ENERGY TRANSITION
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IRELAND COUNTRY PRESIDENT RHONDA DOYLE IDENTIFIES FOUR TRENDS SET TO ACCELERATE THE ENERGY TRANSITION AND IMPACT INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN 2026... Ireland’s energy transition
Ireland has a massive opportunity to accelerate electrification and cut carbon emissions, while also adding the data centre capacity and clean energy resources needed to take advantage of the AI boom. Here are the top four trends that will accelerate the energy transition and impact industrial growth in the coming year: Data centres to become new energy assets Ireland is renowned as a hub for data centres. But growth has slowed due to grid congestion, delays in planning permissions and concerns about how much power data centres use. Ireland isn’t alone. This set of circumstances poses risks to a fifth of planned capacity in major data centre hubs like Dublin, as well as Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Regardless, Europe expects to see rapid data centre growth with electricity demands, propelled by the AI boom, projected to more than double, exceeding 230 TWh by 2035. In Ireland, data centres are expected to consume 30% of national electricity by 2030, the highest share in the EU. Data centre providers in Ireland will emulate other large energy users by adopting smart grid solutions that will allow them to regulate usage, keep pace with demand and maintain low-carbon intensity. Adequacy-aware regulation will shape AI growth 2026 will usher in Ireland’s most rapid phase of digital infrastructure expansion to date, stimulated largely by the AI boom. But AI is already placing a heavy load on the grid, impacting Ireland’s energy demands. Disruption to electricity is a major risk. Ireland’s capacity to support the growth of AI is measured by ‘grid adequacy’, which determines whether AI-driven electricity demand can be integrated sustainably. Margins in Ireland frequently fall below the 15% stability threshold, raising energy concerns and risking supply
“Microgrid installations allow companies to generate, store, and manage renewable energy, which can bolster the national grid during demand peaks.”
Rhonda Doyle, Country President, Schneider Electric Ireland.
shortages for other sectors. The situation can be addressed by modernising the grid and accelerating the transition to renewables. Upgrades to the grid should also be supported by adequacy-aware regulations. Electrification and digitalisation will recharge Ireland All over Europe, grid operators are modernising networks to integrate renewables, manage demand and ensure stability. Ireland is gaining ground, with 41% of electricity being generated by renewable sources in November 2025, setting a record. Also, energy prices in Ireland remain among the highest in the EU due to a dependency on imported gas and oil. In 2026, energy providers will proactively manage energy usage with network management tools that prevent waste and cut costs. The adoption of smarter grid solutions will lead to a more efficient use of our current energy supplies
and the decarbonisation of aging infrastructure.
Homegrown electricity providers will add resilience With high energy costs placing a stranglehold on Ireland’s industries, many businesses are proactively managing energy to drive efficiencies – bolstering energy security, resilience and competitiveness. Microgrid installations allow companies to generate, store, and manage renewable energy, which can bolster the national grid during demand peaks. In 2026, we will see more of these independent power sources popping up across Ireland to create a decentralised network that will advance Ireland towards a fully digitised and interoperable smart grid.
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