Power Grab - Ireland's energy story from electrification to Big Tech

Friends of the Earth are hosting a walking tour around parts of Dublin City with stops and speakers painting the story of Ireland’s Data Centre expansion and its implications for our energy, water, climate targets and cost of living.

Data centres soak up 21% of our electricity grid. This is more than all urban homes in Ireland - and predicted to grow to 30%. The EU average is 2%. Meanwhile energy prices in Ireland are one of the highest in Europe. 

The Irish Government has put private Big Tech companies ahead of public good. Data centre expansion is increasing energy bills for householders, causing energy demand to soar as well as increasing burning of fossil fuels - pumping out more and more emissions while everyone else does their fair share to lower theirs.

What is all the data for? Who is involved? What does this mean for water, resources and energy at home in Ireland and abroad? And how did Ireland become such a dumping ground for data?

Join us for a trail of discovery across town, examining the players, resources and how they are all connected to the risky growing expansion of power-guzzling data centres.

Starting : Fitzwilliam Street Lower (TBC)

Ending : York Road, Ringsend (near Tom Clarke Bridge fka East-Link Toll Bridge)

Places are limited, so book your spot today!