DATA CENTRES

JOHN BOOTH CHAIR OF THE DATA CENTRE ALLIANCE , MANAGING DIRECTOR , CARBON3IT LTD

In order to ensure that they achieve their emissions targets , an increasing number of European countries and regions have introduced restrictions – or outright bans – on new data centre builds .

At the start of 2022 , the Dutch government imposed limitations upon new hyperscale builds , and even enforced a temporary outright ban on new hyperscale projects for nine months .

" Our space is limited , so we have to make the right choices ," outlined the Planning Minister Hugo De Jonge , in a letter to the House of Representatives .

" Hyperscale data centres take up a lot of space and consume a disproportionate amount of available renewable energy . That is why the cabinet wants to prevent hyperscale data centres being built throughout the Netherlands ."

As a result , hyperscale data centres – larger than 10 hectares and with a consumption of 70MW or higher – have been hugely restricted in the Netherlands .

In fact , as far back as 2019 , Amsterdam has been imposing temporary bans and new environmental legislations on companies seeking to build new data centres there .

Likewise , in Ireland , data centre building has been a recent highly contentious topic .

In response to a series of alarming reports , which revealed that data centres were set to consume 70 % of Ireland ’ s power by 2030 , the Irish government introduced a new data centre policy , designed to put data centre plans under much closer scrutiny .

The agreed principles within the government statement include ‘ preferences ’ for data centres that ‘ make efficient use of our electricity grid ’, utilise renewable energy sources , and have decarbonisation integrated into their design .

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