ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 45 LEDInVdAuNstCryE News Balancing Growth and Sustainability in Ireland’s Data Hub Ireland has established itself as one of the world’s key locations for data centres—vast facilities that manage, store, and distribute enormous volumes of digital information. Positioned between North America and mainland Europe, the country benefits from a temperate climate that reduces cooling demands for such energyintensive operations. Combined with political and regulatory stability, as well as a competitive tax regime, these factors have made Ireland particularly attractive to leading global technology firms. Over the past decade, data centres have become a major driver of Ireland’s economy. They have drawn significant levels of foreign direct investment (FDI), supported thousands of jobs, and strengthened the country’s reputation as a digital hub. At present, there are more than 80 operational facilities, most clustered in and around Dublin. However, the industry is facing growing scrutiny. Critics point to its heavy reliance on electricity, pressure on the national grid, and the challenge of aligning growth with Ireland’s climate commitments. Official statistics show that since 2015, electricity demand from data centres has increased by more than 400%, now accounting for over one-fifth of the country’s total consumption. At the same time, the demand for data infrastructure continues to rise. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, the expansion of cloud-based services, and businesses’ dependence on digital tools mean that data centres are not only here to stay but are essential to global connectivity. The key challenge, therefore, lies in making them more sustainable. One possible approach would be to require data centre operators to contribute to grid development, in much the same way that residential projects must include affordable housing. Equally, innovation in infrastructure design—covering everything from cooling systems to lighting—will be critical in reducing the sector’s environmental footprint. When it comes to lighting, efficiency varies widely between products. While lower-cost imports may appear to serve the same purpose as established, high-quality luminaires, they often fall short in performance. Achieving strong energy efficiency without compromising on light quality, is not always straightforward. In environments where heat from servers and cooling equipment is already a major concern, robust construction is essential to ensure reliability and long service life. Products with appropriate IP ratings and protective coatings might be considered standard practice in certain demanding settings. Lighting control systems represent another clear opportunity for efficiency gains. By intelligently managing when and where lights are used, modern controls can reduce consumption by around 30%. Both wireless and wired (DALI) systems can provide advanced functionality, including realtime monitoring of emergency lighting and space utilisation. This eliminates the need for manual checks while ensuring that lighting is only used where necessary—helping to prevent situations where lights remain on continuously in unoccupied areas. For older facilities still fitted with fluorescent lighting, a full replacement may not be required. In many cases, existing housings can be upgraded with LED retrofit kits, either standard or custom-built, with minimal disruption. With the EU’s ban on fluorescent lamp production introduced in 2023 and remaining stock dwindling, the transition to LED is both timely and cost-effective. Paired with smart controls, such upgrades can significantly lower operating costs while supporting broader sustainability goals. Glamox, with its long history of successful retrofit projects, is well positioned to provide expert advice, guidance, and tailored lighting solutions for data centres. By George Payas, Glamox, Regional Marketing Manager (Western Europe).
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