Ireland has replaced the moratorium with a new Large Energy Users (LEU) Connection Policy, enacted by the CRU in late 2025 to manage data center growth. Under this policy, developers of new data centers (over 10 MVA) must provide 100% on-site, flexible power generation to meet demand, while sourcing at least 80% of annual electricity from new, unsubsidized renewable projects within six years of operation.
The immense electricity consumption is not unique to Ireland; surveys indicate that global data center electricity consumption will grow by 26% this year . These concerns, as well as issues over water usage and noise pollution, have led to growing anti-data sentiment in the US, with 70% of Americans reportedly opposed to siting data centers nearby . Protests have led to the cancellation of over 75 data center projects in the U.S. in Q1 2026.
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Etiido Uko is a news contributor for Tom's Hardware covering the latest updates in big tech and the PC industry. He is a mechanical engineer and senior technical writer with over nine years of experience in documentation and reporting. He is deeply passionate about all things engineering and technology, and is an expert in gadgets, manufacturing, robotics, automotive, and aerospace. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-25/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Etiido Uko Social Links Navigation News Contributor Etiido Uko is a news contributor for Tom's Hardware covering the latest updates in big tech and the PC industry. He is a mechanical engineer and senior technical writer with over nine years of experience in documentation and reporting. He is deeply passionate about all things engineering and technology, and is an expert in gadgets, manufacturing, robotics, automotive, and aerospace.
Ahmiles1977 No End in sight,these machines will take over our natural resources & are unenvited predators into our neighborhoods …by Fat Cat Billionares who never asked for our approval. Not the behavor of a good steward or caring neighbor who is concerned with our common future or to trust their real intent… Not by any standard are they willing to pay to play …. in our future. Yes as it has proven to be more like a Bond Villan than a friend you can trust. No this must be a line in the sand, we are under attack by goons who sell us Snake Oil & to put our needs aside. Then force us to ignore their real intent to undermind our Republic of self Government…The Borg is at play. *************************** Reply
alrighty_then SCOTTY, WE NEED MORE POWER! It's the inevitable future, like the computer itself AI isn't going away. Everyone needs to up their power generation game. To China's credit they realized this a while ago and are full steam ahead (with coal plants that is). America is no slouch and is getting the nuclear plants up & running. Reply
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- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/data-centers/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/data-centers/irelands-data-centers-consumed-nearly-as-much-electricity-as-every-home-in-the-country-combined-in-2025-server-farms-gulped-23-percent-of-national-power-despite-years-of-grid-restrictions#main
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