River Foyle protest paddle joins Europe-wide action against data centres
Environmental campaigners will take to the River Foyle in a peaceful protest paddle opposing the expansion of hyperscale data centres across the North of Ireland.
The Protest Paddle will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026, organised by Zero Waste North West, Save the Moat – Save the Sperrins and The Gathering.
It will coincide with the Europe-wide Stop Dirty Data Centres Days of Action (6–7 November) “highlighting the environmental impacts of these enormous industrial developments,” according to spokesperson, Conall Morrison.
The group will depart Prehen at 10am, paddling towards Culmore Point, where they aim to arrive at 11.30am. Experienced paddle boarders are also invited to participate.
“Campaigners are deeply concerned that planning permission has already been granted for the North’s first hyperscale AI data centre campus at Foyle Port, right beside the River Foyle and close to environmentally protected areas, including Lough Foyle Area of Special Scientific Interest,” added Mr Morrison.
“We fear the development could have serious consequences for the river, wildlife, water resources and surrounding communities.
“We are getting off our screens and onto the water! We want to enjoy the Foyle for what she is, a beautiful living river, full of life and part of our natural heritage.
“It’s about appreciating the river and sending a strong clear message that we do not want or need these enormous energy and water-hungry data centre industries being imposed on our communities and nature.”
The enormous demand for electricity is another major concern. Coolkeeragh Power Station has a main generating capacity of 400MW, yet GreenScale’s Foyle Port AI data centre has already secured 100MW of grid connection capacity, with ambitions to expand to 300MW or more. To put that into perspective, 300MW is equivalent to approximately 75% of Coolkeeragh’s main generating capacity,” said Mr Morrison.
He added: “And who is going to pay for all this? Supplying developments of this scale could require costly new electricity generation, substations and grid upgrades. Campaigners fear these costs could ultimately be passed on to households and businesses through higher electricity bills.
“With around one in three households in Northern Ireland already living in fuel poverty, we simply cannot afford to see our electricity bills increase to subsidise AI data centres that dumb down our population and harm our air, water and environment!
“The groups are calling on all Foyle MLAs to support the revocation of the Foyle Port data centre planning permissions, and on the Minister for Infrastructure and Derry City and Strabane District Council to exercise their statutory revocation powers.
“We are also demanding an immediate, legally binding moratorium on further hyperscale data centre developments.
“With further AI hyperscale data centre expansion plans emerging at Coleraine and Kilroot, campaigners are questioning why these enormous industrial developments are being pursued without any kind of regional strategy or proper consideration of their combined impacts,” said mr Morrison.
The organisers warmly invite the public to come out, cheer and show support along the river.
Friday 6 November – approximate times:
- 10.00am – Depart Prehen
- 10.10am – Craigavon Bridge
- 10.20am – Peace Bridge
- 10.30am – The Quay, near Council offices
- 11.30am – Culmore Point, final gathering and photographs
Times are approximate and subject to weather and river conditions. Experienced paddlers wishing to join should contact the organisers in advance.
Whether on the water or along the riverbank, everyone is welcome!