‘Hidden datacentre tax’ costing Irish households millions, report says
A new report indicates that Ireland's burgeoning data centers, driven in part by AI, have significantly increased household electricity bills, adding an estimated €360 per household between 2015 and 2023. This surge in energy demand, with data centers consuming 22% of Ireland's electricity, has been described as a "hidden data center tax" that subsidizes big tech. While industry representatives dispute these findings, claiming economic benefits and adherence to renewable energy targets, researchers argue that the inflexible demand from these centers exacerbates electricity price spikes, particularly during energy crises. AI
IMPACT Data center energy demands, exacerbated by AI, are increasing consumer costs and influencing European energy policy.