Dublin demonstration calls for national moratorium on data centre developments

Thousands of people protested in Dublin city centre demanding an immediate government moratorium on new data centre developments across Ireland.

The demonstration, organised by Friends of the Earth Ireland, began at Parnell Square as part of a wider day of action involving more than 85 groups across 10 countries. Organisers called on the government to halt further data centre development, citing concerns over electricity prices, national energy security, and climate targets.

Friends of the Earth Ireland campaign lead Rosi Leonard highlighted the strain placed on ordinary consumers by the ongoing expansion of data facilities. The group cited a report estimating that domestic households paid an additional €360 in electricity costs between 2015 and 2023 because of grid impacts associated with data centres.

The march took place against a backdrop of Central Statistics Office figures showing that wholesale electricity prices almost doubled over the preceding year. Campaigners warned that permitting further facility expansion risks placing additional upward pressure on domestic energy bills and increasing reliance on the grid.