The Social Democrats have been critical of Government’s approach to management of data centres. Photograph: Getty ImagesRapid growth in energy demand, driven primarily by data centres, could contribute to an “electricity shortage event” in the next two to five years, the energy regulator has said. It examined rapid growth in electricity demand above historic trends, which it deemed as “likely”. A CRU spokesman said if maximum demand forecast materialised, “it is plausible that there could be an electricity shortage event within the next two- to five-year period”. Social Democrats’ climate spokeswoman Jennifer Whitmore said the report was a warning of risks associated with the Government’s approach to the management of data centres.

Source: The Irish Times January 22, 2026 09:03 UTC