Ireland is set to have a shortage of electricity for the next five winters, according to a new report.
EirGrid says this winter will be 'challenging' and there could be major outages between now and 2026. The company says it's due to a rise in demand for electricity and the closure of older power plants.
Former environment minister, Independent TD Denis Naughten, fears power blackouts over the coming months;
"If we have a very cold winter then I think that prediction could very well come to light this winter" he said.
Meanwhile the Dáil will this morning debate a motion calling for a moratorium on new data centres in Ireland.
They currently use about 10 per cent of the country's electricity output. It's claimed that could rise to 70 per cent by 2030, if all planning permissions for new centres go ahead.
The Social Democrats is bringing forward today's motion.
