Data centre operator Equinix has begun trialling a hydrogen-powered energy system at its facility in Blanchardstown, Dublin, as Ireland grapples with rising electricity demand driven by rapid growth in digital infrastructure.
The 12-week pilot project involves the installation of two hydrogen-powered generators developed by clean energy company GeoPura. The units, each housed in container-sized modules, are currently being used to support cooling systems at the data centre site.
According to the companies involved, the generators run in parallel and are designed to provide a zero direct onsite emissions alternative to traditional diesel or gas backup systems. The hydrogen used in the trial is sourced from renewable energy production.
Equinix said the initiative is being carried out in collaboration with Ireland’s national electricity utility ESB. The trial is intended to assess how hydrogen-based systems can support data centre operations while reducing reliance on carbon-intensive backup generation.
Peter Lantry, managing director of Equinix Ireland, described the project as a significant step in exploring alternative energy solutions for the sector. He said the trial could help address challenges related to grid capacity constraints and the increasing difficulty of accessing clean power for large-scale digital infrastructure.
He added that Ireland is making progress in hydrogen development and storage technologies, which could play a role in future energy systems.
ESB’s Head of Asset Development, Paul Lennon, said rising data demand is placing additional pressure on the electricity network. He noted that hydrogen systems could offer a cleaner and more reliable alternative to conventional backup generators, particularly for energy-intensive facilities such as data centres.
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Timmy Dooley, also welcomed the pilot. He said hydrogen could become an important component of Ireland’s broader transition to a more sustainable energy system. He added that real-world trials such as this are essential for understanding how emerging technologies can support future energy requirements.
The project comes at a time when data centres are playing an increasingly significant role in Ireland’s electricity consumption. In 2024, they accounted for 22 percent of national electricity usage, up from just 5 percent in 2015. Forecasts suggest that share could rise to nearly one-third by 2030.
In response to rising demand, the Irish government has introduced a Large Energy Action Plan aimed at supporting further development of energy-intensive facilities, including data centres, while ensuring grid stability. This follows the lifting of a previous informal pause on new data centre connections.
Regulators have also tightened requirements for new developments. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has stated that data centres should only proceed where they can source at least 80 percent of their annual electricity demand from new renewable generation.
The Equinix trial is part of a wider industry effort to explore low-carbon alternatives as pressure increases on energy systems to support the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
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