Council CEO says Waterford will get more data centres
"I know data centres aren’t the flavour of the month, but when you have a power source like this on your doorstep, you become attractive from that point of view," said Council CEO Sean McKeown.
Seán McKeown explained that the Tonn Nua offshore windfarm, “is a huge opportunity for the South East”.
He explained the site may be able to produce enough electricity (1 gigawatt) to power one million homes.
“That attracts interest from large multinational investors. I know data centres aren’t the flavour of the month, but when you have a power source like this on your doorstep, you become attractive from that point of view.”
He mentioned chip manufacturing and green hydrogen energy suppliers, “these all need large renewable energy sources, and we have that now on our doorstep.”
This comes at a time when "Kilmeaden says No" signs can be seen across the small village outside Waterford city where a planning application has been submitted for three data centres. Locals say this development will "ruin the natural beauty of the area" and make existing water supply issues even worse.
According to recent studies, data centres currently use 21% of electricity on the national meter, households use 18%.
Fine Gael Councillor Pat Nugent questioned the €450 million community fund, which, in his speech, Mr McKeown had stated would be hugely beneficial for Waterford.
Cllr Nugent said, “That’s really for three counties isn’t it? Waterford, Kilkenny and East Cork.”
He continued, “People are a bit sensitive, but data centres means jobs.”
Mr Keown replied: “The legislation at the moment provides that the successful bidder, in this case ESB and Orsted, has to put together a scheme. My issue is that the legislation is a little bit too loose for a fund of this scale – 450 million over 15 years is serious money and it should be more clearly aligned with the plans this elected group and body have agreed to.”
