COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, June 17, 2021
MOTION NO.
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Gogarty, Councillor L. O'Toole
In EDE7 Objective 2, after 'net zero carbon economy;' insert the following as an additional bullet point: Be powered by 100% renewable energy
REPORT:
EDE7 Objective 2:: is proposed to read To require that space extensive enterprises demonstrate the following:
- The appropriateness of the site for the proposed use having regard to EDE7 Objective 1;
- Strong energy efficiency measures to reduce their carbon footprint in support of national targets towards a net zero carbon economy
- Be powered by 100% renewable energy
- Sufficient capacity within the relevant energy network to accommodate the use proposed;
- Measures to support the transition to a circular economy;
- Measures to facilitate district heating or heat networks where excess heat is produced;
- A high-quality design approach to buildings which reduces the massing and visual impact;
- A comprehensive understanding of employment once operational;
- A comprehensive understanding levels of traffic to and from the site at construction and operation stage
The Council’s energy advisers (CODEMA) advise Large enterprises such as data centres procure renewable electricity through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). The electricity consumed on site will result in carbon emissions being produced based on the proportion of fossil fuel generation being used to feed the grid at that time. These emissions are then assumed to be offset by renewable electricity produced at a different time of the day or year. So basically the PPA means that the company pays for the equivalent of their onsite consumption to be produced by renewable sources rather than their actual consumption being renewable. There are practical reasons for this such as not having the space or resources to produce enough renewable energy on site to cover all power consumption all of the time.
The new Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact sets out targets for renewable energy of 75% by 2025 and 100% by 2030. Which is an attempt by the data centre industry to self regulate in an effort to avoid imposed regulation. Some data centres are on paper already 100% renewable through the PPA process.
The implementation of an objective requiring companies to be powered by 100% renewable energy is therefore problematic. Therefore it is considered that the motion should be amended to require such companies to maximise onsite generation as much as possible/feasible and where on site demand cannot be met in this way they should be required to provide evidence of engagement with power purchase agreements (PPA). Also the additional of a requirement to prove sign up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact. It is worth noting that a 100% requirement as set out in the motion may discourage businesses from setting up in the County.
Recommendation
It is recommended that bullet 3 be amended to read as follows.
- Maximise onsite renewable energy generation to ensure as far as possible 100% powered by renewable energy, where on site demand cannot be met in this way provide evidence of engagement with power purchase agreements (PPA).
Add additional bullet
Provide evidence of sign up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact.