Irish Government has published a statement outlining a plan-led approach to data centre development, emphasising their strategic importance for the digital economy while acknowledging challenges such as high electricity consumption. The plan includes reclassifying large data centres as strategic infrastructure to streamline planning, promoting regional locations to minimise grid upgrades, and balancing economic benefits with energy costs. It highlights the role of data centres in job creation (direct and indirect) and attracting foreign investment, supported by policies like the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS)."