Europe's First Microgrid-Connected Data Centre Goes Live

The first microgrid-connected data centre in Europe located just outside of Ireland's capital has just been switched on, with investments worth EU€1bn (US$1.2bn).

As opposed to public grid infrastructure, the data centre runs on its own privately powered grid, which aims to both reduce power connection delays and cater to the AI boom and workloads.

In Europe, the AVK and Pure Data Centers' first privately powered data centre going live marks a shift towards fully independent, self-sufficient data centres.

It also comes just a week after big tech firms signed a White House pledge protecting citizens in America from making pay-outs to power data centres using public grids. Microgrid systems are already widely being used in the US, but the journey in Europe has only just started.

AI computing demand

As demand for AI computing capacity outpaces the available public grid power across Europe, this approach to data centre operations could change how the industry powers its infrastructure across a continent struggling with energy constraints.

Companies are looking for ways to solve Europe's AI infrastructure bottleneck, where some are turning to their own sources of power. In terms of AI investment, the European Commission estimates the bloc needs at least EU€1.2tn (US$1.39tn) in investments by 2040.

AVK CEO Ben Pritchard told news organisation CNBC: "As these data centres get bigger and we see AI workloads and the data becoming more of a feature in our day-to-day lives, that only puts more stress on the grid. So we have to drive to a different solution."

EU's sustainable data centre guidelines

Regulatory hurdles could slow deployment of these systems during the AI boom and their success could be driven by whether their power sources and reliable and sustainable.

Ireland's regulator CRU set out guidelines for new data centres, one of which stating that they must source at least 80% of annual demand from renewable electricity generated in Ireland. Ireland's data centre facilities consumed 22% of the country's power in 2024.

As AI hyperscale continues, Ben Pritchard, CEO at AVK, commented on the many criticisms of data centres on LinkedIn, as the company launched a business strategy called The Footprint We Leave in February.

"Data centres are often portrayed as villains in the public debate. Energy-hungry, lacking transparency, and disconnected from the communities around them. The reality is far more complex.

"Data centres are essential to modern society, but that importance comes with clear obligations: to reduce emissions where possible, to design more efficient systems and to operate in a way that respects both local grids and communities."

Dawn Childs, President at Pure DC, also told CNBC that the company would have had to wait for a grid connection without the microgrid solution they integrated.

A grid connection would have been more sustainable as Pure DC had to hire specialist engineers to build the Dublin microgrid. 

"Creating a microgrid enabled us to move our project forward.

"If we have to stay as an islanded solution, we absolutely can... However, to get the most sustainable solution and to provide services back into the grid in Dublin, in the most constrained area of Ireland, it would be our desire to get a grid connection."

The data centre runs on 110 megawatts and is currently powered by natural gas engines with the ability to switch to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO).

According to Dawn, it has the potential to provide up to 20 MW of battery storage if it does secure a grid connection.