More action needed to stop growth of data centres, says TD Smith

The Government should do more to stop further growth of data centres, says People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith.

PBP has tabled the Climate Emergency Measure Bill which proposes the further regulations of these centres.

“The rash of power-hungry data centres planned for Ireland would guarantee that the target of 51% reduction in Ireland’s emissions by 2030 would almost certainly be missed as Data centres consume such vast quantities of electricity that they undermine any serious attempt to cut our carbon emissions and are an environmental disaster,” she said.

“Studies have shown that data centres in Ireland could consume about 30% of all our energy output by 2030, putting our energy supply at great risk and predicted black-outs in the Winter months” according to the TD.

“Both Apple and Google claim to be environmentally conscious and sustainable.

“But this is just green washing.

“Their determination to stop this Bill shows that when push comes to shove, they have no hesitation in putting their vast profits before the interests of the planet.”

People before Profit are calling on the Climate Action Minister and leader of the Green party, Eamon Ryan to resist any lobbying attempts by Google and Apple to build opposition to the Bill.

“This issue goes to the heart of the problem facing the coalition government,” she said.

“How can they combine an emissions reduction strategy with their strategy of running Ireland as a tax-haven for multinational corporations?

“They will have to make stark choices and I am calling on Minister Ryan to act in support of the Bill and halt the proliferation of these plants in the country”.

Deputy Bríd Smith said she is writing to Minister Eamon Ryan and to the Chair of Climate Action Committee, Deputy Brian Leddin to request an urgent discussion on this issue of further planned Data Centres in the Autumn.

“We will need the mobilization of people power as soon as possible to support the PBP Bill and insist on the urgent need for real change if we have any hope of reaching our emission reduction targets”