Incredibly, Kildare households used the most electricity in 2024

Kildare households used more electricity than any other county in Ireland last year, new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

The county recorded the highest median residential electricity consumption in 2024, at 3,845 kilowatt hours (kWh), well above the national median of 3,246 kWh. Donegal had the lowest at 2,650 kWh.

Kildare’s residential demand reflects both its growing population and its expanding commuter belt role.

Between 2015 and 2024, the number of residential electricity meters in the county increased by 19%- one of the largest rises in the country -  alongside neighbouring Meath.

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The CSO said high residential electricity use can be linked to larger homes, increased use of electric heating and appliances, or electric vehicle charging. Metered electricity consumption by stand-alone EV charge points rose by 43% nationally last year.

The figures come as overall electricity use in Ireland continues to surge, largely driven by the country’s growing network of data centres.

Data centres accounted for more than one-fifth (22 per cent) of all metered electricity consumption in 2024, having more than quadrupled their share since 2015.

Total electricity use nationwide rose by 4.3%  last year to 31,900 gigawatt hours (GWh), while metered electricity consumption by data centres alone increased by 10% to 6,969 GWh.

Large energy users - including major data centres - made up the biggest share of consumption at 31%.