Published in Northern Ireland

Irish Water must insist data centres use technology to reduce energy usage and preserve water supply, say politicians

Jul 22, 2021 | Posted by MadalineDunn

Irish Water is reportedly under pressure to insist existing data centers in Ireland should upgrade to more efficient cooling systems in an effort to reduce their environmental impact and draining effect on water and energy. 

According to reports, the cooling systems employed at data centers across the country can guzzle up to 500,000 litres of water each day. Labour's climate action spokesperson Ian Duncan Smith commented that Irish Water's recommendation that residents should reduce their water consumption seemed unjust when little is being done to implement water conservation schemes for data centers.

He said: "If the technology is there now to reduce their water demand, then they should be modernising. We're asking homeowners to retrofit, to spend large amounts of money in making their homes more sustainable. We should be asking the same of industry."

Irish Water stated: "We actively engage with all non-domestic large water users when we see spikes in the demand to see where savings can be made to ensure water supplies are maintained for all."

There are 10 data centers in Northern Ireland.

Site plan for GreenScale's Foyle Port Data Center in Northern Ireland
Posted in GreenScale: RRY10 Foyle Port Source: Atlantic Hub
Front Entrance
Posted in Prescient Coleraine |
Drone view of the data centre
Posted in Prescient Coleraine |
Location Total SqFt Gross SqFt Power (MW)
Prescient Coleraine 45,000 SqFt
NN
GreenScale: RRY10 Foyle Port 250,000 SqFt
GreenScale: RRY10 DC2 250,000 SqFt
GreenScale: RRY10 DC3 120,000 SqFt
GreenScale: RRY10 DC4 250,000 SqFt

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