"You cannot have an AI strategy without an energy strategy. We must face a hard reality: our digital ambitions are bound by our grid capacity."
"You cannot have an AI strategy without an energy strategy. As Ireland takes over the EU Presidencyand convenes discussions on Europe’s digital future, we must face a hard reality: our digital ambitions are bound by our grid capacity.
“Ireland’s EU Presidency is a chance to strengthen Europe's energy security and resilience in line with the Presidency's wider competitiveness agenda. This depends on reducing exposure to volatile fossil-fuel imports and accelerating the deployment of home-grown renewable electricity, modern grids and flexible energy systems. Electrification offers the fastest route to more secure, affordable energy. The opportunity is significant: if Europe can combine the Grids Package, Electrification Action Plan and AI agenda with smarter regulation and faster permitting, it can unlock a new wave of productivity, competitiveness and industrial investment across the Single Market.
“Nowhere highlights the urgency more than Ireland’s grid. With data centre growth accelerating - forecast to represent around 31% of national electricity demand by 2030 - Ireland is on the frontline of the infrastructure challenge. As Ireland convenes discussions on Europe's digital and AI future, including an AI Summit and efforts to strengthen cloud and AI infrastructure, the focus is clear. Europe needs data centres and digital infrastructure that are energy-efficient, grid-enabled and designed to support system flexibility from day one.
“Delivering this will require close collaboration between policymakers, regulators and industry - alongside investment in grids, manufacturing, digitalisation and services. Ireland has a chance not only to chair the debate but to demonstrate how clean energy, digital infrastructure and industrial innovation can work together to attract investment, create high-value jobs and strengthen regional economic growth across Europe.”