Hollister Incorporated, a global leader in ostomy, continence, wound care and critical care products has announced an €80m R&D investment and a digital transformation project that will create approximately 50 new jobs in Ballina.

The multimillion-euro investment aims to elevate Ballina into a global epicentre of expertise through novel device design and extensive site-wide training, setting a benchmark for digital transformation within Hollister's global network.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD said:

"This is a terrific day for Ballina and North Mayo with the announcement of 50 additional jobs for the region. Hollister is more than just a manufacturing plant in Ballina; it is one of the mainstays of our community.

Today, second and third generations of families are employed there boosting the local economy and contributing to the everyday life of the town. I want to pay credit to Shane Caher and all of the staff in Hollister who have dedicated themselves to Ballina and to the West of Ireland but also to all of the past Hollister management and staff who's work, and commitment is the foundation of the plant's success today.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge IDA Ireland for their continued support to Hollister and across Mayo. I very much look forward to what the next 50 years will bring for Hollister and Ballina"

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Alan Dillon TD, said:

"This €80 million investment by Hollister Inc. is very welcome news. It is a powerful endorsement of Ballina's skilled workforce and Ireland's reputation as a hub for innovation in healthcare manufacturing. To see a long-standing employer, like Hollister, continue to grow and evolve through cutting-edge research and digital transformation is very encouraging.

The creation of 50 new high-quality jobs will also bring economic and social benefits to the region. On behalf of the Irish Government, I thank Hollister for its continued commitment to Ballina and the West of Ireland, and I wish the team there the very best for the future and many more years of success here in Co. Mayo."

Founded in 1921 in Illinois, the US MedTech manufacturer has been part of the fabric of Ballina since 1976, where it now employs almost 1000 people.

Hollister is currently recruiting in the areas of Engineering, Data Science and Business Services. To explore opportunities, visit Career Opportunities | Hollister IE.

"We are thrilled to announce this significant milestone for Hollister Incorporated. Our commitment to innovation and excellence continues to drive us forward, and this investment in our research program and digital transformation project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team," said Shane Caher, Senior Director of Plant Operations and General Manager.

"We look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to deliver on Our Mission to make life more rewarding and dignified for those who use our products and services."

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said:

"Since 1976, Hollister has been creating jobs and investment in Co. Mayo. In the intervening near 50 years, Hollister has again and again committed to and delivered on its ambitions for its Irish operations. Supporting Hollister and companies across IDA Ireland's client portfolio with R&D investment and digital transformation endeavours sits right at the heart of Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29. I wish to congratulate Hollister and assure them of IDA Ireland's continued support."

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We look at the new book by Simon Horton. See more about The End of Conflict: How AI Will End War and Help Us Get On Better here.

The End of Conflict:, How AI Will End War and Help Us Get On Better, reviewed

We enjoyed reading this book. Initially we felt the title was counter intuitive, and it seems like the author also had thoughts, and doubts about this premise. Without giving away a plot spoiler it does that, by the end of the book, the author is not completely convinced himself either whether we can be completely confident about AI either. However, before we get to this slightly disconcerting ending the author does take us on a thoughtful, and provoking discussion of some potential positive benefits that could come from AI.

Horton discusses how AI could help with conflict resolution, including for couples. While you can imagine the initial skepticism he does a good job of explaining how and why it might work, and could, quite quickly become adopted and used subsequently. As with all things, if you can get to trying it once, and this has positive results, people are quite likely to then return again and again, with even better outcomes.

Horton is aware that things could all go pear shaped too when it comes to AI and the future of humanity too. While he explores and explains in a convincing way the paths that could lead to better outcomes, he also accepts that this is not a sure thing, and that we do live in risky times. This is probably a fair way to treat the options in front of us. A well written book, worth reading and following Horton's exploration of these challenging times.

See more about the book here

The end of conflict? Sounds impossible, like the lion lying down with the lamb. But what if it were achievable?

World-renowned Negotiation expert Simon Horton has spent 25 years working with the British Army, hostage negotiators and some of the biggest companies in the world. He has also spent 20 years studying artificial intelligence and he reveals how the rapidly growing field of Peace Tech really could end war, heal our polarised societies, and improve our closest relationships.

Humans know how to resolve conflict in theory but, in practice, our egos and emotions get in the way. AI has no such limitations. With its ability to manage vast datasets and develop creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems, AI could transform how we handle disagreements at every level.

There's a catch, of course. Can we trust the AI? Can we trust the tech companies?

Including interviews with Professor Steven Pinker, Bruce Schneier and many similar experts in their field, "The End of Conflict" builds a plausible roadmap to the optimistic future of the title and shows what we must do to ensure everyone benefits fairly from these powerful new technologies.

More about the author

Simon Horton is the founder of Negotiation Mastery, a centre of excellence in the world of negotiation.

His mother was Irish Catholic and his father English Protestant. He grew up in the 1970s and every time there was a bomb in Northern Ireland, the civil war was fought at his dining table. Even at the age of 10, he knew there was a better way.

He has been teaching negotiation and conflict resolution for 20 years, across 25 different countries. Clients have included Goldman Sachs, HM British Army, the Saudi Space Agency and many similar world class organisations. He has taught at Oxford University and Imperial College and has appeared on national television in multiple countries and is regularly interviewed on the topic in national press and magazines.

Prior to teaching negotiation, he led a successful career as a consultant to the financial services sector, designing derivatives trading systems and similar platforms. He was first involved with AI in 1988 and his interest grew with Moore's Law. By 2005, and the publication of Ray Kurzweil's "The Singularity Is Near", he had become obsessed.

He has performed as a stand-up comedian and a trapeze artist and h...

Artificial intelligence didn't just arrive; it opened a gateway. Like the ship Event Horizon, it was built to push the limits of innovation. Instead, it slipped into something else. Today, every search, voice command, and documents are pulled into its gravity drawn past a threshold where consent becomes irrelevant and return is impossible. Once your data crosses in, it stays. It trains the system, shapes its responses, and leaves a trace that can't be unlearned.

This isn't speculative. It's already happening. Just ask Samsung, whose engineers fed sensitive code into a chatbot without realizing it would be swallowed whole. The line between public and private no longer bends; it fractures. If that leaves you unsettled, it should. Because discomfort is a warning sign. And whether you're a casual user or a corporate gatekeeper, the question is no longer if your data is in the system but how much, and who's using it now.

Step in. The fold's already started.

The Rise of AI and the Quest for Data

Artificial intelligence has made extraordinary progress in recent years, with large language models and image generators leading the way. These systems require enormous volumes of data to learn, improve, and generate coherent, useful outputs.

Whether it's composing emails or generating lifelike images, their effectiveness depends on how much and what kind of data they consume. The more data they ingest, the better they become at mimicking human language, creativity, and interaction.

But where does all AI data come from? Much of it originates from the internet itself forums, blogs, social media posts, product reviews, and even customer service interactions. These seemingly innocuous digital traces form the building blocks of modern AI systems.

Over time, the distinction between public and private data has become increasingly blurred, making it harder to track what is truly off-limits. Data that was once considered sensitive may now be swept up in massive scraping operations, often without the user's awareness or consent.

The AI Data Trap: Once In, Never Out

AI Chatbots like ChatGPT are now embedded into browsers, mobile operating systems, smart assistants, and even surveillance technologies. These tools quietly monitor and learn from how we interact with the digital world. From typing patterns to location check-ins, AI systems are constantly collecting signals. What's more concerning is the casual manner in which data is harvested. Companies often claim the data is "publicly available" or has been "anonymized and aggregated,". But the reality is that those terms are rarely explained clearly. Consent is usually buried deep in lengthy terms of service, which most users never read.

As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, every click, tap, and scroll becomes part of a growing dataset that fuels machine intelligence.

Click, Paste, Breach

The corporate risks of AI data leakage became painfully clear in 2023, when Samsung engineers accidentally uploaded sensitive source code into ChatGPT while troubleshooting. The data, once entered, became part of OpenAI's training material. What was intended as a simple tech fix became a data breach that no firewall could prevent. This highlights how easily confidential information can be compromised.

And the Samsung AI data leak isn't an isolated incident. Across industries, employees frequently copy and paste internal documents, legal drafts, or medical notes into AI tools seeking assistance. AI tools, while helpful, are not secure by default. Their design is built around learning from user input. And this poses significant risks when proprietary or regulated data is involved. The data leak issue is particularly problematic for sectors like tech, law, and finance.

Embrace AI or Protect Data?

Companies are caught in a difficult balancing act when they use AI tools. On one hand, AI promises massive productivity improvements, automating routine tasks and uncovering insights faster than human teams ever could....

Guest post by Stanley Olisa

Charity, at its heart, is about trust. Donors give with the hope that their generosity reaches those who truly need it. But in a world where even the most vulnerable sectors are not immune to deception, charity organisations, especially those funding medical services, must remain one step ahead of potential fraudsters. For tech-driven charities like Helpster Charity, ensuring every donation translates into genuine impact is a non-negotiable principle.

The Hidden Risk: Fraud from 'Beneficiaries'

When people think about fraud in the charity sector, they often imagine shady intermediaries or mismanaged funds. But increasingly, there is another, more complex challenge- fraud by supposed beneficiaries. In the realm of healthcare charities, this might include individuals falsifying medical documents, exaggerating health conditions or fabricating financial hardship to gain access to donated funds meant for life-saving treatment.

For organisations funding medical services in developing regions, especially across Africa and Asia, the risks are real. With limited documentation, under-resourced hospitals and widespread poverty, it becomes difficult to verify each case without rigorous systems. Yet failure to do so can lead to precious donor funds being misdirected away from the vulnerable populations they are intended to support.

So how can charities remain compassionate without becoming vulnerable?

Building Smarter Systems to Combat Fraud

The solution lies at the intersection of empathy and technology. By integrating robust verification systems, real-time tracking tools and transparency protocols, charities can protect the integrity of their mission while maintaining trust with donors.

First, the vetting process must be airtight. This means validating not just medical needs but also socioeconomic status, treatment urgency and cost-effectiveness. Digital platforms can streamline this process through automated document checks, data triangulation from multiple sources and manual review for high-risk cases.

Secondly, money must never go directly to individuals. Direct hospital disbursement, tracked in real-time, ensures funds are used precisely for the approved treatment and nothing else. This model significantly limits the opportunity for misuse.

And finally, there must be transparency. Donors should not have to guess where their money went. They should be able to track the journey of their donation, from approval to treatment, and see the difference it made.

One tech charity leading the way on all these fronts is Helpster Charity.

Helpsters Fraud-Proof Approach: Technology Meets Trust

Helpster, a global tech charity startup, is proving that innovation can power integrity. Focused on providing access to healthcare for vulnerable children, young adults and pregnant women across Africa and Asia, Helpster has built a model that is as efficient as it is transparent.

At the core of Helpster's operations is a robust and tech-powered admission process. Cases are received from a carefully curated network that includes trusted local volunteers, community health workers, NGOs, hospitals and even through Helpster's own free medical outreaches to underprivileged communities. Each case is then subjected to a thorough validation process that looks at three key factors: poverty level, urgency of treatment and the proposed treatment plan. On-ground assessments are done as Helpster's team visits the beneficiaries to confirm data supplied. All medical documents are thoroughly reviewed by in-house healthcare professionals for authenticity.

This verification is not a long-winded affair. Thanks to the digital platform, most cases are checked, verified and approved (or declined) within a few days. Only cases that meet strict criteria and fall below an assessment value of 1,500 USD are uploaded onto Helpster's app and website for public support. In exceptional cases, the limit may extend to 3,000 USD but the principle remains: thes...

Ekco, one of Europe's leading security-first managed service providers, has announced that it has acquired Adapt IT, a Cork-headquartered IT managed service provider (MSP). The new deal, which is Ekco's sixth acquisition in two years, brings Ekco's total acquisition investment to €57 million within this timeframe.

In business for more than 20 years, Adapt IT employs 37 people at its Cork location, serving customers in the small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SME) market. Its 300-strong customer base operates in industries such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality, legal, and finance. The deal bolsters Ekco's ability to support fast-growing SMEs with unified, secure, and scalable technology solutions.

The acquisition of Adapt IT brings Ekco's global headcount to more than 1,000 employees and adds a seventh Irish location to its growing regional network. In addition to its three sites in Dublin, Ekco now operates in Cork, Waterford, and Laois, as well as across the UK, Netherlands, South Africa, and Malaysia. Adapt IT's expertise in Microsoft solutions will strengthen Ekco's modern working service offering for its customers, and its MSP focus will further build upon Ekco's existing managed service capabilities.

Adapt IT's customer base will now benefit from Ekco's suite of advanced cloud services, automation expertise, and cybersecurity capabilities in areas including security information and event management (SIEM), security operations centres (SOC), and backup. As the cybersecurity regulatory landscape continues to evolve, Ekco will also provide peace of mind through its compliance services. Additionally, Adapt IT's teams will be able to avail of comprehensive upskilling, certification, and continuous learning opportunities to keep pace with industry demand.

The deal is the latest in Ekco's wider acquisition strategy for growth and brings the total number of businesses acquired by Ekco in the last two years to six. Earlier this year, the company announced the purchase of Predatech, a UK-based cybersecurity consultancy. In 2024, it added UK legal IT specialist CTS to its portfolio of companies. 2023 saw the additions of MSPs Radius and Bluecube, as well as cloud migration and cybersecurity specialist iSystems.

Cian Prendergast, CEO at Ekco MSP, said: "The acquisition of Adapt IT is the latest move in our aggressive expansion strategy which targets key acquisitions combined with sustained business growth. This strategy reflects an investment in innovation that will make us in Ekco, and our acquired companies, stronger as a result. We're building a modern, security-first MSP that helps ambitious businesses to operate with confidence and resilience.

"Adapt IT, like us, is a cloud-first business that reflects our culture and has had tremendous success in building a nationwide customer base. By bringing our two companies together, we will enhance our regional footprint in a location where we see vast opportunities for our expansion, while also combining our knowledge and services to pioneer the demands of the modern enterprise. It strengthens our position as the go-to IT partner for businesses who want the reliability of a national partner with the responsiveness of a local team."

John Levis, Managing Director, Adapt IT, said: "We are delighted to join the Ekco group, an Irish-founded business which is on an impressive growth trajectory. This will enable us to continue to deliver top-tier services to businesses, backed up by the skills and resources of a larger group. We are seeing that even smaller businesses are seeking enterprise-grade IT and cybersecurity solutions - Ekco's expertise will help us to meet this growing demand as the volume and complexity of cyber threats continues to rise."

See more stories here.

Sunny weather in June produced a number of new solar power records for Ireland, according to provisional data from grid operator EirGrid.

Periods of fine weather on 6 June and 16 June saw new records set, with a final peak of 768 MW (Megawatts) set shortly before noon on Thursday, 19 June. This means the peak for grid-scale solar in Ireland is almost 200 MW higher at the midway point in 2025 than at the same time last year.

Renewable electricity met 38% of demand in June, with 30% of total electricity needs being met by wind power and 5% coming from solar over the month. Gas proved the single largest source of electricity generation in June at 36%, with imports at 23%.

Just over 1% of demand was met by coal, with June marking the last month in which it will be used for electricity generation following the final use of coal power at Moneypoint.

While renewables can provide for up to 75% of electricity at any given time, what is known as the System Non-Synchronous Penetration or 'SNSP' limit, the level of renewables on the system dropped to as low as 5% at points in June.

Periods of lowest renewable availability typically occur on still nights where there is little wind and no solar activity, with electricity predominantly coming from conventional generation at such times.

Overall electricity system demand stood at 2,636 GWh (Gigawatt Hours) for June, marking a slight decrease from demand in May.

Charlie McGee, System Operational Manager at EirGrid, said: "While it doesn't necessarily need to be sunny to produce solar power, some of the peaks we see over the summer period typically occur during periods of strong sunshine.

"The increased rollout of grid-scale solar in Ireland means we're seeing more records being set, with a marked increase from the levels of generation we saw just a year ago. June was an important month for the electricity grid in another sense, as we will no longer see coal reflected in our fuel mix following its final use in Moneypoint last month."

A new mobile app, ESB Networks AR: The Story of Electricity, developed by Walton Institute at South East Technological University, was recently launched during the annual ESB Networks' Apprentice Network Technician of the Year. This innovative app offers an interactive, educational experience that brings the history and infrastructure of electricity in Ireland to life using cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) technology.

The app also allows users to explore the ESB Networks Training Centre's live field in Portlaoise through a guided AR tour. Onsite visitors can use the app to access multimedia content, presented by a virtual tour guide, that explains the real-world electrical equipment and infrastructure they see around them.

For those accessing the app, ESB Networks AR offers a rich multimedia journey through the evolution of electricity in Ireland - from generation to transmission, distribution, and final delivery to homes and businesses across the country, both urban and rural.

The project was delivered through a research and development collaboration between the ICS Technology Gateway at Walton Institute and ESB Networks.

Stephen Barnes, Senior Project Manager of the Extended Reality (XR) team at Walton Institute, said: "We're delighted to launch an app that combines education, storytelling, and technology. It's an exciting new way to engage people with the story of electricity and the important work ESB Networks does every day. As a former electronic engineer, I hope that this will not just give users a better understanding of the great work done by ESB Networks but also inspire the next generation of apprentices."

David Harrington, Training Design and Systems Manager at ESB Networks, added: "This app reflects ESB Networks commitment to innovation and education. It enhances how we engage with visitors, apprentices, and the public, offering a hands-on, immersive understanding of the infrastructure that powers Ireland."

This app is more than a tour. It serves as an educational tool that demystifies the fundamentals of electricity and showcases the vital work of ESB Networks. Schools, training centres, and colleges can also benefit from its use as an engaging introduction to electrical systems and infrastructure.

One of the standout features is a virtual tour guide, created using advanced 3D scanning and facial animation technologies. Users can also experience immersive 360° footage from a technician's climb up a transmission tower, offering a unique and thrilling perspective on the work carried out by ESB professionals.

The ICS Technology Gateway Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27.

Powerwall 3 is the latest generation of Tesla's residential battery lineup, enabling up to 13.5kWh of storage following on from the Powerwall 1 (2015) & Powerwall 2 (2017). Together, there are over 850,000 of these units installed across the globe.

Powerwall can power most Irish homes with a single unit, enabling savings through storing excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night during peak pricing hours. By using Self-Consumption mode to store excess solar for use at night, Ireland customers can reduce their reliance on the electricity grid by 70%. Further savings can be unlocked through Time-Based Control mode.

This feature allows owners on a utility rate plan that varies by time of day to set their Powerwall to maximise their savings, charging from the grid when prices are low, and using cheaper energy stored in Powerwall to power their home when electricity prices are high. On average, owners can save up to €2,010 per year powering their home with Powerwall 3 paired with solar.

Powerwall also has the added benefit of backup protection. It automatically detects outages and becomes the home's energy source when the grid goes down.

More power. More efficiency. More backup.

Powerwall's inverter can output 5 kW throughout Ireland, enabling further savings by powering a greater variety of appliances.

With a built-in solar inverter, Powerwall has greater power efficiency, creates a cleaner-looking install with fewer boxes on the wall and reduces the need for a customer to purchase a third-party inverter.

Powerwall redesigned thermal management system, taking learnings from Model 3, enables best-in-class performance, installation flexibility either indoors or outdoors and operation in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C. Withstanding extreme weather conditions and harsh environments thanks to its robust design, Powerwall 3 can be installed inside or outside, maintaining normal operation in high humidity and flooding in 60 cm of water.

Ecosystem Efficiencies

Fully integrated in the Tesla product ecosystem, Powerwall can be managed via the Tesla App and adapted to different needs.

When used with Tesla vehicles, Powerwall unlocks more charging features, such as Charge on Solar. This free extra feature gives Tesla owners equipped with a Powerwall paired with solar the ability to charge using only excess energy produced by the Tesla solar system. Off-grid charging is also made possible, further lowering the cost of home charging with sustainable energy.

Starting today, Powerwall is available in Ireland. Future owners can get a quote from a Tesla Powerwall Certified Installer.

Datasheet available here.

Fenergo has announced 300 new jobs at its global HQ in Dublin. This is part of a €100 million Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) expansion plan supported by Enterprise Ireland.

In addition to the new roles in Ireland, which will double the domestic headcount, Fenergo is creating new jobs across its international markets to meet increasing demand for its AI-powered solutions. A total of 500 new positions will be filled by the company globally within the next three years.

With support from Enterprise Ireland, Fenergo has also invested in a new RD&I Centre of Excellence at its Dublin HQ where the new Irish roles will be based, supporting Fenergo's innovation strategy. The new roles will enable Fenergo to further deliver on its mission to support financial institutions in fighting financial crime and creating a safer world.

Fenergo will continue to build out its intelligent, AI-powered solutions for client lifecycle management (CLM), anti-money laundering (AML) and Know your Customer (KYC). This suite of solutions forms Fenergo's FinCrime Operating System, which addresses all anti-financial crime events and operations, transforming compliance from a burden into a strategic competitive advantage.

Recruitment for the new roles is now underway, with candidates being sought for a wide range of mid-level engineering and R&D positions. Fenergo is also rolling out a graduate programme with the intention to appoint up to 30 university graduates. Interested candidates can find more information about the new jobs and submit applications via: Let's Grow Together | Fenergo.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD welcomed the jobs announcement:

"The government and Enterprise Ireland are committed to supporting and accelerating the scaling of ambitious, innovation-led Irish companies. Fenergo is a clear example of ambition in action - a company that has expanded at pace since it first launched in 2009, and one which today represents a standout financial technology solutions provider both globally and domestically.

Today's announcement not only represents significant job creation within the Irish market and excellent opportunities for our homegrown talent, but it also reinforces our position as one of the largest and most important tech hubs in Europe. I would like to commend Fenergo on this milestone expansion and their continued investment in Ireland, which I'm confident will underpin further growth for the company while supporting our economy."

Marc Murphy, CEO and Founder of Fenergo, said:

"I am delighted to announce Fenergo's significant expansion in Ireland with the creation of 300 jobs at our new RD&I Centre of Excellence, which was made possible with the considerable support and investment we have received from Enterprise Ireland. This investment and growth of our Irish operations reflect our confidence in the excellent talent pool we have in this country, and a market where innovative thinking, entrepreneurship and evolving technology will propel Fenergo to new heights.

With AI at the core of our RD&I strategy, we are committed to delivering future-proof solutions for financial institutions in Ireland, across Europe, the UK, America, the Middle East and Asia - supporting them during times of intensifying geopolitical tension and regulatory uncertainty.

"We are actively recruiting for the new roles already, and I would strongly encourage prospective candidates to consider applying and join our world-class team of change-makers at Fenergo - shaping the future of financial services operations through innovation and AI."

Kevin Sherry, Interim CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said:

"Ambitious companies like Fenergo embody Enterprise Ireland's mission that Irish-owned, globally focused companies will be the primary driver of our economy. Fenergo, announcing 500 new jobs today, is a great example of an innovative Irish company growing customers, adding RD&I to drive forward AI-powered solutions and creating an impact ...

Ireland's energy future is approaching a critical juncture. EirGrid forecasts a 45% increase in electricity demand between 2023 and 2034, driven by the rapid rise of data centres, electric vehicles, and economic growth. But as demand soars, the national grid is being pushed to its limits, struggling with renewable integration challenges, ageing infrastructure, and climate-related disruptions.

The impact of Storm Éowyn, which left 715,000 homes, farms and businesses without power, exposed just how vulnerable Ireland's energy system has become.

While grid upgrades are underway, such as the North-South Interconnector, progress has been slow. So, what can businesses do now to protect themselves from power disruptions and grid delays?

Enter microgrids: Self-contained, local energy networks that can operate independently from the traditional grid. For businesses and communities alike, they offer greater energy security, lower costs, and a more resilient path.

Microgrids, More Than Just Backup Power

Nearly half (46%) of UK and Irish businesses identify energy security and resilience as a significant risk, underscoring the urgent need for more reliable and adaptable energy solutions like microgrids.

In Ireland, where grid congestion and renewable integration challenges are growing, microgrids can help bypass infrastructure bottlenecks, accelerate the rollout of wind and solar, and provide critical backup to businesses during outages. When paired with storage technologies, they can stabilise supply, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and insulate users from volatile global energy markets by enabling local generation and storage of clean power.

With Ireland ranking third-highest in electricity prices across Europe, the case for investing in off-grid, prosumer energy solutions has never been stronger. For businesses - especially those in rural or grid-constrained areas - these systems offer a viable path to energy independence, cost stability, and long-term sustainability.

Take Finland's Citycon Lippulaiva development as an example, where a local energy system is supported by advanced digital monitoring and intelligent energy management tools. This mixed-use urban hub - featuring a shopping centre, metro station, bus terminal, and residential units - has successfully optimised resilience, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The microgrid is projected to pay back its €3 million investment within five years, thanks to a 14% annual reduction in energy costs.

From Strain to Strength: Rethinking Energy for High-Demand Users

Microgrids are not just a cost-saving solution; they're becoming an essential tool in Ireland's energy transition and economic growth. EirGrid has warned that growing grid congestion and delays in new connections could significantly hinder progress toward a net-zero energy system.

Data centres, in particular, are under increasing scrutiny due to their soaring energy demand and pressure on the grid. Yet they also represent a major driver in Ireland's economy. Instead of relying solely on the national grid, data centres can deploy self-sufficient microgrids that operate independently or in tandem with the main system. These decentralised systems can not only power their own operations, but also store surplus energy and sell it back to the local community, effectively transforming from energy consumers to energy providers.

This prosumer model enables data centres to access clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy while enhancing their scalability. That's vital for a sector that plays a key role in Ireland's foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy and contributes significantly to the national economy.

Solving Grid Bottlenecks, One Microgrid at a Time

Unlocking the full potential of microgrids in Ireland will require a more agile regulatory and planning environment. Streamlining approval processes and incentivising demand-side solutions are critical steps toward building a more resilient energy system.

Earlier this year,...