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Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Data centre firm launches two new projects in Wicklow
Irish-based data centre developer Echelon has officially launched two new projects in Wicklow which the company said will create over 700 jobs when construction is completed. The two data centres are named the DUB20 and DUB30 facilities and Echelon said it will invest an estimated €3.5bn in their construction. The company said this would create 2,600 construction jobs and 715 permanent positions at the two facilities once they are operational. The DUB20 campus is being developed on the site of the former Irish Fertilisers Industries plant at the Avoca River Business Park in Arklow while the DUB30 campus is being developed some 5km away at Kish Business Park. Construction on DUB20 will commence this year, with construction on DUB30 to follow after. Graeme McWilliams, Echelon chief operations officer said these new sites represent 'responsible data centre development which supports regional development and job creation in partnership with good grid citizenship'. 'The energy demands of DUB20 and DUB30 will underpin investment in almost 1GW of wind-generated renewable energy, power that will help reinforce the national grid, increase Ireland's energy security, and support our transition from fossil fuels to clean, green energy sources.' Last year, DUB20 received grid connection from EirGrid after a pause on the connections for large-scale data centres. The grid connection will allow the company to begin work on a 220kV substation at the site that will allow access to the grid for up to 800MW of wind energy generated off the coast of Wicklow in the future. Echelon Data Centres is an Irish-based international data centre infrastructure developer. It has operations in the UK, Europe as well as North America. The new data centres are supported by Taoiseach Micheál Martin who spoke at the launch in Arklow on Friday. 'These two large-scale facilities demonstrate Echelon's commitment to responsible data centre development,' Mr Martin said. 'They are located in a regional area where the grid isn't constrained, they will have the capacity to generate and dispatch power to the grid when needed, and they will facilitate the generation of renewable energy resources that will, in turn, help decarbonise Ireland's electricity system.' An Economic Impact Assessment, paid for by Echelon and conducted by accountancy firm KPMG, found that the data centres could have a significant impact on the economy. It said the economic impact could be €7.5bn during construction and €801m per year once both campuses are operational. Read More Microsoft vows to protect European operations and unveils data centre expansion
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Echelon promises over 9,000 jobs as Taoiseach launches Wicklow data centres
Launched by Taoiseach Mícheál Martin, who also officially opened Arklow's Wastewater Treatment Plant this morning, the DUB20 and DUB30 facilities will see the rejuvenation of the underutilised, brown industrial site (IFI site), restoring the industrial area to its former resource as a major employer and economic hub, along with the creation of the DUB30 campus at Kish Business Park, just south of Arklow. The milestone launch came with a promise of huge investment in the region, with the expansive projects ensuring a capital investment that Senator Pat Casey commented would be the 'largest private capital investment in the history of Wicklow'. Echelon will invest an estimated €3.5bn to develop the DUB20 and DUB30 sites, creating around 2,600 direct jobs during construction and 715 permanent positions at the two facilities once they are operational. However, an Economic Impact Assessment report prepared for Echelon by KPMG has calculated that the potential economic output of the DUB20 and DUB30 sites could be as much as €7.5bn during the construction phase, and €801m per year once both campuses are operational. The report found that every €1 Echelon invests in the DUB20 and DUB30 sites could yield a return of €1.60 due to additional economic activity through supply chains and employee spending across construction and operational phases. It also found that for every 10 jobs created during construction, up to nine additional jobs will be supported elsewhere in the economy, while every 10 direct operational roles could sustain a further 16 jobs. Detailing the economic benefits of DUB20 and DUB30, Echelon's chief operating officer Graeme McWilliams said: 'Echelon's sites in Wicklow will generate broad-based economic value with measurable impact across the Irish economy that goes far beyond the initial investment. 'They represent responsible data centre development which supports regional development and job creation in partnership with good grid citizenship. 'The raw materials in Arklow are phenomenal, not just the actual sites, but the town itself and the broader community.' He added: 'DUB20, which we expect construction to begin on next month, will be the first large-scale data centre campus outside the Dublin metro area. It is an opportunity to rejuvenate this site and return it to a major source of employment and investment that is fully integrated into the community. 'From 2018, the Echelon strategy acknowledged early signs of energy grid capacity constraints, and the requirement for significant renewable power. Echelon focused on large regional sites, where energy wasn't constrained, and close to future renewable power projects. 'Echelon has invested heavily in state-of-the-art power generation systems, rather than being a burden to the electricity grid, Echelon contributes. Our sites will import power from the grid when available, but in times of constraints, our power generation systems actually export power to the grid.' Mr Williams also noted that the company is already prioritising local industry in their supply chain, which will expand as the projects commence, while also pledging to continue their investment in Wicklow communities, already evidenced by the €1.5m sponsorship deal with Wicklow GAA. 'It has taken since 2018 to progress these projects to where they are today, and during that time, we have also worked to embed ourselves into Arklow and the wider Wicklow communities,' he said. 'We have built relationships from a business perspective that we value very highly, including LMH Engineering, who are bringing their innovation to our project in Clondalkin, and we look forward to working with them on our Arklow projects. 'It's also been very important for us to develop relationships with the people of Arklow and County Wicklow, as seen in our long-term sponsorship of Arklow Rugby Club and Wicklow GAA . 'We look forward to continuing our support of these organisations, and widening our reach to other organisations in the future.' Echoing those sentiments, the Taoiseach said that, from conversations, he has 'a very clear grasp of the enormity of this project, and the potential for Arklow and Wicklow'. 'These campuses will contribute greatly to the local and wider economy, creating hundreds of full-time employment opportunities when it is operational, and thousands of jobs during construction,' he said. 'Echelon's agreement with SSE to develop shared grid infrastructure marks the first time in Ireland that an offshore wind farm and data centre have agreed to this. This is the model that will play an important role in reaching our energy and decarbonisation targets, while contributing to economic development. "These two large-scale facilities demonstrate Echelon's commitment to responsible data centre development. They are located in a regional area where the grid isn't constrained, they will have the capacity to generate and dispatch power to the grid when needed, and they will facilitate the generation of renewable energy resources that will, in turn, help decarbonise Ireland's electricity system. 'They are the model for future data centre development in Ireland – and they will deliver jobs and economic benefits for Wicklow, and will encourage further foreign direct investment in Ireland. 'I think today is a great day for Wicklow.' Local senator Pat Casey, who has been working diligently to see the Echelon projects come to fruition, said that the momentous day for Arklow and Wicklow also sends out a 'positive message to the international community that Arklow is ready and has the potential for future opportunities'. 'Earlier today, the Taoiseach officially opened Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, a significant day over three decades in the waiting, and now with the launch of DUB20 and DUB30, today really is a milestone for Arklow and Wicklow. 'This is the largest private capital investment in Wicklow's history, with the two largest construction sites we'll see for decades. You will see thousands of construction jobs sustained over five years, and hundreds on completion, never mind the additional benefit that will be brought to the local economy and job creation. 'Arklow soon will be the home of several top ten tech companies in the world, if not the top five, locating their infrastructure and assets here.' The data centre launch was the second stop on the Taoiseach's tour of Arklow, having officially opened Arklow's €139 million Wastewater Treatment Plant earlier this morning. Joining councillors and TDs at the state-of-the-art facility in Ferrybank, the ceremonial opening marked a landmark moment for local representatives and community members who have campaigned to end a block on connections for new housing developments and the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Avoca River. After Wicklow leas cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan spoke, the Taoiseach addressed the crowd, saying: 'It's great to be here in Arklow to open the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and I met the legendary Arklow councillor Pat Fitzgerald on the way in, who is claiming 40 years' credit for getting to this stage! 'I just want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to everyone involved. To say that this is an outstanding milestone of progress in terms of water quality in Ireland. 'This is a landmark facility, and a very important and impressive piece of modern infrastructure. 'One newspaper even had a headline asking if this was in fact the world's most beautiful sewage treatment plant, and it did win the prestigious Downes medal award, which is the Architectural Association of Ireland's highest honour. 'The community spirit of Wicklow has been evident throughout, because an essential project of this scale cannot happen without patience, and you have had an abundance of that, along with cooperation and support of the people of Arklow. 'Thank you for your engagement, and I hope you will reap the benefits and enjoy the outcome of many years of hard work.'
