€1.5 billion data centre planned for Mayo been blocked
Summary
This episode discusses the overturning of planning permission for a €1.5 billion data centre in Mayo, a decision opposed by campaigner Rosie Leonard but criticized by Digital Infrastructure Ireland CEO Ronan Kelly. The debate centers on whether the facility failed to secure sufficient renewable energy contracts, with Leonard arguing that data centres are outpacing grid capacity and harming climate goals. Kelly counters that the sector supports thousands of jobs and that the real issue is grid connectivity, not total capacity. The hosts and guests explore the tension between Ireland’s digita…
Topics discussed
Intro: Mayo data centre planning permission overturned
Guest introductions: Ronan Kelly and Rosie Leonard
Ronan Kelly: Disappointment and LEAP policy context
Discussion on conditional planning and renewable contracts
Rosie Leonard: Friends of the Earth stance on emissions
Grid constraints and impact on local heating and housing
Wider context: Data centre growth vs climate targets
Debate on job creation vs electricity consumption
Dispute over employment figures and efficiency metrics
Data sovereignty, latency, and domestic infrastructure needs
Rosie Leonard: Sustainability concerns and UN cautionary tale
Local community impact and grid capacity limits
Ronan Kelly: Renewable waste and grid connectivity solutions
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