Constrained by Grid and Politics, Ireland Looks for a New Era of Data Center Growth

Despite its relatively small size, Ireland is a heavyweight among global data center hubs. But that advantaged position has been thrown into doubt amid political gridlock. 

In this episode of Cool Vector, four Irish data center veterans explain why Ireland's continued leadership in data infrastructure will require close cooperation between government and industry, as well as awareness among the general public that, despite energy challenges, data management is among the nation's most important growth industries. 

The fascinating conversation includes  Christopher Brown, Partner, Global Strategy Group KPMG in Ireland, Garry Connolly, Founder, Digital Infrastructure Ireland, Eugene Finn, Managing Director at CAPCON, and Gary Watson, Country Manager and Director, Keppel DC REIT in Ireland.

Among the topics discussed in this fascinating, and sometimes funny, conversation:

Ireland’s impressive legacy in data infrastructure is now under pressure. Ireland has spent 50 years building itself into a digital infrastructure powerhouse—but its success is now straining its outdated utilities and policymaking frameworks. “We arrived at 2025 with all the leading hyperscaler companies of today,” says Connolly. “We were built on data. The reason we fight is for the data. The centers are just the 'what.' The data is the 'why' for Ireland.”

Irish government gridlock risks undermining economic opportunity. While the global demand for Irish-based compute remains strong, a lack of long-term infrastructure planning is pushing projects—and capital—elsewhere, and the country's policymakers are too often focused on short-term electoral victories. “Sometimes you feel that things have fallen on deaf ears,” says Watson. “A lot of investment is being driven out of Ireland right now to where it's easier to do business.”

Irish digital infrastructure talent is everywhere in the world where there are data centers. Even if projects leave Ireland, Irish engineering, construction, and design expertise is now powering data center growth across Europe and beyond. “The Irish who have built Intel, built Digital Equipment Corporation, are not sitting around waiting for Ireland Inc. to get itself together," says Connolly. "And they're following these projects because they have the trust, they have the skills.”

Ireland's real constraint Is grid process, not clean energy supply. Ireland has ample renewable energy potential, but limited grid storage and planning capabilities are blocking growth; the challenge is no longer generation, but regulation. “More renewable power without storage capabilities doesn't necessarily solve the problem,” says Brown. “Ireland has arguably gone into the realm of scaling renewable generation ahead of the grid's ability to meaningfully store it longer than a few seconds.”

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