'Hidden datacentre tax' costing Irish households millions, report says
8 hours ago
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- Datacentres in Ireland consumed 22% of the country's electricity in 2023, more than all urban homes combined.
- A report estimates datacentres cost Irish households an average of €360 extra on electricity bills from 2015 to 2023, totaling €715m in economic drain.
- The report warns that unchecked datacentre expansion, especially with fossil gas dependency, could replicate high energy costs across Europe, exacerbating price spikes.
- Industry representatives argue datacentres boost the economy through investments, taxes, and strict renewable energy requirements (80% from additional capacity).
- Projections suggest Irish households could pay an additional €295 to €644 cumulatively from 2025 to 2034 due to datacentre growth, with national costs up to €1.43bn.