Call for data centre transparency law amid Kildare zoning concerns
The appeal follows new legislation which was brought forward by TD Jennifer Whitmore
A Kildare county councillor has made a called for new data centre transparency legislation amid zoning concerns in Naas.
Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender, who represents the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, has welcomed new legislation brought forward by his party colleague, Jennifer Whitmore TD, who said the ongoing controversy surrounding data centre developments in Naas ‘demonstrates exactly why greater transparency is urgently needed’.
According to Cllr Pender, the Data Centre Transparency Bill 2026, which was launched yesterday, will establish a publicly accessible national register of data centres, and would detail their locations, energy consumption, water usage, carbon emissions and energy sources.
He elaborated: "I opposed the zoning of these lands for data centres when the Naas Local Area Plan was adopted in 2021, and my concerns have only grown since.
"We are talking about developments that could place enormous demands on our electricity grid, water infrastructure and the surrounding environment, and yet residents are still struggling to get clear answers about what the cumulative impact of these developments would be.
“People are entitled to know what is being proposed for their communities and what the consequences could be.”
He also noted that the issue came before Kildare County Council again on September 28 last, when councillors considered motions seeking to review the existing data centre zoning in Naas.
These motions were defeated by 22 votes to 11, with seven councillors abstaining.
Separately, the developer of the proposed data centre in Naas, Herbata Limited, claimed last month that its €3 billion project ‘will have no impact on the availability of electricity or water’ for members of the public.
‘DISAPPOINTED’
Cllr Pender also reiterated his support for the proposed review, and added that the outcome highlighted ‘the need for greater accountability in planning decisions’.
He continued: “I supported reviewing the zoning because I believe we have a responsibility to look again at decisions when new information and concerns emerge; instead, the majority of councillors voted to leave the zoning in place.
“That was disappointing, particularly given the strength of feeling among residents who have been raising legitimate questions about these developments; the least we should be able to offer people is a clear picture of the demands these facilities will place on our infrastructure.”
Moreover, Cllr Pender pointed to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which shows that data centres accounted for 23 per cent of Ireland’s total metered electricity consumption in 2025, compared with just five pc back in 2015.
On top of this, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland reported that data centres accounted for 78pc of the net increase in national electricity demand between 2015 and 2025.
Highlighting these figures, Cllr Pender asserted his view that these figures ‘raise serious questions’ about how Ireland plans for future electricity demand, particularly as households face high energy costs and the State works towards its climate targets.
"In Kildare, we already have communities concerned about water infrastructure, electricity capacity and the pressure that further development will place on essential services,” Cllr Pender added. “When we consider developments of this scale, we need to know how much electricity they will require, where that electricity will come from, how much water they will consume and what the long-term environmental consequences will be.”
He also said: “We also need an honest assessment of the permanent employment these developments will deliver; construction jobs are important, but we should not confuse temporary construction employment with long-term employment for the local community.”
PROPOSED RULES
Speaking further about his colleague’s Bill, Cllr Pender said that the legislation forms ‘a necessary first step towards better-informed decisions at both local and national level’.
Cllr Pender elaborated: “This is about making sure decisions are based on facts and that those facts are available to everyone.
“Whether you live beside a proposed data centre in Naas, pay electricity bills in Newbridge, or are concerned about Ireland meeting its climate commitments, you have a stake in these decisions.
“We cannot continue zoning land and considering developments of this scale without a full understanding of their impact.”
He concluded: “Residents deserve answers, councillors need reliable information, and the public deserves transparency; Jennifer Whitmore’s Bill is an important step towards delivering that.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.