Waterford residents are set to join thousands of people in Dublin this Saturday for Ireland’s first-ever national march against new data centre developments.
The demonstration, taking place on November 7th, is being organised by Friends of the Earth Ireland in association with community groups and forms part of a Europe-wide day of action.
The protest comes amid growing concerns about the impact of large-scale data centres on electricity demand, energy bills and the environment.
Friends of the Earth Ireland says data centres now account for 23% of all electricity used in Ireland, a figure it describes as unprecedented globally.
The proposed Echelon data centre development in Kilmeaden is among the local issues highlighted ahead of Saturday’s demonstration.
Planning permission for the development, proposed on the site of the former Kilmeaden cheese factory and adjoining lands, has been refused.
The plans included three data centres, a solar farm with more than 43,000 panels, an energy centre with 16 gas-powered turbines, as well as apartments, offices, a community centre, gym, supermarket and childcare facility.
Residents and farmers had raised concerns about air quality, electricity and water demand, land use and the potential for local employment.
Amanda Power from Kilmeaden says the community’s campaign is not over, despite the planning refusal.
She says the decision could still be appealed and is calling for a national moratorium on new data centre developments until proper regulations are introduced.
Friends of the Earth Ireland’s Data Centre Campaign lead, Rosi Leonard, says the expansion of data centres poses a threat to energy security, climate targets and the affordability of electricity.
The organisation is calling for a pause on new developments until questions around energy demand, infrastructure and the benefits to local communities are properly addressed.
Saturday’s demonstration will begin at 12 noon at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, with more than 85 groups from ten European countries expected to take part in the wider day of action.
