Ireland has 107 data centres, with many more already granted planning per mission. Their energy consumption accounts for an extraordinary 21 percent of Irish electricity use – more than that of all urban homes, and the highest proportion in the world. And these figures are set to rise. As long as the AI boom continues to line the pockets of tech billionaires, growing demand for data centres will prove an increasing strain on Ireland’s resources and infrastructure.
The ruling class are jubilant at the prospect of the cut they can make, and therefore quick to dismiss any criticism of the potentially catastrophic impact of massive and unchecked investment into an industry built significantly on speculation! During his Washington trip in March, Micheál Martin even took time out of rubbing shoulders with Trump to wag the finger at naysayers – stating that “We can’t declare a moratorium on AI. We’d be left behind if we do that.”
Well, the question must surely be put forward then; who are we?
As things stand, data centres pose an undeniable threat to the environment and the living standards of workers. They require massive amounts of energy to run. Already, worldwide they account for an estimated 2.5-3.7 percent of greenhouse gas emissions – more than aviation! – not to mention the impact that increased energy demands have on rising prices for all of us. Amidst their orgy of self congratulation at following the market like dogs, have Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and co. taken any of this into account?
The answer is, of course, no. In May, Electric Ireland announced they will increase residential electricity and gas prices by 8 and 7.7 percent respectively. With data centres guzzling ever more supplies of fossil fuel – and with the energy infra structure terribly outdated and already under severe strain – these rates are only set to rise. It’s estimated the average Irish household could pay a further €295 to €644 cumulatively from 2025 to 2034.
But in fact it is even worse than simple supply and demand. Households already pay twice the rate as data centres do for electricity. So although barred from enjoying the profits raked in by the owners of these centres, it is the workers of Ireland who foot their bill!
There is also the massive amounts of treated water necessary to maintain their cooling systems. We’re talking about trillions of litres globally – with a not insignificant percent of this being drawn from drinking water sources. This can only spell disaster for Ireland, when data centres built primarily around the Greater Dublin Area encounter the chronic and continued water supply capacity deficit.
This is the effect of technology developed under capitalism. The rich get richer, we get poorer, and all the while the planet is steadily destroyed. With data centres and AI we are experiencing the dire consequences of this process to such an accelerated degree due to its extremely rapid and unregulated development. This is why a planned socialist economy is the only way forward for workers. Marxists are not luddites shouting that every data centre must be smashed. But workers’ control over both the data centres and the companies which produce and distribute energy would allow for responsible planning and building. Then they would function to improve the lives of the masses, instead of existing as a tool of the capitalists to wring workers dry of every cent they can to nourish their insatiable thirst for profit.
