CIF targets data centre expansion following lifting of government moratorium

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is seeking to ramp up domestic data centre construction following the lifting of a government moratorium on these projects.

Speaking ahead of the CIF annual conference at Croke Park, CIF chief executive Andrew Brownlee stated that the federation wants data centre development to become a key area for the domestic construction industry. He highlighted that highly specialised Irish firms are already securing significant work in this sector across Europe.

The expansion comes amid ongoing public debate regarding the environmental and grid impacts of data centres, specifically their energy demand and the potential effect on household electricity bills. Despite these concerns, a government moratorium on new data centres was lifted at the start of this year. According to Mr Brownlee, while activity is starting to pick up, it remains early days for new projects transitioning into development.

The CIF annual conference, themed "Ready to deliver: Ireland’s decade of construction", is being attended by industry leaders, civil servants, and government representatives, including Housing Minister James Browne.