The energy regulator has finally laid a pathway for data centres to get a grid connection in Ireland. Industry reactions are positive, but questions remain on what the policy will mean for construction – and its climate implications.
Bubbles create winners and losers, and artificial intelligence has yet to reveal who they will be. This means it is risky to be involved – but also risky not to be.
Red Admiral DC's application to take its 250MW data centre planning application directly to An Bord Pleanála was rejected – it must go through Westmeath County Council first.
Echelon's CEO Niall Molloy tells The Currency about powering its two new data centres, private capital's role in strengthening the grid, and how the company aims to create a template for green infrastructure.
The latest figures concern just 11 data centres with active connection policies in place, while two dozen additional sites wish to access the gas grid despite a State pause on new connections amid climate concerns.
When the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities put out its much-anticipated proposals for data centre power connections, it was cautiously welcomed by many in the industry. But large gaps leave much uncertainty still.
It all comes down to data centres for the Japanese giant. It acquired Crystal Air for its expertise in building ventilation systems for the industry, which is growing at pace in mainland Europe.
Davenham Switchgear, founded over 40 years ago, was acquired recently by France’s Legrand in yet another deal this year by international investors taking stakes in data centre-focused firms.
Dublin has long been top of the pack as a location for data centres. Now energy and infrastructure concerns in the race to net-zero emissions are leading operators to countries like Finland and Sweden instead.
Turner Construction Company has acquired the Cork-based engineering group to gain access to its sizeable data centre and pharma projects around Europe.
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