CRU decision on data centres runs roughshod over climate obligations

CRU decision risks putting Ireland back in climate laggard territory notwithstanding renewable energy requirement - Friends of the Earth

Today the CRU produced their long awaited decision on a connection policy for Large Energy Users (namely data centres) [1]. The CRU’s decision notes that the new data centres will be required to source at least 80% of their annual electricity demand from additional renewable generation and demonstrate a plan to meet this within six years. It also contends that climate law does not result in any additional functions on the CRU in terms of requiring emissions reductions and therefore omits any such obligations from its decision.

Responding to the decision, Jerry Mac Evilly, Campaigns Director in Friends of the Earth stated:

“We have to be clear – this may be a good decision for data centres and renewables developers but it is not a good day for climate, or for households and communities dependent on expensive fossil fuels. This decision weakens the CRU’s standing and makes it hard to avoid the view that the decision is designed chiefly to accommodate further data centre growth.”

“We strongly reject the CRU’s suggestion that climate law does not give it the remit to enforce pollution limits. And even if one accepts the CRU’s narrow focus on its statutory functions, no reasonable reading of climate law permits it to ignore the need for immediate emissions reductions.”

“It’s also important to be clear that requiring data centres to ‘match’ at least 80% of their annual demand with new renewables does not guarantee actual reductions in emissions. This is merely an accounting exercise and data centres’ colossal energy demand inevitably means more use of fossil fuel power plants.” 

“Equally, renewables should be prioritised for public good, especially housing and transport, not for new data centre demand. This decision does nothing to prevent data centres from absorbing a significant share of limited renewables, which could also place upward pressure on household energy costs.”

“The six-year lead-in time also makes a mockery of Ireland’s carbon budget obligations and Climate Action Plan commitments to decarbonise existing demand. The reality of this decision is that this means data centres using polluting gas-fired plants.”

“The CRU itself acknowledges that approving new data centres could increase use of polluting gas, and require new gas pipelines, which raises the risk of stranding of gas infrastructure as this demand may electrify in the future.[2]”

Notes:

1. See https://www.cru.ie/publications/28573/ 
2. See page 92. See also the CRU’s recent decision on Vantage where new gas pipelines may be built in South Dublin where 32% of emissions are already coming from data centres, which raises dangers to local health etc