• maol@awful.systems
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    4 months ago

    I live in Ireland and these companies keep trying to build data centres here even though they are using way too much of our energy as is :)) From an Irish environmental org:

    A few years ago when researching new gas power stations in Ireland, we noticed that many of these developments were being proposed alongside another type of infrastructure: data centres. […] As of June 2023, there are 82 operational data centres in Ireland, with another 14 under construction. Additionally, 40 data centres have had planning permission approved with another 12 awaiting a decision. […] Data centres account for 18% of all electricity use in Ireland […] This is putting unprecedented strain on the electricity grid, with grid operator Eirgrid estimating that data centres may account for up to 27% of Ireland’s electricity demand by 2028. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in Ireland has noted a risk of rolling electricity blackouts…

    • froztbyte@awful.systems
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      4 months ago

      ah yes, ireland, the land of just-close-enough to LIXP/TH(D|E)/etc but with different-enough property prices and power capabilities to make it very attractive to the discerning dc builder

      (there’s also some of the tax regs shit but aiui that isn’t as gaping a hole as it used to be)

      • maol@awful.systems
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        4 months ago

        We’re actually having a housing crisis at the moment (like everywhere else) so I dunno about property prices…I think it’s the extremely receptive attitude of the Irish government.

        • Match!!@pawb.social
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          4 months ago

          do you have a housing crisis or do you have a landlord crisis (like how the US has 16 million vacant homes)

          • maol@awful.systems
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            4 months ago

            landlord crisis and a vulture fund crisis. don’t get me started because I’ll be frothing at the mouth in seconds

    • Match!!@pawb.social
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      4 months ago

      I thought the Irish were always pretty good at kicking out colonialist efforts. Maybe just try the old reliable approach.

      • maol@awful.systems
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        4 months ago

        Our entire economy since the 80s has been reliant on neo-colonial relationships with multinational companies unfortunately

        • Match!!@pawb.social
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          4 months ago

          that is unfortunate because Ireland was my backup plan for if the US falls (half of my grandparents were citizens)

          • maol@awful.systems
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            4 months ago

            Yeah imo Ireland has never had a left-wing government, we tend towards right-populist/right centrist/neoliberal. “Stable but shit” is how I described it to my brother just this hour gone while discussing politics. We’re currently seeing the beginnings of an organized racist right as well