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Watchdog sets out data-centre proposals

The State’s energy regulator, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), has published proposals for a new policy on connecting data centres to the electricity grid.

Electricity demand from data centres, which are mainly used by technology companies, has grown from 5% of national electricity demand in 2015 to 21% in 2023.

The CRU says that its decision aims to provide a pathway for connections to the electricity system, having regard to the capacity of the system to supply energy and grid infrastructure.

The policy will apply to all data centres seeking to connect to the electricity network.

Supplying power

Such centres will be required to provide generation and/or storage capacity to match their demand capacity. According to the CRU policy, however, this generation and storage can now be onsite or sited near the data centre.

The CRU will also require data centres to participate in the electricity market by supplying power when needed, “supporting overall system adequacy”.

Data centres will have to report to the electricity-system operators annually on their use of renewable energy and emissions. The operators will publish this information in a summary format.

Constraints

Under the proposals, EirGrid and ESB Networks must consider whether the location of any requested data-centre connection is in a constrained or unconstrained region.

“System operators will now be required to regularly publish information and the mapping of capacity on the electricity network, identifying current and future constraints to provide accessible information for all stakeholders,” the regulator states.

The CRU is inviting comments from interested parties in its proposals by 4 April before a final decision is made.