South Dublin Council Denies Google Data Centre Proposal

South Dublin County Council has denied planning permission for Google Ireland's new data centre at Grange Castle Business Park, citing inadequate electricity grid capacity and insufficient on-site renewable energy. The proposed data centre, which would have added 800 construction jobs and 50 operational jobs, was set to contribute approximately 224,250 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually without mitigation. Google warned that failing to build the facility would hinder its ability to meet growing ICT service demands. The council also expressed concerns regarding the project's engagement with Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and its connection to the district heating network. Despite a report indicating that the facility would be powered through an existing connection with EirGrid, the council found the details regarding its environmental impact and design lacking. This decision reflects increasing scrutiny over data centres in Ireland, which accounted for 21% of the state's electricity use last year, with projections indicating a rise to 27% by 2028.