Sinn Féin Senator Lynn Boylan has this morning written to the Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action requesting he write to the Government of Singapore for information about its decision to place a moratorium on data centre development.

Senator Boylan, a member of the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, said:

“The government’s approach to data centres represents a light touch approach to demand-side management on energy. Meanwhile, the government of Singapore has enacted a moratorium on data centres, a bold form of demand-side management.

“On Tuesday, the Dáil will debate a motion on an agreement with Singapore to ‘enhance cooperation in the energy sector with a view to… achieving rational use of energy, notably by promoting demand-side management’.

“The committee has heard that trying to decarbonise electricity without challenging the rapid expansion of demand from data centres is hare-brained and like ‘trying to run down an up escalator,’ according to Prof Bary Mc Mullin.

“That’s why I have requested the Cathaoirleach write to the Government of Singapore as it would be particularly useful to hear from the Singapore authorities about the impact of the moratorium on energy and climate targets, on FDI and on business and consumer use of data services before the Oireachtas Committee finalises its report on data centres and energy security.”