Electricity blackouts cannot be ruled out this winter, according to the Department of Environment.
The Irish Examiner report that the growth of data centres is putting significant strain on the national grid, while two gas fired power stations at Whitegate in Cork and Huntstown in Dublin are currently not in operation.
The Department of Environment say they are taking steps to try to avoid rolling blackouts, and that the power stations at Whitegate and Huntstown are expected to be back up and running by the winter.