Appendix

Detailed datasets that sit behind the main pages, kept here so each page tells one story. Not in the menu; the sections that use them link here.

How many data centres are there?

The most-searched question, and every source gives a different answer. Here's ours, and why the others differ.Our classification

The short answer: about 55 operating data-centre campuses, out of 79 known sites at any stage. Other counts (82 to 149) differ because they count individual buildings, small server rooms or planned sites, not campuses.

Source	Count	What it counts	As of
This site: campuses	79	Sites joined across six sources, any status	2026-10-10
This site: operating campuses	55	Campuses with evidence of operation (EPA, valuation, completion certificates, OSM)	2026-10-10
OpenStreetMap buildings	93	Mapped buildings and sites, not campuses	2026-10-10
Valuation list properties	66	Rateable properties coded 'data centre' (Cork not included)	2026-10-03
EPA generator licences	29	Sites with ≥50 MWth of on-site plant, any status	2026-10-03
Planning applications	156	Applications mentioning a data centre since 2007, incl. amendments	2026-10-10
datacentermap.com	129	Facilities listed (buildings, incl. small colocation and telecom halls)	Oct 2026
Baxtel	149	Facilities incl. planned, with codenames	Oct 2026
datacenters.com	82	Colocation provider listings	Oct 2026
Bitpower (Q4 2024)	92	64 large campuses-or-buildings + 19 small + 9 standalone	Q4 2024

Competitor counts as displayed on their sites on 3 Oct 2026, not verified.

Who's behind the companies

Planning and licences are filed by special-purpose companies. Here's which operator each one belongs to, with the evidence.

Applicant and licensee companies linked to an operator

33 high · 11 medium · 4 low

Companies that look like future projects

registered, no planning record yet

Why this matters. Data centres are applied for by special-purpose companies: "Runways Information Services" is Meta, "Tunis Properties" and "MIK Developments" are Amazon, "South Dublin Routing 4 No. 2" is Pure DC, "Crag Wicklow" is Echelon. Linking them shows who is really building where, and companies registered at an operator's office with no planning record yet hint at what's next.

Company	Behind it	Confidence	Evidence
Runways Information Services Limited CRO 553841	Meta	high	EPA: Licensee of P1192, the Clonee campus combustion licence CRO: Registered office 'Merrion Road, Dublin 4', the same as Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (CRO 462932)
South Dublin Routing 4 No. 2 Limited CRO 708358	Pure DC	high	EPA: Licensee of P1210 (address Orion Business Campus, Ballycoolin) BCMS: Commencement notices on FW18A/0114 at the same Orion site name 'Pure DUB01'
South Dublin Routing 4 Limited CRO 607568	Pure DC	high	press: Developer of the Orion Business Park (former Brian Daly Transport) site that Pure DC operates planning: Made a submission to the draft Fingal Development Plan as landowner at Orion
Crag Digital Limited	Echelon	high	EPA: Licensee of withdrawn P1066 at 3 Crag Avenue; the replacement licence P1113 at the same coordinates is held by Echelon Clondalkin DC Services Limited planning: Applicant on SD18A/0068, SD19A/0185, SD20A/0242, SD20A/0309; Echelon Clondalkin DC Services Ltd then amends SD20A/0309 (SD22A/0093, SD25A/0301W)
Echelon Clondalkin DC Services Limited CRO 706392	Echelon	high	EPA: Licensee of P1113, Crag Avenue (activity commenced) CRO: Registered office 1st Floor, Silverstone House, Sandyford, with Echelon DC Holdings Limited (CRO 668632) and Echelon DC Europe Limited (CRO 661101)
Crag Digital Avoca Limited CRO 622311	Echelon	high	EPA: Applicant for P1240 at Avoca River Park, Arklow planning: Applicant on Wicklow 18914, 18940, 201247, 201285, 211080, 2372, 23843, SI202102, 2560806 (Avoca River Park)
Crag Arklow Limited CRO 622312	Echelon	high	EPA: Licensee of withdrawn P1202 'Crag Arklow Energy Centre', Avoca River Park planning: Applicant on Wicklow 2560594 (ICT facility buildings east of Avoca River Park)
Crag Wicklow Limited CRO 657158	Echelon	high	planning: Applicant on Wicklow 201088 and 2488 (ICT facility buildings, Kish Business Park, Arklow); 2362 amends 201088 press: DCD describes Crag Wicklow Ltd as an Echelon affiliate and the Kish Business Park site as Echelon's DUB30
Data And Power Hub Services Limited CRO 656704	Data & Power Hub	high	EPA: Licensee of P1165, Milltown/Peamount CRO: Registered at Silverstone House, Sandyford, the Echelon group's office (77 companies share it, including an estate agency and residents' companies). A link to Echelon is possible but NOT established; kept as its own brand
Tunis Properties LLC	Amazon (AWS)	high	planning: Applicant on Meath 21663 (Drogheda IDA Business & Technology Park) BCMS: Commencement notice on 21663 names 'Amazon DUB072'
CAP Developments LLC	Amazon (AWS)	high	planning: Applicant on Meath LB191735 (first Drogheda data centre) BCMS: Commencement notices on LB191735 name 'DUB 062' (Amazon site code); EPA P1181 'ADSIL Drogheda' at the same site
MIK Developments LLC	Amazon (AWS)	high	planning: Applicant on FW19A/0087 (two data storage facilities, Cruiserath), FW20A/0164 and FW21A/0039 on the same landholding BCMS: Commencement notices on FW19A/0087 name 'DUB068/DUB078' (Amazon site codes)
UBC Properties LLC	Amazon (AWS)	high	planning: Applicant on SD20A/0121 (three data centres, Grange Castle South) BCMS: Commencement notices on SD20A/0121 name 'DUB069/079/089' (Amazon); NBCO notice title 'DUB 069 Amazon Datacentre'
Universal Developers LLC	Amazon (AWS)	high	press: Silicon Republic and the Irish Times: Universal Developers LLC applied for Amazon's Data Centres E, F and G on the AWS Cruiserath Road site; permission upheld on appeal Dec 2025 planning: Fingal publishes no applicant for the matching application; probably FW22A/0308 (Cruiserath, received Aug 2023) - unchecked
The Davy Platform ICAV (Liffey Sub-Fund)	—	high	planning: Applicant on Kildare 2360047 (Kildare Innovation Campus, Leixlip) EPA: EPA licence documents for Amazon's Leixlip application state Amazon Data Services Ireland Limited leases the site from the Liffey Sub-Fund

Public sources only: EPA licences, CRO register (company number, status, registered office; no officer data), Building Control notices, council planning pages and press. Each link carries its evidence.

Data centres hiding in the planning register

Many data-centre applications never use the words 'data centre'. A model trained on the ones that do found the ones that don't.

507,741

Planning applications scored

every application in the register

Data-centre applications the original keyword filter missed

61 confirmed · 8 likely · vs 131 the filter found; its new phrases have since widened the site's list

74%

Of the model's top 50 confirmed on reading

86% incl. likely

0.998

Cross-validated ROC AUC

text + location model

How data centres hide. Amazon files them as "electrical rooms for electronic operations". Others use "ICT facility", "data storage building" or "energy centre". EdgeConneX's Ballycoolin site began as a permitted "warehouse". The model learned this language with the obvious words removed, so it finds them anyway. The new phrases now feed the site's own filter.

Ref	Applicant	What it says	Verdict	Score
SD14A/0194 2014	Microsoft Operations Ireland Ltd.	Development consists of alterations and additions to previously approved development under Reg. Ref. SD13A/0265 to provide for: a reduction in the gross floor area of the permitted building from 35,000sq.m (with a data capacity of 32 MW) to 21,350sq.m (data capacity 17.6 MW). The altered building will include an administration area with office space of 2,225sq.m. As a result, permitted elevations will be altered and the number of flues reduced from 9 to 5. The finished floor level (of 71m OD and the height of flues (of 25m at 95.85m OD) to the permitted (altered) building will be developed as Microsoft; text gives 'data capacity' 32 MW -> 17.6 MW	confirmed	1.000
SD22A/0105 2022	EdgeConnex Ireland Limited	Amendments to the electrical substation compound and structures permitted under Reg. Ref. SD19A/0042 and ABP Ref. 305948-19 comprising of amendment to the layout and extent of the permitted substation compound, to include an extension of the compound area to c. 0.77 hectares; reorientation of the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation building to a northsouth orientation, and associated amendments to the building footprint, layout, and elevations, providing for a two storey building with a gross floor area (GFA) of c. 1,456 sq.m; alterations to the permitted single storey Client Control Bu EdgeConneX campus GIS substation	confirmed	0.999
SD19A/0342 2019	EdgeConneX Ireland Ltd.	Retention and continuance of the use for a further two years of the temporary gas powered generation plant which is located to the rear of the Takeda Ireland complex, is sited within a walled yard of 2,836sq.m containing 12 generator units with associated flues (each 15m high) which was permitted for a period of three years on the 10th January 2017 under Condition no.3 of permission granted under Reg. Ref. SD16A/0345; vehicular access to the generation plant will remain from the permitted service road into the EdgeConneX site and Grange Castle Business Park as originally permitted. EdgeConneX temporary gas generation plant (12 units)	confirmed	0.999
SD08A/0496 2008	Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited	Modifications to previously approved reg ref SD07A/0632 ; (a) lowering of office parapet from 81.125 OD to 80.125 OD; (b) change in configuration to the lift motor room to the office area; (c) raising the flues from 93.125 OD to 97.50 OD (Maximum agreed with Air Corp under previous application); (d) omission of two strip window to the south elevation of the office area; (e) reduction in the areas of stairs towers number 3,4,5,6 and 7; (f) addition of louvers to return walls of stair towers 3,4,5,6 and 7; (g) increase in area of the electrical rooms to level 2 by 1,916 sq.m; (h) reduction in th Microsoft; modifies SD07A/0632 (a directory data-centre ref)	confirmed	0.999
SD20A/0309/EP 2026	Crag Digital Limited	Provision of 4 new information and communications technology (ICT) Facility buildings and associated development at the subject site, superseding elements of the extant planning permissions on site (Reg. Ref.: SD18A/0068 and Reg, Ref.: SD19A/0185). The application site is subject to an EPA Industrial Emissions Licence (Ref. No,: P1113-01) relating to the Energy Centre permitted on site, The single storey Energy Centre, gas pressure reduction station, and 110kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation permitted under Reg, Ref.: SD18AI0068 and Reg. Ref.: SD19AI0185 will be constructed as previo Crag Digital (Echelon) 4 ICT facility buildings, extension of duration	confirmed	0.999
SD09A/0376 2009	Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited	Modifications to previously approved planning references numbered SD07A/0632 and SD08A/0496 to include the following:- In phase one to retain and complete:- (a) extension of the eastern generator room (ground floor) by 1m and movement of the of room by a distance of 1.45m to the northeast - this extension increases the area of the generator room by 103sq.m. (relocation of the external wall to the northeast by 2.45m); (b) additional louvers adjacent to stair core 6 (central stair core on the southwest facing elevation of the building); (c) the approved flues screening to the airway over the nor Microsoft; generator rooms, modifies SD07A/0632	confirmed	0.998
SD23A/0035 2023	Vantage Data Centers DUB11 Ltd	Amendment and modification of SD21A/0241 including the replacement of the permitted 2 sprinkler tanks and pump room with a two storey battery energy storage system (435.56sq.m) over a single level basement that will contain a sprinkler system, water tanks and pump room that will serve the overall permitted development as granted under Ref. SD21A/0241; A single additional car parking space will be provided adjacent to the new building that will be accessed via permitted access road from Falcon Avenue within Profile Park that was granted under Ref. SD21A/0241; 2 new transformers to be located to Vantage DUB11 battery storage building	confirmed	0.997
SD20A/0309 2021	Crag Digital Ltd.	Provision of 4 new information and communications technology (ICT) Facility buildings and associated development at the subject site, superseding elements of the extant planning permissions on site (Reg. Ref.: SD18A/0068 and Reg, Ref.: SD19A/0185). The application site is subject to an EPA Industrial Emissions Licence (Ref. No,: P1113-01) relating to the Energy Centre permitted on site, The single storey Energy Centre, gas pressure reduction station, and 110kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation permitted under Reg, Ref.: SD18AI0068 and Reg. Ref.: SD19AI0185 will be constructed as previo Crag Digital (Echelon) 4 ICT facility buildings	confirmed	0.996
SD23A/0291 2024	Vantage Data Centres DUB11 Ltd	The application site comprises an area of c. 0.15 hectares. The proposed development comprises an alteration to planning permission Reg. Ref. SD21A/0241, as amended by Reg Ref SD23A/0035. There is a separate application under consideration under Reg Ref SD23A/0203 for the provision of a temporary medium voltage substation on lands to the southeast of the application site. The proposed development (for which a temporary 3-year permission is sought) will comprise the following: Construction of a temporary power generation compound, comprising 24 no. generators (to be powered by hydrogenated vege Vantage DUB11 amendment	confirmed	0.994
SD16A/0176 2016	EdgeConnex Ireland Ltd	Enabling works to facilitate the future development of the site. Enabling works will include the demolition of the existing storage and outbuildings (3,118sqm) and other temporary buildings on the site; and it’s clearing as well as the diversion of existing services, including existing culvert, that traverse the site; and to level the site for future development. EdgeConneX enabling works	confirmed	0.990
SD14A/0232 2014	—	Construction of a new two storey c.11,700sq.m building for use as electrical rooms for electronic operations, mechanical plant rooms and support areas including a loading bay, offices and welfare facilities; mechanical plant at roof level is screened from view on all sides; a new 50sq.m electrical substation; a new plant array along the east site boundary including an electrical substation transformer compound; a 90sq.m electrical substation control room; a diesel fuel tank farm and loading bay; a 10sq.m fuel pump house; a sprinkler water tank; a 70sq.m water pump house; a humidifier water tan 'electrical rooms for electronic operations', 11,700 m2, fuel tank farm, next to Amazon (ADSIL) Greenhills complex	confirmed	0.988
23843 2023	—	proposed development. The proposed development includes an amendment to the development permitted under Reg. Ref. 21/1080, The proposed development will consist of the following to facilitate the above. Demolition of the existing structures on the western part of the site that comprises 4 no. industrial commercial buildings, an associated hut / outbuilding, a gas enclosure, and a tank with bund wall. The removal of the remains of a previously demolished building, areas of hard standing, and existing surface treatments. The relocation of the Energy Centre 1 to the western part of the site, whic Echelon Arklow (Avoca River Park) energy centre: 8 gas turbines; amends 21/1080	confirmed	0.986

Logistic regression on application text and distance to known campuses and substations, trained with the filter words removed. Verdicts read by hand from descriptions, applicants and linked references, not drawings.

PlanSight planning register (507,741 applications) · model and review 2026-10-03

Construction seen from space

Satellite images of each campus every summer since 2017: when the ground was broken and the roofs went on.

Campus	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
Microsoft Huntstown	10	12	36	25	18	36	28	28	23	65
Amazon (AWS) Grange Castle South	7	54	23	22	71	72	59	61	58	56
Vantage Profile Park	14	30	22	26	21	25	51	63	60	63
Amazon (AWS) Cruiserath	17	16	25	52	43	68	54	68	66	62
Data & Power Hub Peamount, Newcastle	1	36	14	26	13	31	20	40	24	38
Amazon (AWS) Drogheda	6	13	5	26	44	41	30	28	41	38
EdgeConneX Newcastle Road, Lucan	18	30	16	18	18	31	54	53	49	42
Google Grange Castle South	23	50	33	37	34	40	36	40	37	39
Echelon Crag Avenue, Clondalkin		50	63	65	59	67	62	65	61	61
Equinix Profile Park		53	45	44	41	44	52	57	54	58
SDC-EN Bracetown	11	13	12	14	13	19	16	17	15	16
eir Drogheda	32	47	35	40	36	42	33	35	37	37
Amazon (AWS) Blanchardstown	44	52	48	51	48	57	48	50	44	48
Microsoft Grange Castle		77	81	81	75	84	79	75	74	75
Amazon (AWS) Clonshaugh		77	69	72	69	80	69	75	70	75
Amazon (AWS) Belgard, Tallaght		80	78	80	74	81	77	77	74	77
Little Island, Cork (operator not identified) (1)	48	40	47	38	45	43	44	46	44	45
Echelon Arklow		42	41	40	33	36	28	21	30	37
Meta Clonee		67	43	57	39	42	35	37	34	35
Apple Athenry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Share of non-vegetated ground within 300 m of each campus, one clear summer Sentinel-2 scene per year. Jumps mark construction: Microsoft Huntstown 2026, Vantage Profile Park 2023, EdgeConneX Lucan 2023. Apple Athenry, never built, stays near zero. Indicative: a 300 m circle is not a whole campus.

Copernicus Sentinel-2 L2A via Element84 Earth Search (no account) · as of 2026-10-10

Where there is grid headroom

ESB's 38 kV map shows 2,142 MVA of indicative headroom outside Dublin versus 233 MVA in Dublin. Large campuses mostly connect to EirGrid's transmission grid, which this map does not show.

2,142 MVA

38 kV headroom outside Dublin, summed (upper bound)

97 transformer groups · Dublin 233 MVA

50%

Of Dublin's 38 kV transformer groups show none

8 of 16 · rest of Ireland 18%

13 of 62

Campuses with no ESB demand headroom at any station within 5 km

operating or being built · large campuses mostly connect to EirGrid's transmission grid, not shown here

657

HV transformer groups on ESB's map

at 548 locations · + 45,868 LV substations

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors · ESB Networks heatmap

headroomcapped by parentnone · size = demand MVA

Dublin vs the rest, demand headroom

Connect at	Dublin	Rest
38 kV (at 110 kV stations)	233 MVA 16 groups · 50% none	2,142 MVA 97 groups · 18% none
MV (10/20 kV)	365 MVA 104 groups · 58% none	1,230 MVA 434 groups · 46% none
110 kV (ESB 220/110 kV transformers)	606 MVA 6 groups · 33% none	—
LV substations	67% none 8,520 stns	55% none 37,348 stns

Dublin = the four Dublin councils. The 110 kV row is ESB's own 220/110 kV transformers, which exist only in Dublin; elsewhere 110 kV belongs to EirGrid's transmission system and is not on this map. Each row of ESB's file is a transformer group, so a station can appear more than once. Totals add groups that share a parent, so they are upper bounds.

Most demand headroom, 38 kV and 110 kV

Station	Council	MVA
Carrickmines 110 kV	Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown	348.6
Inchicore T2102/T2104 110 kV	Dublin City	113
Finglas T2103/T2104 110 kV	Fingal	87.1
Cherrywood 38 kV	Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown	70.4
Binbane T141/T142 38 kV	Donegal	66.6
Thornsberry 38 kV	Offaly	65.1
Poolbeg 110 kV	Dublin City	57.1
Dalton T141 38 kV	Mayo	56.5
Reamore T142 38 kV	Kerry	56.5
Lisheen 38 kV	Tipperary	56.4
Booltiagh T143 38 kV	Clare	56.4
Binbane T143 38 kV	Donegal	56.3
Cauteen T142 38 kV	Tipperary	56.2
Glenlara T141 38 kV	Cork County	56.1
Glenree 38 kV	Mayo	56

Outside Dublin, within 10 km of a 220/400 kV station

Station	MVA	To 220 kV+
Trien T143 38 kV · Kerry	55.8	4.3 km
Cordal 38 kV · Kerry	54.3	5.7 km
Arklow 38 kV · Wicklow	53.6	0.5 km

59 stations outside Dublin show 10 MVA or more at 38 kV; 14 of them (369 MVA) are within 10 km of a mapped 220/400 kV station (OpenStreetMap). No open fibre map exists, so fibre is not joined.

Around each data-centre campus (stations within 5 km)

Campus	Nearest station (any voltage)	Groups ≤5 km	MVA ≤5 km	Best within 5 km
Kilmainham (operator not identified)	● Kingsbridge (MV), 0.3 km · 4.6 MVA	44 (29 green)	385.7	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Long Mile Road (operator not identified)	● Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 0.7 km · 113 MVA	29 (15 green)	234.2	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Microsoft Huntstown	● Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 0.5 km · 87.1 MVA	14 (6 green)	172.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Digital Realty Park West	● Semperit (MV), 0.7 km · 0 MVA	21 (9 green)	165.9	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Blanchardstown	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Blanchardstown (operator not identified) (1)	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Blanchardstown (operator not identified) (2)	● College Park (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	12 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
DCF Technology Blanchardstown	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Digital Realty Blanchardstown	● College Park (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	12 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Equinix Blanchardstown	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.8 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Equinix Northwest Business Park	● Ballycoolin (MV), 1.2 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Gemini DC Fund Ballycoolin	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.5 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
K2 Strategic Ballycoolin	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.5 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Keppel Ballycoolin	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Pure DC Orion Business Campus	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.8 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
near Ballycoolin (operator not identified)	● Ballycoolin (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	158.6	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Cruiserath	● College Park (MV), 0.5 km · 0 MVA	10 (3 green)	150.7	Finglas T2103/T2104 (110 kV), 87.1 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Belgard, Tallaght	● Belgard (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	19 (7 green)	143.5	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Greenhills Road, Tallaght	● Tymon (MV), 0.9 km · 0 MVA	21 (7 green)	143.5	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Echelon Crag Avenue, Clondalkin	● Clondalkin (MV), 1.2 km · 0 MVA	22 (5 green)	138.1	Inchicore T2102/T2104 (110 kV), 113 MVA
Echelon Arklow	● Tinahask (MV), 2.2 km · 0 MVA	3 (2 green)	71.7	Arklow (38 kV), 53.6 MVA
Dundalk (operator not identified)	● Marshes T423 (MV), 0.1 km · 9 MVA	8 (8 green)	62.6	Dundalk (38 kV), 21 MVA
Galway (operator not identified)	● Headford Road (MV), 0.6 km · 0 MVA	7 (3 green)	59.4	Salthill (38 kV), 44.9 MVA
Meta Clonee	● Macetown (MV), 2 km · 0 MVA	4 (1 green)	41.3	Corduff (MV), 41.3 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Clonshaugh	● Clonshaugh (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Clonshaugh (operator not identified) (1)	● Coolock (MV), 0.8 km · 5.8 MVA	16 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Clonshaugh (operator not identified) (2)	● Clonshaugh (MV), 0.2 km · 0 MVA	13 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Digital Realty Clonshaugh	● Coolock (MV), 0.7 km · 5.8 MVA	14 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
EXA Infrastructure Dublin	● Coolock (MV), 0.8 km · 5.8 MVA	15 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
GTT (Hibernia) Clonshaugh	● Coolock (MV), 0.8 km · 5.8 MVA	15 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Verizon near Clonshaugh	● Clonshaugh (MV), 0.2 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Vodafone Clonshaugh	● Clonshaugh (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
eir near Clonshaugh	● Coolock (MV), 0.7 km · 5.8 MVA	15 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
near Clonshaugh (operator not identified)	● Clonshaugh (MV), 0.6 km · 0 MVA	17 (4 green)	23.6	Artane (MV), 13 MVA
Ericsson Athlone	● Garrycastle (MV), 0.7 km · 7.6 MVA	4 (2 green)	21.7	Garrycastle (MV), 7.6 MVA
National Technology Park, Limerick (operator not identified)	● Castletroy (MV), 0.9 km · 0 MVA	6 (2 green)	20.6	Singland (MV), 13.8 MVA
CIX Cork city	● Dennehys Cross (MV), 1.7 km · 0 MVA	10 (3 green)	18.1	Liberty Street (MV), 7.9 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
BT Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Digital Realty Profile Park	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.7 km · 0 MVA	12 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Equinix Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Equinix Profile Park	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.2 km · 0 MVA	12 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Google Grange Castle South	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.5 km · 0 MVA	12 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
K2 Strategic Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.6 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Keppel Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.3 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Vantage Profile Park	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.3 km · 0 MVA	12 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
eir Citywest	● Citywest (MV), 0.6 km · 0 MVA	14 (1 green)	13.9	Cookstown (MV), 13.9 MVA
Little Island, Cork (operator not identified) (1)	● Castleview (MV), 1 km · 6.8 MVA	3 (1 green)	6.8	Castleview (MV), 6.8 MVA
Siemens Shannon	● Drumline (38 kV), 1.3 km · 0.4 MVA	4 (1 green)	0.8	Drumline (38 kV), 0.4 MVA
Amazon (AWS) Drogheda	● Rathmullan (MV), 1.4 km · 0 MVA	5 (0 green)	0	none
Amazon (AWS) Grange Castle South	● Balgaddy (MV), 1 km · 0 MVA	8 (0 green)	0	none
Amazon (AWS) Leixlip	● Celbridge (MV), 2.5 km · 0 MVA	5 (0 green)	0	none
CyrusOne Grange Castle South	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.3 km · 0 MVA	9 (0 green)	0	none
Data & Power Hub Peamount, Newcastle	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.4 km · 0 MVA	7 (0 green)	0	none
Digital Realty Grange Castle	● Grange Castle T101/T102 (MV), 0.4 km · 0 MVA	10 (0 green)	0	none
EdgeConneX Newcastle Road, Lucan	● Grange Castle T101/T102 (MV), 0.5 km · 0 MVA	10 (0 green)	0	none
Government (OGCIO) Backweston, Celbridge	● Leixlip (MV), 2.4 km · 0 MVA	8 (0 green)	0	none
Grange Castle (operator not identified) (1)	● Balgaddy (MV), 1.2 km · 0 MVA	9 (0 green)	0	none
Grange Castle (operator not identified) (2)	● Balgaddy (MV), 0.7 km · 0 MVA	8 (0 green)	0	none
Microsoft Grange Castle	● Balgaddy (MV), 0.7 km · 0 MVA	10 (0 green)	0	none
National Space Centre Elfordstown, Midleton	● Midleton (MV), 2.3 km · 0 MVA	4 (0 green)	0	none
eir Drogheda	● Rathmullan (MV), 1 km · 0 MVA	5 (0 green)	0	none

The nearest station is usually a small MV substation (59 of 62 campuses), which says little about a large campus: those connect at 110 kV or above, mostly to EirGrid's transmission system. A red station next to a campus may also be full because of the campus itself. Headroom = ESB Networks' indicative spare transformer capacity at a substation for new demand ('Demand Available MVA'), or for generation ('Gen Available Firm MW'), without reinforcement. It is not a connection offer: it leaves out upstream circuits, the transmission system, other applicants ahead in the queue and the final MV connection. At 38 kV and MV the figure is the total over all transformers in the station; one connection can't exceed a single transformer. Red: no demand capacity available. Amber: some capacity, but capped by a constrained parent station. Green: capacity available, parent unconstrained. Bands are ESB's legend bins.

ESB Networks, network capacity heatmap, download labelled 2026-07, compiled 12/12/2025; Station capacity, as of Oct 2025. Base load information comes from Special Load Readings, 2024/2025 which include 2024 Summer Valley load used in the Generation capacity preparation. Demand calculation incorporates demand contracts and offers up to end Aug 2025 Generation calculations incorporates generation contracts and offers up to early Oct 2025. · Council boundaries Tailte Éireann (CC BY) · 220/400 kV stations OpenStreetMap (ODbL) · built 2026-10-10

Analysis: Where the grid has room: ESB capacity outside Dublin

The cables to Britain and France

Every Irish electricity interconnector, built and planned: size, owner, cost, EU money, dates, and how hard the existing ones are already working.

Figure 2

Ireland's electricity in 2025, from source to use

Gas made 40.2% of demand, wind 32.7% and net imports 16.4%; data centres used 22.1% of total demand (23.2% of metered electricity, the CSO's own measure).

The left side splits Ireland's 34.6 TWh of electricity demand in 2025 by where it came from: gas 13.9 TWh, wind 11.3 TWh, net imports 5.7 TWh, solar 1.1 TWh and smaller amounts of coal, oil, hydro and bioenergy. The right side shows data centres' metered use, 7.7 TWh (CSO), against everything else; as a share of Ember's demand, which includes network losses and unmetered use, that is 22.1%, a little below the CSO's share of metered electricity. Electricity is pooled on the grid, so no source can be traced to any one user; the two sides are set side by side, not matched. This is the Republic only, on Ember's annual basis; EirGrid's operational data used in the Imports section gives slightly different import totals and shares. Imports arrive through the two cables to Wales and the North–South line, and the cables run near their limit much of the time.

Sources: Ember yearly electricity data (CC BY 4.0), 2026-10-03 · CSO MEC02 data-centre metered electricity, 2026-07-07 · EirGrid Smart Grid Dashboard, interconnector flows, 2026-10-10

1,504 MW

Interconnection running today

Moyle, EWIC, Greenlink · all to Great Britain

6.7 TWh

Net imports into the island (Moyle, EWIC, Greenlink), 2025

435 GWh exported

86.5%

Of the time importing, 2026 to date

to 2026-10-09

20.1%

Of the time all three links import at ≥90% of limit

2026 to date

A one-way street to Britain. Every working link goes to Great Britain, and in 2026 they carried power into the island 86.5% of the time. The next links are late: Celtic to France has moved from 2026 to Q4 2028, and the second North-South line to October 2031.

Link	MW	Owner	Status · date	Cost · EU money
Moyle Northern Ireland (Islandmagee) - Scotland (Auchencrosh)	500	Mutual Energy (NI consumer-owned mutual)	operating 2002	not public / not checked
EWIC (East-West) Ireland (Portan, Meath) - Wales	500	EirGrid Interconnector DAC (state-owned)	operating 2012-10-01	EUR 570m (projected EUR 600m) EUR 110m EU grant; EUR 300m EIB loan
Greenlink Ireland (Great Island, Wexford) - Wales (Pembroke)	504	Greenlink Interconnector Ltd (private; Partners Group sold to Equitix and Baltic Cable, 2025)	operating 2025-01-29	~EUR 500m construction (press); Irish-share capex claimed at CRU review EUR 264.3m
Celtic Ireland (East Cork) - France (Brittany)	700	EirGrid and RTE (France)	under construction Q4 2028 (target)	EUR 1.623bn EUR 530.7m CEF grant (2019); EUR 800m loans led by EIB
MaresConnect Ireland (Maynooth area) - Wales (Bodelwyddan)	750	MaresConnect Ltd (Foresight Energy Infrastructure Partners + Etchea Energy)	development (CRU IPA cap-and-floor decision Sep 2026) 2029 (promoter, Nov 2025); CRU flags risk to original 2030 target	~EUR 860m private capital (promoter)
North-South (second 400 kV) Meath - Tyrone (400 kV overhead line)	900	EirGrid (ROI) / SONI (NI); ESB Networks builds the ROI section	consented; early construction, land access contested Oct 2031 (EirGrid, Jul 2026); AIRAA models from 2032	EUR 180m (ROI) + GBP 109.3m (NI), 2019 estimates

Net imports by month, GWh

2025-01366

2025-02313

2025-03624

2025-04496

2025-05675

2025-06647

2025-07512

2025-08634

2025-09598

2025-10594

2025-11610

2025-12610

2026-01593

2026-02462

2026-03556

2026-04514

2026-05622

2026-06470

2026-07703

2026-08810

2026-09603

How often each link imports near its limit, 2026

Greenlink55.2%

Moyle44.2%

EWIC30.1%

Share of 15-minute intervals importing at ≥90% of rating (EWIC and Greenlink 500 MW, Moyle 450 MW). The North-South tie-line is not in EirGrid's interconnector feed.

EirGrid Smart Grid Dashboard (15-min flows) · EirGrid · CRU · EIB · AIRAA 2026–2035 · promoters and press · quotes checked · as of 2026-10-10

What drives Ireland's wholesale premium

The detail behind Power's wholesale section: how often gas sets the price, the gap over Britain hour by hour, wind, and what gas costs to reach an Irish power station.

What drives the premium

81%

Of half-hours priced within gas plants' running-cost range (estimate)

range 75–87% · 2025-10-04 to 2026-10-09

€120

Of the €137 baseload is gas fuel and carbon (estimate)

fuel ~€92, carbon ~€27

€24

Average gap above GB, hour by hour

8,664 matched hours

€13

Lower price per 10 points more wind (association)

both GB links full: +€17

Mostly gas, made worse by still days and full cables. In about 81% of half-hours the Irish day-ahead price sat within the range of gas plants' running costs, so gas plant was most likely setting it and the price follows the gas price (an inference from price levels, not SEMO's marginal-unit data). From Jan–Sep 2025 to Jan–Sep 2026 the Irish price rose €27.8/MWh; gas and carbon alone would add about €25.7 to a typical gas plant's cost. The gap over GB is a different story: about 61% of it comes from the 25% of hours when both GB links were full or prices rose above any gas plant's cost. On the windiest third of days Ireland was only €6 above Germany; on the stillest third, €58.

Ireland minus GB, €/MWh, by type of hour

Hours	Share	Adds
Hours both GB links were full	22%	+11.4	measured
Hours priced above any gas plant's cost	3%	+3.4	measured
Other importing hours	59%	+10	measured
Exporting or idle hours	16%	−0.7	measured
Average gap		+24.2	measured

Exact split of the average hourly gap, not a cause. Ireland's gas transmission tariffs (checked, CRU) explain about €3.9 of it (estimate, weighted by how power stations book capacity; range €2.5–7.1), and about €8.1 of the €19 December–February gap.

Irish price by wind share of demand

Wind	Half-hours	€/MWh	vs gas cost	Both links full
0-10%	17%	187	+52	55%
10-20%	18%	163	+27	45%
20-30%	15%	143	+8	30%
30-40%	13%	130	−4	20%
40-50%	12%	116	−18	6%
50-60%	11%	105	−29	0%
60%+	14%	86	−36	0%

“vs gas cost” = price minus an assumed 49%-efficient CCGT's fuel, carbon and running cost that day.

What gas costs to get to an Irish power station

Checked tariffs: getting NBP gas to an Irish power station costs EUR 0.8-4.1/MWh of gas (commodity only to annual capacity at full use), and EUR 22-26/MWh on a January-February day bought day by day. GB plants pay the same GB exit charges, so the Irish extra is GNI's part. Irish power stations booked ~19% of their exit capacity as daily products and the rest annual (2020/21, CRU/21/14); SEM bid rules count only commodity and capacity bought for the day as marginal. Weighted that way, transport explains ~EUR 3.9 of the EUR 24/MWh IE-GB gap (range 2.5-7.1 for a 10-40% daily share; estimate). In December-February it is ~EUR 8.1 (range 4.8-16.0) of a EUR 19 winter gap.

Gas year	Commodity only	Annual capacity, full use	Day-ahead capacity, January	Day-ahead capacity, June
2024/25	€0.59 €1.2 elec.	€3.73 €7.6 elec.	€21.54 €44 elec.	€1.4 €2.9 elec.	checked
2025/26	€0.76 €1.6 elec.	€4.09 €8.3 elec.	€22.76 €46.4 elec.	€1.63 €3.3 elec.	checked
2026/27	€0.78 €1.6 elec.	€4.21 €8.6 elec.	€23.13 €47.2 elec.	€1.73 €3.5 elec.	checked

€ per MWh of gas over the GB hub price (GB exit at Moffat + GNI entry, exit and commodity tariffs; the Scotland pipeline, both subsea interconnectors and shrinkage are inside GNI's tariff). Second line: per MWh of electricity at 7.35 GJ of gas per MWh of electricity (estimate). GB plants pay the same GB exit charges, so only the GNI part is extra. Previous unchecked estimate of the gap explained: €1.7–8.7; now €2.5–7.1, central €3.9 (16% of the €24 gap).

How plants book decides what reaches the price. Irish power stations booked about 19% of their gas exit capacity day by day and the rest as annual capacity (gas year 2020/21, GNI's booking model in CRU/21/14, the latest public split; checked). The SEM's balancing-market bid rules (SEM-17-020) count only the commodity charge and capacity bought within the day as a marginal cost; annual capacity is sunk. We assume day-ahead prices reflect the same split (unchecked). Weighting the two, gas transport adds about €3.9/MWh to the Irish price over GB's across the year and €8.1 in December–February estimate, range €2.5–7.1 (winter €4.8–16) for a 10–40% daily share. That replaces the wider €0.9–18.4 bound. The CRU is now reviewing whether short-term exit products should continue at all.

€/MWh	Ireland	GB	Germany	France	GB gas	Carbon €/t	CCGT cost
2025 Jan-Sep	116	98	88	61	38	71	114
2026 Jan-Sep	144	120	108	81	49	78	141
Change	+28	+22	+20	+21	+11	+7	+27

How this is estimated. Each half-hour's SEMOpx ROI price is compared with that day's gas-plant cost range: cheapest CCGT (53% eff., + gas transport commodity charges only, VOM 2.0) to older CCGT (45%, + that day's daily-capacity transport cost or the annual average if higher, VOM 5.0) = 'ccgt'; up to a 30% open-cycle peaker = 'peaker'; +/-10% tolerance (range uses 5% and 20%). Below = wind, imports or other plant set the price; above = scarcity, start-up costs, bidding above short-run cost or administered pricing. Inference from price levels only, not from SEMO's actual marginal-unit data. Assumptions: 0.183 tCO2/MWh of gas (gross CV) - IPCC default 56.1 kg/GJ net, converted at GCV:NCV 1.108 (standard, unchecked here); 0.45-0.53 (mid 0.49), gross-CV basis - assumption; 0.3-0.36 (mid 0.33) - assumption; EUR 2.0-5.0/MWh_e - assumption; CHECKED tariffs (gas.transport): over the window, NBP-to-Irish-plant transport averaged EUR 0.76 (commodity only) / 4.08 (annual capacity, 100% load factor) / 9.41 (daily capacity) per MWh of gas; GNI part 0.52 / 3.5 / 8.82. Replaces the unchecked EUR 1-4 assumption (3 Oct 2026).; GB SAP (within-day system average price) stands in for NBP day-ahead; Irish gas is mostly imported from GB.; EU ETS primary auction clearing price on auction days, carried forward on other days.. Not in the day-ahead price and not modelled: Capacity payments: SEM capacity market costs are recovered through supplier charges, not the day-ahead price. Not modelled here. Constraint and balancing costs: imperfections charges and dispatch-balancing costs (paying plant to run out of merit for system stability) sit outside the day-ahead price. Not modelled; no clean public monthly series pulled yet. Network tariffs, PSO levy and supplier margin: outside the wholesale price (see Eurostat retail comparison). Carbon in GB: GB plants pay the UK ETS plus Carbon Price Support, not the EU ETS (unchecked here); the carbon gap between Irish and GB gas plants is not quantified. Germany and France: no peer marginal-fuel shares are estimated, so the premium over them is shown by Irish wind conditions, not split by fuel.

Gas: National Gas SAP via ONS (daily); TTF: World Bank Pink Sheet (monthly only) · Carbon: EEX EU ETS auctions · FX: ECB, Fed H.10 · Flows: EirGrid Smart Grid Dashboard · GB/DE/FR prices: Ember (CC-BY-4.0) · as of 2026-10-10

SEMOpx day-ahead results · Ember wholesale prices (CC-BY-4.0) · as of 2026-10-10

Analysis: Why Irish wholesale electricity is the dearest in Europe's big markets

The grid's operating limits, in full

Every EirGrid/SONI operating limit that matters for a large campus, when each changed, the MPID 345 decision and the distribution side, with quotes and sources.

Figure 1

The fix: ride through faults, or accept a cap, until about October 2028

From 27 Oct 2026 every transmission-connected data centre must stay on through grid faults. Most can't yet, so each gets a capped allowance of non-compliant demand until about 27 Oct 2028, and the 900 MW limit itself stays.

The CRU approved Grid Code modification MPID 345 on 22 Sep 2026; it takes effect on 27 Oct 2026 and applies to all current and future transmission-connected demand, data centre or not. A compliant site must stay connected through a fault, withstand frequency changes of ±1 Hz/s and recover 90% of its demand within 500 milliseconds. Existing data centres get a 24-month group derogation, with a compliance plan due within six months, and meanwhile each has a Demand Utilisation Threshold (DUT) capping its non-compliant demand. The caps are sized from the load-rejection limit, but EirGrid has not published the demand loss factor, the allowances or any site's DUT; distribution-connected sites wait for an ESB Networks code change that is not yet public.

EstimateCompliance-plan and derogation-end dates are our arithmetic from the effective date (+6 and +24 months).

Sources: CRU2026145, Grid Code Modification MPID 345 and Compliance and Derogation Framework: Decision Paper, 2026-09-22 · CRU2026145b, EirGrid MPID 345 Compliance and Derogation Framework (Sept 2026, as decided), 2026-09-22 · CRU2026145c, CRU letter of direction to the GCRP chair (also on eirgrid.ie as 'MPID345 CRU Approval, effective 27/10/2026'), 2026-09-22 · CRU202704, 2026-07-08

The operating limits, week 42 2026

Limit	Value	What it means for a 100–300 MW campus
Maximum total system load rejection in the weekly update since 2026-01-09	900 MW	The most demand (data centres and other large users) plus interconnector export the system can lose at once after a fault. EirGrid estimates up to 90% of data-centre demand could drop off in certain credible faults, so ~1,000 MW of data-centre demand fills it (the 5 recorded faults dropped 16-52%, all single-phase). Reached at the June 2026 peak; EirGrid now restricts interconnector exports and can instruct data centres to curtail. Every new non-ride-through MW competes for this headroom. MPID 345 (approved 22 Sep 2026) does not raise it: each data centre's Demand Utilisation Threshold is sized to keep non-compliant demand inside it, and EirGrid says the limit will be reviewed. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09
Largest single infeed (reserve reference incident)	504 MW	Reserves are sized to the biggest single loss of supply: for example EWIC (the DASSA paper's worked example) tripping while importing 504 MW (export limit 526 MW is the largest outfeed). Primary reserve must cover 75% of it. A data-centre campus is a demand, not an infeed, so it is not sized against this; its risk sits in the load-rejection limit above. EirGrid is replacing LSI/LSO with a 'reference incident' that adds consequential losses, which are mainly data centres lacking fault ride-through. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · EirGrid, FASS DASSA Volume Forecasting Methodology consultation, 2024-10
System non-synchronous penetration (SNSP)	75 %	Cap on wind, solar, batteries and HVDC imports as a share of demand. The planned trial at 80% was paused because of the data-centre fault ride-through risk. The TSOs say these measures can mean more wind curtailment and more thermal generation, so higher emissions. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU202705, EirGrid FRT update and assessment of alternatives, 2026-06-26
Rate of change of frequency (RoCoF)	1 Hz/s	How fast frequency may move after a big loss. MPID 345 (approved 22 Sep 2026, in the Grid Code from 27 Oct 2026) extends the ±1 Hz/s standard to transmission-connected demand facilities, so a new campus's equipment must stay on through it. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU2026145, Grid Code Modification MPID 345 and Compliance and Derogation Framework: Decision Paper, 2026-09-22
All-island inertia floor in the weekly update since 2026-05-08	28,000 MWs	Minimum spinning mass on the system, which slows frequency change after a loss. Raised from 23,000 to 28,000 MWs (interim) using two new synchronous condensers, as a mitigation for data-centre demand drops. Higher floor = more conventional or condenser plant kept running, at consumers' cost. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU202705, EirGrid FRT update and assessment of alternatives, 2026-06-26
Minimum large conventional units on load	7 units all-island	At least 7 large conventional units all-island (4 in Ireland, 2 in Northern Ireland) for dynamic stability, plus 1 to 3 large Dublin units for voltage and load-flow control depending on demand. A planned further reduction is on hold because of the fault ride-through issue. Dublin units are what keeps the city's 220 kV network stable around the data-centre cluster. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU202705, EirGrid FRT update and assessment of alternatives, 2026-06-26
System-wide battery charging cap	200 MW	Batteries are kept below 85% state of charge and 200 MW of charging so they can absorb power when data centres suddenly disconnect. Storage capacity is being held back as a shock absorber for data-centre behaviour. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU202705, EirGrid FRT update and assessment of alternatives, 2026-06-26
EWIC interconnector import / export	504 / 526 MW	Export on the interconnectors counts toward the same load-rejection limit (losing an export is like losing demand), so EirGrid counter-trades to cut exports, including of surplus wind, when data-centre demand is high. EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 2026, 2026-10-09 · CRU202705, EirGrid FRT update and assessment of alternatives, 2026-06-26

When the limits changed

Update	Limit	Change	What the update says
2024-04-10 wk 15 2024	Min large units, Ireland	5 units → 4 units	"There must be at least 4 machines on-load at all times in Ireland."
2025-03-18 wk 12 2025	Min large units, all-island	none → 7 units	"There must be at least 7 machines on-load at all times across Ireland and Northern Ireland."
2025-03-18 wk 12 2025	Min large units, Northern Ireland	3 units → 2 units	"There must be at least 2 machines on-load at all times in Northern Ireland."
2025-04-11 wk 15 2025	Min large units, all-island	7 units → none	Dropped. Previously: "There must be at least 7 machines on-load at all times across Ireland and Northern Ireland."
2025-04-11 wk 15 2025	Min large units, Northern Ireland	2 units → 3 units	"There must be at least 3 machines on-load at all times in Northern Ireland."
2025-08-08 wk 32 2025	Min large units, all-island	none → 7 units	"There must be at least 7 machines on-load at all times across Ireland and Northern Ireland."
2025-08-08 wk 32 2025	Min large units, Northern Ireland	3 units → 2 units	"There must be at least 2 machines on-load at all times in Northern Ireland."
2025-08-14 wk 33 2025	EWIC export cap (SO-SO trades)	none → 300 MW	"SO-SO trades to be performed to ensure EWIC exports do not exceed 300 MW, where necessary."
2025-08-15 wk 34 2025	Battery charging held to pre-agreed levels	none → in force	"No charging of battery ESPS units in excess of Pre-Agreed charging levels."
2025-08-15 wk 34 2025	Battery state-of-charge cap	none → 85%	"State of Charge of battery ESPS* units not to exceed 85% of storage capacity."
2025-09-10 wk 37 2025	Battery charging held to pre-agreed levels	in force → none	Dropped. Previously: "No charging of battery ESPS units in excess of Pre-Agreed charging levels."
2025-09-12 wk 38 2025	EWIC export cap (SO-SO trades)	300 MW → 200 MW	"SO-SO trades to be performed to ensure EWIC exports do not exceed 200 MW"
2026-01-02 wk 2 2026	Battery charging cap (system-wide)	none → 200 MW	"System wide Battery ESPS** charging not to exceed 200 MW"
2026-01-02 wk 2 2026	EWIC export cap (SO-SO trades)	200 MW → none	Dropped. Previously: "SO-SO trades to be performed to ensure EWIC exports do not exceed 200 MW, where necessary."
2026-01-02 wk 2 2026	Exports limited on EWIC, Greenlink and Moyle	none → in force	"SO-SO trades to be performed on EWIC, Greenlink, and Moyle to limit exports where necessary."
2026-01-09 wk 3 2026	Load rejection (max demand + export loss)	none → 900 MW	"Maximum Total System Load Rejection** (from Large Energy Users & Interconnector Exports) not to exceed 900 MW."
2026-05-08 wk 20 2026	Inertia floor	23,000 MWs → 28,000 MWs	"Ensures that all island Inertia does not fall below 28,000 MWs (interim)."
2026-09-25 wk 39 2026	Exports limited on EWIC, Greenlink and Moyle	in force → none	Dropped. Previously: "SO-SO trades to be performed on EWIC, Greenlink, and Moyle to limit exports where necessary."

Every weekly update from week 1 2024 to week 42 2026 (143 documents, highest revision of each), compared week to week. Only weeks where a tracked limit changed are shown. Unchanged throughout: Largest infeed (EWIC import limit) 504 MW; SNSP cap 75%; RoCoF limit 1 Hz/s; Min large units, Dublin 1 units. Not published separately: 2025-W01, 2025-W52, 2026-W01. The updates give no reasons for the changes. Week 39 2026 drops the standalone line limiting exports on EWIC, Greenlink and Moyle; the 900 MW load-rejection entry still says the threshold 'is likely to restrict exports on the interconnectors, with SO-SO trades used to manage this constraint'.

MPID 345 decision, 2026-09-22 (in force 2026-10-27)

What was decided	CRU approved Grid Code modification MPID 345 (fault ride-through, RoCoF and post-fault active power recovery for demand facilities) and endorsed EirGrid's Compliance and Derogation Framework with four changes. EirGrid is directed to amend the Grid Code; it takes effect five weeks after 22 Sep 2026. "This decision paper sets out the CRU's decision to approve Grid Code Modification MPID 345" (CRU2026145, p. 3 (printed iii)) · "the CRU's decision to endorse EirGrid's proposed Compliance and Derogation Framework, subject to some changes" (CRU2026145, p. 3 (printed iii))
Who it applies to	All current and future transmission-connected demand facilities, data centre or not. Not distribution-connected sites: ESB Networks intends a matching Distribution Code modification, and the DUT calculation reserves an allowance for distribution-connected data centres meanwhile. Non-data-centre sites get 5-year group derogations with no DUT. "MPID 345 introduces new technical requirements into the Grid Code for all current and future transmission-connected Demand Facilities" (CRU2026145, p. 3 (printed iii)) · "As MPID345 and this Framework applies only to transmission connected Demand Facilities" (CRU2026145B, p. 15)
Ride-through requirements	Stay connected and stable through faults within the voltage-against-time profile; withstand ±1 Hz/s RoCoF; recover active power to 90% of pre-fault within 500 ms of fault clearance and voltage back to 0.9 pu. Assessed at the point of connection, so on-site batteries can count. The CRU rejected requests for a longer recovery time for existing sites. "must remain connected and operate stably during and after any fault disturbance" (CRU2026145, p. 17 (printed 7)) · "extending the RoCoF standards of +/- 1 Hz/s to include Demand Facilities" (CRU2026145, p. 17 (printed 7))
Deadlines	Report non-compliance and apply for derogation before 27 Oct 2026. Data centres: compliance plan within 6 months of the effective date (so by about 27 Apr 2027, our arithmetic); group derogation runs 24 months from the effective date (to about 27 Oct 2028, our arithmetic); quarterly status reports. Non-data centres: plan within 12 months; 5-year derogation. EirGrid's first quarterly report to the CRU is due end December 2026. "report their non-compliance and submit a request for a derogation to the TSO before the effective date of the modification" (CRU2026145, p. 46 (printed 36)) · "the timeline for the submission of compliance plans will be extended to 6 months for both group and non-group process data centre derogation applications" (CRU2026145, p. 40 (printed 30))
Derogations	Group A (data centres connected before end-2026): streamlined, conditional 24-month derogation with a DUT. Group B (other demand): 5 years, no DUT. Non-group: standard Grid Code GC.9 route, slower, and EirGrid will still recommend a DUT for data centres. A site without a derogation by 27 Oct is non-compliant and at greater risk of demand control. Extensions need a new application and CRU approval. The proposed portfolio pooling of DUTs across one owner's sites was rejected. "A group compliance and derogation process for Data Centre Demand Facilities connected before the end of 2026" (CRU2026145B, p. 6) · "will include a recommendation that a DUT is applied to demand that is not MPID345-compliant" (CRU2026145B, p. 12)
Caps until compliance	Each transmission-connected data centre gets a Demand Utilisation Threshold: a monthly-average MW cap on its non-compliant demand, set at its highest 2025 monthly average plus a pro-rata share of any system headroom, measured on 30-minute metering data. Peaks up to DUT +10% are allowed; higher peaks need EirGrid's written approval. Compliant demand can use the full MIC. Breaches are a material breach of the connection agreement. EirGrid keeps real-time demand control, and its FRT Demand Curtailment Procedure stays (to be reviewed after implementation). "The DUT will set a limit on the monthly average non-compliant demand utilisation (in MW) at each Data Centre Demand Facility" (CRU2026145B, p. 7) · "historic demand utilisation levels (highest monthly-average 2025 demand), plus a pro-rata allocation of any remaining headroom" (CRU2026145B, p. 15)
The 900 MW limit	The decision does not change the 900 MW limit. It builds the DUTs on it: aggregate data-centre DUT = load-rejection limit ÷ demand loss factor (~1,000 MW of non-compliant demand), less allowances for distribution-connected data centres, peaks and 2026 new connections. EirGrid says the limit may be revised; the CRU wants modelling of whether inertia, reserves and reactive support move it. Operational measures stay until enough sites comply, and use of freed capacity is undecided. "EirGrid identified an upper limit of 1,000 MW for non-FRT compliant Demand Facility capacity" (CRU2026145, p. 45 (printed 35)) · "Aggregate Power System DUT = Load Rejection Limit ÷ Demand Loss Factor" (CRU2026145B, p. 17)

Distribution-connected data centres (ESB Networks): promised, not yet public

Distribution Code change	No Distribution Code modification on demand fault ride-through or RoCoF is public yet. The CRU says ESB Networks intends to propose one and has begun customer engagement, and wants it done promptly; no date is given. At EirGrid's Grid Code panel the DSO member said a MW threshold may be needed, or the DSO would be swamped with derogation applications. Nothing yet on requirements, threshold, timeline or who is covered. "intends to propose a related modification to the Distribution Code, to address the FRT risk at a distribution level and has commenced customer engagement" (CRU2026145, p. 44 (printed 34)) · "the CRU considers it important that the DSO progress the corresponding distribution code modification promptly" (CRU2026145, p. 44 (printed 34))
Today's Distribution Code	esbnetworks.ie still lists Distribution Code v8.0, approved 22 Feb 2023. In our search of it, fault ride-through and the 1 Hz/s RoCoF rule apply to generation, including Demand Side Units with on-site generation. We found no general ride-through requirement for demand facilities. The distribution system runs at up to 110 kV (MV 10/20 kV, HV 38 and 110 kV). "Re: Distribution Code Version 8.0" (DCODE_V8_LETTER, p. 1) · "Each Demand Side Unit with on-site generation, shall, as a minimum, have the following capabilities" (DCODE_V8, p. 96)
How much is on the distribution grid	No site list is public, only totals. EirGrid (Nov 2025): peak data-centre demand ~800 MW, of which ~150 MW is on the distribution system, plus ~300 MW contracted at 110 kV distribution level. EirGrid's May 2026 demand figure (~900 MW monthly average, not the 900 MW load-rejection limit) covers data centres at 110 kV and above, on transmission and distribution. Older totals: ESB Networks put distribution-connected data-centre MIC at 500 MVA (Jul 2021); CRU/21/124 gives 496.8 MVA connected in the Greater Dublin Region and 7 MVA outside it (Nov 2021). "approximately 650 MW connected on the transmission system and 150 MW on the distribution system" (FRT_INFO, p. 10) · "approximately a further 300 MW contracted at the 110 kV distribution level" (FRT_INFO, p. 10)
Allowance in the cap	The DUT cap is sized for the whole system. Load-rejection limit ÷ demand loss factor gives the most non-compliant data-centre demand the system can carry, on transmission and distribution. A distribution allowance, a peak margin and room for 2026 transmission connections come off that, and the rest is shared among transmission sites. EirGrid set the allowance after talking to ESB Networks about current and forecast distribution demand. Its size in MW is not published. Under Option 1 (SCADA) it was fixed; under the metering options it was 'adjusted'. The CRU chose metering data, so the adjusted version presumably applies (our inference). "allowance has been made for the impact of distribution connected Data Centres lying outside these arrangements" (CRU2026145B, p. 15) · "We have engaged with ESB Networks to understand the implications of the current and forecast data centre demand at distribution level" (CRU2026145B, p. 16)
ESB Networks connection terms	CRU/2025/236 applies to every data centre seeking a connection, transmission or distribution. ESB Networks has a small Flexible Demand Connections initiative: a higher MIC in return for cutting demand on instruction. In 2025 ESB Networks asked to keep the power to curtail data centres when their on-site generation is unavailable. It called Mandatory Demand Curtailment a critical tool. "ESB Networks can instruct the customer to reduce consumption up to the agreed amount" (CRU2025236, p. 83) · "should therefore retain an option to curtail the demand at the data centre in this scenario" (ESBN_CRU202504, p. 12)

Not public or not found (2026-10-03): Any Distribution Code modification proposal, draft legal text, MW threshold or timeline for demand fault ride-through or RoCoF on esbnetworks.ie, the DCRP pages or CRU consultations (checked 3 Oct 2026). Distribution Code Review Panel minutes after 10 May 2022. ESB Networks' 2026 engagement plan says the panel aims to meet quarterly, but no newer minutes were found online. Which data centres are distribution-connected, and their MIC or voltage (38 kV or 110 kV). Only aggregate totals are public. The MW size of the distribution allowance in the DUT calculation, and the aggregate power-system and transmission DUTs. Whether 38 kV-connected data centres count in EirGrid's data-centre demand figures (~900 MW monthly average, May 2026), which are stated for 110 kV and above. Whether EirGrid's FRT Demand Curtailment Procedure can be applied to distribution-connected data centres. The papers we read do not say. ESB Networks' own data-centre engagement and connection process under CRU/2025/236 (due 31 Mar 2026). Law-firm summaries say it was published and that sites under 20 MVA apply to ESB Networks. We did not find the primary document, so this is unchecked.

Decisions and proposals

2025-12-12	CRU CRU/2025/236	Large Energy User connection policy decision. Section 5.1.7 records EirGrid's concern that data centres' collective response to faults (disconnection and automatic reconnection) is exacerbating disturbances, and notes that new Grid Code fault ride-through standards are intended to apply to existing and new connections. It does not set a demand-loss limit itself. source
2026-05-20	EirGrid DCCOPP v3, s.2.5	New data centres must stay stable during disturbances and supply dynamic models, demand profiles and mitigation equipment; stability is assessed in the technical assessment. The Constrained Area Overview adds that AI data centres' oscillating demand could pose a stability risk, and that any new western capacity (150-300 MW) assumes the existing FRT issue is resolved. source
2026-04-01	EirGrid MPID 345	Grid Code modification for all transmission-connected demand: fault ride-through, ±1 Hz/s RoCoF robustness, and recovery of at least 90% of pre-fault demand within 500 ms of voltage recovering to 90%. Most existing sites can't comply at first, so a Compliance and Derogation Framework caps their non-compliant demand with a Demand Utilisation Threshold (DUT) per connection, data centres only (the CRU later rejected pooling DUTs across an owner's sites). source
2026-06-26	EirGrid CRU202705	Mitigations in force: interconnector export counter-trading, inertia floor 28,000 MWs, battery limits, SNSP held at 75%, wind/solar frequency response retuned, and an FRT demand-curtailment procedure. source
2026-07-08	CRU CRU202704	Request for further representations (closed 29 July 2026). Records the 900 MW limit, the June 2026 ~1,000 MW data-centre peak at which it was reached, TNEI's agreement with EirGrid's method, and three options for setting DUTs. Decided 22 Sep 2026 (next row). source
2026-09-22	CRU CRU2026145	Approves MPID 345 for all current and future transmission-connected demand facilities; Grid Code amended five weeks later (27 Oct 2026). Endorses EirGrid's Compliance and Derogation Framework with changes: data-centre compliance plans due within 6 months, non-data-centre group derogations 5 years, no portfolio pooling of DUTs, DUTs set and monitored on metering data. Existing data centres can take a 24-month derogation capped by a per-site DUT. The 900 MW limit is unchanged. source

Not public or not checked: Which campuses define the limit: EirGrid has not published site-level data-centre demand, DUT values or which connections are curtailed. Only the aggregate (~1,000 MW peak, June 2026) is public. Site-level DUTs: EirGrid has set one per transmission-connected data centre (2025 highest monthly average plus a pro-rata share of headroom) but has not published the values, the demand loss factor or the aggregate DUT. How many sites have applied for derogations, and compliance rates: EirGrid reports these to the CRU quarterly (first report due end December 2026); publication of those reports is not stated. Distribution-connected data centres: MPID 345 covers transmission connections only. ESB Networks intends a Distribution Code modification; none found published as of 3 Oct 2026 (unchecked beyond the CRU decision paper). When the operational measures (export limits, 75% SNSP, battery cap, inertia floor) will be eased: the CRU asked EirGrid for a roadmap timeframe within five weeks of 22 Sep 2026. Whether the FRT demand-curtailment procedure has been used, and how often: CRU202704 says it was issued to impacted users on 30 June 2026 and expected in use in July 2026; no usage data published. Whether the 900 MW figure changes once Celtic (700 MW) connects: the week-41 OCU does not list Celtic, and no public document checked gives a post-Celtic load-rejection or LSI figure (unchecked). Why the 900 MW limit appeared when it did: it is absent from every weekly OCU to week 2 2026 (published 2 Jan 2026) and present from week 3 (9 Jan 2026); no separate week-52 2025 or week-1 2026 update is listed. The OCU gives no reason. The Operating Security Standards (v3.0, Apr 2025) define the reference incident but give no MW figure; the 504 MW LSI comes from the EWIC operating limit and the DASSA paper's worked example.

EirGrid/SONI Weekly Operational Constraints Update, week 42 (2026-10-09) · CRU202704, CRU202705 · CRU2026145 (MPID 345 decision) and Framework · EirGrid MPID 345 · CRU/2025/236 · ESB Networks Distribution Code v8.0 · quotes checked · as of 2026-10-09

The state's renewables auction

RESS 5 is the latest state-backed auction. Projects with state support can't count toward a data centre's 80% (see "Who can supply the renewables"), so this shows the scale the state is buying, not supply open to data centres.

1,072 MW

Won in RESS 5

2025-10-15

1.5 TWh

Expected a year

deemed energy quantity

€98.79

Average price per MWh

solar €100.6 · wind €96.56

7.7 TWh

Data centres used, 2025

for scale

22 winning projects

Tincurry Solar Farm Lodgewood Solar Farm Limited109 MW

Kilcormac Solar Harmony Solar Offaly Limited105 MW

Ballyvalode Solar Harmony Solar Limerick Limited100 MW

Coolcarrigan Solar Coolcarrigan Solar Limited100 MW

Lyrenacarriga Wind Farm & Bess Curns Energy Limited81.6 MW

Mill Farm Solar Mill Farm Solar Project Limited63 MW

Reask Solar farm Kilbrew Eco Developments Limited55 MW

Toolestown Solar Toolestown Solar DAC50 MW

Friarstown Solar Farm Blue Pine Solar 09 Limited50 MW

Oweninny 3 Oweninny Wind Farm Power 3 DAC50 MW

Gortdrum Solar PV Ballin Solar Limited48 MW

Lysaghtstown Solar Farm Phase 2 Lysaghtstown Solar Farm 2 Limited45 MW

Ballymanus Wind Farm Ballymanus Windfarm LTD39.99 MW

Barnaleen Solar Phase 2 Seskin Solar Farm Limited35 MW

Knockroe Wind Farm Knockroe Windfarm Limited33.6 MW

Templemichael Solar plus Storage Clonswees Limited30 MW

Tullabeg Phase 3 Tullabeg Solar Farm 2 Limited30 MW

Clonymeath Solar Clonymeath Solar Limited15.8 MW

Carrigdangan Wind Farm Barna Wind Energy (B.W.E.) Limited13.65 MW

Ballymoney PV BNRG Ballymoney Limited7.6 MW

Coolboy Solar Farm Cooleasts Limited5.99 MW

Foxhall PV Foxhall Solar DAC3.99 MW

SolarOnshore wind

EirGrid RESS 5 final results

What's changed

Decisions and deadlines caught by our daily snapshots of public case pages and registers (history starts 3 Oct 2026).

When	What changed	Where
23/09/2026	Grant Permissions with Conditions on appeal 320852 Ten-year planning permission is sought for the expansion of existing Google Ireland Limited operations including the development of a data storage facility and all associated works. An Environmental I	South Dublin County Council
15/09/2026	Refuse Permission on appeal 322575 Construction of a data centre and all associated site works. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been submitted with the planning application.	Mayo County Council
due 2025-03-25	564 days overdue: appeal 321230 (Echelon Clondalkin DC Services Limited)	South Dublin County Council
due 2026-01-28	255 days overdue: appeal 323677 (Herbata Limited)	Kildare County Council

From daily snapshots of An Coimisiún Pleanála case pages, EPA licences (4,409 tracked), CRU and EirGrid publications. History starts 2026-10-10; every later change is logged.

Critical-infrastructure law

EU resilience rules, EU cyber rules and Ireland's new Critical Infrastructure Act: what each covers, who regulates it, and where data centres fit.

Oct 2024

EU resilience rules (CER) in Irish law

S.I. 559/2024 · data centres in scope

No bill

Irish law for EU cyber rules (NIS2)

referred to EU Court, 8 Jul 2026

Projects designated under the Critical Infrastructure Act

3 are grid projects · 22 Jul 2026

None

Public list of critical entities

CER deadline to identify them: 17 Jul 2026

Three laws, one word. "Critical infrastructure" in Ireland means three different things. EU resilience rules (CER) and EU cyber rules (NIS2) both name data-centre operators, with ComReg as their regulator. The cyber law that would make NIS2 work has not reached the Oireachtas, nearly two years late. The new Critical Infrastructure Act only speeds up State-funded projects. It can't cover a private data centre or a privately financed wind farm, but it now fast-tracks three EirGrid transmission projects, including the second North-South line.

Instrument	Status	Data centres	Public list
Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive (EU) 2022/2557 → S.I. No. 559/2024, European Union (Resilience of Critical Entities) Regulations 2024	Transposed in force 2024-10-17	In scope: 'providers of data centre services' (NIS2 Art. 6(31)) are listed under digital infrastructure, competent authority ComReg. But Regulation 3(1) switches off most CER obligations (risk assessments, resilience measures, incident notification, inspections) for digital-infrastructure critical entities identified under NIS2, leaving them to the cyber regime. A data centre's own grid supply is covered indirectly: EirGrid/ESB Networks fall under energy (CRU). S.I. No. 559/2024 European Union (Resilience of Critical Entities) Regulations 2024, 2024-10-17 · ComReg, About CER, 2026-10-03	No. Regulation 13 requires each competent authority to keep a list (name, address, liaison officer); nothing in the Regulations requires publishing it, and no list or count was found in public sources. The Minister must report the number per sector to the Commission (Reg. 7(8)), not publicly.
NIS2 (network and information security) Directive (EU) 2022/2555 → National Cyber Security Bill (General Scheme, 30 Aug 2024)	Not transposed: no cyber-security bill initiated in the Oireachtas	In scope: the General Scheme lists 'data centre service provider' (Art. 6(31)) under digital infrastructure, ComReg as competent authority. The General Scheme also proposes powers for the NCSC to deploy network sensors, 'in extremis' and temporarily, in telecommunications and data centre operations. General Scheme of the National Cyber Security Bill 2024, 2024-08-30 · Oireachtas Library, briefing paper on the National Cyber Security Bill 2024, 2025-06-12 · European Commission, referral of Ireland, Spain, France and the Netherlands to the CJEU (NIS2), 2026-07-08	No. The NIS2 deadline for the list of essential and important entities (17 Apr 2025) has passed with no Irish law to make one. A secondary report puts the expected scope at 4,500-6,000 organisations (unchecked).
Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 Act No. 16 of 2026; commenced by S.I. 347/2026	In force; 9 designation orders in force 2026-07-17	Not eligible. A 'project' must be funded by capital investment of the State or a public body, so a privately financed data centre cannot be designated. Grid reinforcement that data centres depend on can be: 3 of the 9 designations are EirGrid transmission projects. Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 (No. 16 of 2026), 2026-06-25 · S.I. No. 347/2026 Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 (Commencement) Order 2026, 2026-07-16 · Oireachtas Library, Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 digest, 2026-05-11	Yes: designation orders are statutory instruments. 9 so far, all made 2026-07-22.

Who regulates what

Sector	CER (in force)	NIS2 (proposed)
Energy	CRU	CRU
Digital infrastructure, incl. data centres	ComReg	ComReg
Water	EPA	CRU
Banking	Central Bank	Central Bank
Lead / single point of contact	Minister for Defence	NCSC

NIS2 authorities are from Head 17 of the 2024 General Scheme and are not law yet. Water moves from the EPA (CER) to the CRU (NIS2).

Designated critical infrastructure, 22 Jul 2026

Transport	MetroLink S.I. 387/2026
Transport	The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme S.I. 388/2026
Transport	The Galway City Ring Road project S.I. 389/2026
Water	The Water Supply Project for the Eastern – Midlands Region S.I. 390/2026
Water	The Greater Dublin Drainage project S.I. 391/2026
Water	The Limerick (Bunlicky) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Upgrade and Bioresource Centre S.I. 392/2026
Electricity grid	North South 400 kV Interconnector S.I. 393/2026
Electricity grid	Moneypoint 400 kV Series Capacitor, County Laois S.I. 394/2026
Electricity grid	Letterkenny 110 kV Redevelopment, County Donegal S.I. 395/2026

What it means

fact	Data centres are named in both EU regimes, under digital infrastructure, with ComReg as the competent authority, not the CRU.
fact	Under CER, digital-infrastructure critical entities are exempt from most CER duties where identified under Ireland's NIS2 law, which does not exist yet.
inference	So a data centre identified as a CER critical entity by July 2026 may sit in a gap: CER duties disapplied only once NIS2 identification happens, and no NIS2 law to do it. How ComReg handles this is not public (unchecked).
fact	The Critical Infrastructure Act can't designate a private data centre or a privately financed wind farm. Its first 9 designations include 3 grid projects: North South 400 kV Interconnector; Moneypoint 400 kV Series Capacitor, County Laois; Letterkenny 110 kV Redevelopment, County Donegal.
fact	No offshore wind project was designated (as of 3 Oct 2026). One could only qualify if it were State or public-body funded.
fact	Designated projects are exempt from the duty in s.15 of the Climate Action Act to act consistently with climate plans and targets, for their relevant functions.

Timeline

2022-12-14	CER	CER and NIS2 directives adopted
2024-08-30	NIS2	General Scheme of the National Cyber Security Bill published
2024-10-17	CER	S.I. 559/2024 (CER) comes into operation; NIS2 transposition deadline passes in Ireland
2024-11-28	NIS2	Commission letter of formal notice to Ireland on NIS2
2025-04-17	NIS2	NIS2: date by which the list of essential and important entities was due
2025-05-07	NIS2	Commission reasoned opinion to Ireland on NIS2
2026-01-17	CER	CER: national risk assessment due (15 months after commencement) (date worked out from the Regulations)
2026-04-08	CIA	Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 initiated in the Dáil
2026-06-25	CIA	Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 signed
2026-07-08	NIS2	Commission refers Ireland to the CJEU over NIS2, seeking a lump sum and daily penalties
2026-07-17	CER	CER: deadline to identify critical entities (21 months); Critical Infrastructure Act commences (date worked out from the Regulations)
2026-07-22	CIA	Government designates 9 critical infrastructure projects and programmes
2026-08-17	CER	CER: identified entities to have been notified (one month after identification) (date worked out from the Regulations)
2027-06-17	CER	CER: public administration critical entities must meet obligations
2030-07-17	CER	CER: critical entities lists to be reviewed; next report of numbers to the Commission

Not public or not checked: Whether competent authorities met the 17 Jul 2026 CER deadline to identify critical entities, and how many: no public count or statement found. Whether any data centre operator has been identified as a CER critical entity by ComReg. Whether the National Strategy on the Resilience of Critical Entities 2026-2029 has been published: a secondary source says it is planned for 2026; gov.ie could not be fetched to check. The National Cyber Security Bill timetable: a secondary source quotes the Minister for Justice expecting transposition by end-2026 (unchecked). Oireachtas bills checked 2026-10-10: no cyber-security bill initiated.

irishstatutebook.ie (S.I. 559/2024, 347/2026, 387–395/2026) · Oireachtas · General Scheme of the National Cyber Security Bill · European Commission · ComReg · quotes checked · as of 2026-10-10

The hardware arriving

Monthly customs data on servers, accelerator boards and network gear imported into Ireland, gross and net of re-exports.

€12.7bn

Servers, accelerator boards and network kit imported (gross), 2026 (Jan–Jul)

all of 2025: €12.2bn · net of exports: €1.4bn (same months 2025: €1.1bn)

In the EU for server imports from outside the EU

14.6% of the EU total · after the Netherlands

24.6%

Of EU imports of server parts and boards

from outside the EU

Gross imports surged; what stays is growing more slowly. While new data-hall construction slowed, gross imports of compute equipment in 2026 so far already exceed all of 2025. Much of that is re-exported: net of exports, 2026 so far is €1.4bn, against €1.1bn in the same months of 2025. Over the last 12 months net imports were €4.8bn. Customs counts goods crossing the border, not goods installed. We have not found anyone else publishing this series monthly for Ireland.

Compute equipment imported into Ireland (€bn)

20153.7

20163.4

20173.5

20184.5

20195.2

20204.6

20214.4

20225.5

20234.6

20247.4

202512.2

2026 (7 months)12.7

HS 847150, 847170, 847180, 847149, 847330, 851762: servers, storage, other computer units (incl. likely GPU baseboards), parts and boards, network equipment. Imports from all origins.

Eurostat Comext monthly trade (CC-BY) · updated 2026-09-15T11:00:00+0200 · latest month 2026-07

The money behind it

Ireland's biggest data-centre operators are US companies. This is what five US hyperscalers (Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Oracle) spend on buildings and equipment worldwide, from their SEC filings.

$379bn

Capex by the five, 2025

SEC filings

5.3×

Versus 2019

$586bn

Last 12 months

latest 10-Q / 10-K

Combined capex by year ($bn)

201971

202095

2021127

2022155

2023149

2024224

2025379

Last 12 months by company ($bn)

Amazon173

Alphabet132.4

Microsoft115.9

Meta89.3

Oracle75.7

Cash capex only (finance leases excluded, so true spend is higher). Amazon includes logistics. Fiscal years differ: Microsoft ends June, Oracle May.

https://www.sec.gov/edgar (XBRL company facts) · as of 2026-10-10

In the Dáil

How often TDs ask ministers about data centres, and who asks. For what they say, see Who says what on Money & politics.

518

Parliamentary questions on data centres since 2015

Oireachtas API

149

In 2026 so far

23.4 per 10,000 questions

Debate sections titled on data centres

Questions per year

20153

20160

201714

201819

201918

202014

202170

202242

202334

202438

2025117

2026149

The 2021 spike coincides with the CRU direction on data-centre connections; the 2025–26 rise with the new connection policy. Timing only, not cause.

Who asks most

Eoin Ó Broin · Sinn Féin60

Barry Ward · Fine Gael46

Pa Daly · Sinn Féin30

Paul Murphy · People Before Profit-Solidarity28

Jennifer Whitmore · Social Democrats25

Cormac Devlin · Fianna Fáil19

Bríd Smith · People Before Profit-Solidarity17

Denis Naughten · Independent15

Malcolm Byrne · Fianna Fáil15

Catherine Connolly · Independent14

Latest questions

2026-10-06	Pat Buckley	Data Centres
2026-10-01	Aidan Farrelly	Data Centres
2026-10-01	Aidan Farrelly	Energy Usage
2026-10-01	Rory Hearne	Data Centres
2026-10-01	Pa Daly	Energy Policy
2026-09-30	Réada Cronin	Data Centres

Oireachtas Open Data API · matched on "data centre" in question text and heading · as of 2026-10-10

What people ask

Real search suggestions and reader interest: the questions this page should answer, and for whom.

What people search, by theme

power & grid developers, energy companies, investors139

companies investors, developers, media/politicians69

jobs & skills public (job-seekers), training providers, contractors62

planning & locations developers, investors, public59

industry & market suppliers, developers, investors44

prices & bills public, media/politicians41

policy media/politicians, developers, investors38

environment & water public, media/politicians, investors (ESG)34

general / what-is public, media/politicians26

Count of distinct Google autocomplete suggestions (286 mention Ireland). Shows what is searched, not how often.

Wikipedia readers, last 12 months vs the 12 before

Data center+114%

Hyperscale computing+101%

Clonee+15%

Energy in Ireland+14%

Commission for Regulation of Utilities+1%

Celtic Interconnector+4%

EirGrid+19%

ESB Group+22%

Moneypoint power station+30%

Electricity sector in Ireland+31%

Intel Ireland+34%

Grey = falling. Global English readers, not just Ireland.