Residents in a town fear for their health after its council approved a new data centre with a 120 megawatt fossil fuel gas plant.
EirGrid has already warned how data centres, which store your every click in the all-knowing “cloud”, could be using a third of Ireland’s electricity by 2030.
Despite calls for a moratorium on the monoliths dotted across the country, last month the government approved further data industry development in the guise of “strategic economic infrastructure”.
READ MORE: Irish pubs: The shocking tax rate for pints revealed as Ireland pays more than most EU countries
Hot on the heels of the new policy, Clare County Council was first to greenlight a new data centre and “energy centre” on a 60-hectare site on Tulla Road, Ennis, on August 8.
Lawyer and Ecojustice Ireland chair Declan Owens hit out and said: “It is shameful Clare is being treated as a sacrifice zone for the interests of big business and that this is facilitated by local and national politicians.”
He highlighted how the Irish Government signed and co-sponsored a UN Human Rights council “confirming the right to [a] safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment”. We are in a climate emergency and we don’t want to make it worse.” Speaking at a recent press conference highlighting concerns about Ennis data centre, New York public health expert Professor David Carpenter described the proposals as “environmental injustice”.
The Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany professor added: “We have to get away from building fossil fuels because that impacts not just the people that live near the power plant but the whole world.”
However, the move was welcomed by owner, Art Data Centres Ltd, which claims it will create 400 permanent jobs and support the county’s economy.
Plans for the site include a 4,674 sq m power station with 18 gas engines, 25-metre chimneys and 66 back-up diesel generators.
Locals are furious about the air pollution threat and have appealed against the project to An Bord Pleanala.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council said: “All planning matters including air quality have been considered as part of the Council’s planning process.”
An Bord Pleanala is considering a “proposed substation and associated electricity transmission line connections” for the gas plant.
READ NEXT:
- Love Island stars a month on - breakups, cheating accusations and the couple proving everyone wrong
- Hurricane Danielle takes 'unexpected turn' as Irish weather forecast predicts if it will hit us
- Charlie Bird thanks strangers who comforted him in Dunnes Stores after 'awful crying moment'
- Dublin-based work syndicate collects big EuroMillions prize and lists spending plans
- Family of six reveal how they have saved €115,000 and holiday for free
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
