South Dublin City Council has rejected planning permission for Google to build a data centre in Dublin, citing concerns over power demands on the Irish power grid.

Google originally sought ten-year planning permission for the expansion of its existing operations at Grange Castle Business Park South, Dublin, including the development of a third, 72,400 sqm data centre.

The council’s decision also cited the lack of on-site renewable energy solutions in Google’s application, stating the rejection takes into account the “existing insufficient capacity in the electricity network (grid), the lack of significant on-site renewable energy to power (below 100%) the proposed development, the lack of clarity provided in relation to the applicant’s engagement with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in Ireland with regard the development in question rather than the site or wider arrangements in place, the lack of a connection to the surrounding district heating network, the proposed design of the development as well as how it relates to its surroundings, and lack of detail of how the proposal will impact power supply once operational (2027).”

Google has four weeks to appeal the decision.

The building of new data centres in Ireland has attracted increasing scrutiny over the last few years due to their substantial demands on the country’s electricity grid. Data centres currently account for a growing portion of Ireland’s electricity consumption, which has led to sustainability concerns, particularly in light of the country’s climate targets.

A de facto moratorium on new data centre developments in Dublin was introduced, largely driven by EirGrid’s warnings about grid capacity in the region. This moratorium has effectively halted new approvals, with no new centres expected to be authorised in Dublin until 2028.

The Irish government has not implemented a nationwide ban but has issued new guidelines to ensure that any future data centre developments align with Ireland’s energy and environmental policies. These guidelines emphasise the need for data centres to integrate renewable energy sources and contribute positively to the local grid and community