DATA CENTRE PREDICTIONS
Karina Rigby , President , Critical Systems , Electrical Sector at Eaton in EMEA
regulators , data centre operators and users to collaborate to unlock data centres ’ grid stabilisation technology .”
When comparing the five countries in question , each faces different challenges and opportunities regarding data centres and the power system . Driven by growth in demand for computing and data storage services , both from businesses and endusers , hyperscale and colocation data centres could account for as much as 24 % of electricity demand in Ireland in 2030 ; 8 % in the Netherlands and 5 % in the UK ., in the central scenario . In Norway and Germany , there is more headroom for growth , with data centres only projected to account for 2 % of each country ’ s power demand in 2030 .
Ireland is a mature market where hyperscale operators have been investing for years and is likely to keep growing despite some challenges integrating data centres into the power system . Ireland , the UK ., the Netherlands and Germany are each expected to post 80 – 104 % in data centre capacity from 2021 to 2030 .
Norway , starting from the lowest base , is projected to see 205 % growth in data centre power demand from 2021 to 2030 , thanks to its competitive industrial power prices and very high proportion of clean power in comparison with other markets , which make it an attractive destination for data centre operators looking to run a ‘ green operation ’.
Albert Cheung , Head of Analysis for BNEF , added : “ Data centre operators have already been leaders in pursuing renewable power purchase agreements to green their operations and are increasingly looking for further ways to demonstrate their commitment to climate goals .
As the wider power system adopts more renewables , they will have even greater opportunities , not only to buy renewable power , but also to be part of the solution for integrating them on to the grid .” ◊
DATA CENTRES CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR ACHIEVING HIGHER RENEWABLE ENERGY PENETRATIONS IN EUROPE .
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