Dáil Debate: Data Centre Network Charges Rose 175% as Grid Investment Reaches €18.9bn

Deputy Darragh O'Brien has defended Ireland's plan-led approach to data centres, confirming that network charges for the facilities rose 175% between 2020 and 2026.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Brian Stanley questioned the impact of data centre electricity demand on public network costs and householders. He noted that data centres consume nearly a quarter of Ireland's available power supply, with reports suggesting this figure could rise above one-third, placing an unfair financial burden on residential electricity customers through grid upgrade levies. Deputy Stanley also noted that water and electricity connection constraints are hampering the construction of 50,000 homes annually.

In response, Deputy O'Brien rejected the idea that all data centre connections are approved, stating that applications are processed in a plan-led way rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. He confirmed that the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) had increased network charges for data centres by 175% over the six-year period to 2026.

Deputy O'Brien highlighted the January 2026 publication of the Large Energy User Action Plan, which aligns energy-intensive investments with Ireland's housing, water, and green transition objectives. He pointed to a grid investment programme of up to €18.9 billion over the next five years, which will fund over 520 capital projects. This includes 29 transmission projects and 32 distribution substations, such as the Bracklone 110kV substation opened in Portlaoise, County Laois.