Ireland mandates 80% renewable energy for large data centers

Ireland has implemented the Large Energy User Action Plan (LEAP), which mandates that data centers consuming more than 10 MW must generate at least 80% of their energy demand through new on-site renewable generation and storage. This policy follows the lifting of a moratorium on new data center developments in the Dublin metropolitan area.

To support this transition, the Irish government is investing 18.9 billion euros into the electrical grid through 2030, marking the largest investment in the country's history. Solar capacity is expected to grow significantly, with Solar Ireland projecting photovoltaic capacity to exceed 3.3 GW by the end of 2026.

Despite these measures, critics warn that the remaining 20% of energy requirements could still rely on fossil fuels, such as natural gas, to ensure constant availability. A KPMG report for the government acknowledges that dependence on fossil fuels may persist until long-duration storage and low-carbon firm technologies are more widely available.