“That this Committee in light of the recent concerns in relation to energy prices recognises the unique strain that Data Centres put on our grid with Eirgrid, estimating 30% electricity consumption from these Centres by 2030, therefore calls for a moratorium on new Data Centres in this Council’s administrative area until a national policy is in place that can ensure our energy security is protected and that this Motion, if agreed, will be included on the agenda of the next Council Meeting as part of the Strategic Policy Committee report, for adoption by the Full Council.”

Response:  

At both national and regional level, policy and objectives set out in both the NPF and RSES promote and support communications networks and digital infrastructure at appropriate locations. Specifically, National Strategic Outcome 5.

‘Strong Economy Supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills’ of the National Planning Framework (NPF) aims to create places that can foster enterprise and innovation and attract investment and talent. Delivering this outcome will require the coordination of growth and place making with investment in world class infrastructure, including digital connectivity. NSO 5 sets out the importance of digital and data innovation and indicates a number of objectives to achieve this including: ‘Promotion of Ireland as a sustainable international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres and associated economic activities.’

The RSES indicates that the increasing use of digital technologies is impacting on every aspect of our lives and due to a fast moving and evolving infrastructure, the region will need to be able to respond and adapt to future communications networks and technology along with changing work practices and emerging economic models. RPO 8.25 on Communications Networks and Digital Infrastructure states: ‘Support the national objective to promote Ireland as a sustainable international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres and associated economic activities at appropriate locations.’ 

Due to continued support for Data Centres within Government policy, a moratorium on new data centres runs contrary to government policy at this time. Furthermore, recent comments from the IDA outline that data centres are an “integral part of the technology ecosystem”, and “the inability of technology companies to expand their data centre footprint is problematic in terms of continuing to attract investment and to continue to maintain the investment we have here.” 

FCC must align with national policy and must be consistent with the requirements of the NPF. As such, any decision in relation to a potential moratorium on data centres is one for central government.

As indicated above, national policy dictates how individual local authorities deal with such matters. It should however be noted that the overprovision of any one land use in a particular area is not appropriate and this will be managed through the development management process and any applications for a certain facilities/land use have regard to the number of such facilities already in operation in a particular area.

In relation to grid capacity, this is an issue for the operator of any such facility, which would need to go through a grid connection application process.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Mulville and seconded by Cllr Newman.

Report accepted