Offaly company says €1billion data centre will use 'cutting-edge' renewable energy solutions
A proposed €1 billion data centre campus at Rochfortbridge, being proposed by an Offaly company, will deliver significant high quality employment and a sustainable data centre when completed.
The proposed development, currently in the planning process with Westmeath County Council, will provide an estimated 760 direct jobs and an additional 1,000 indirect jobs during a five-year construction phase, Red Admiral Ltd, a subsidiary of Lumcloon Energy, said in a statement.
It is designed to respond to the government’s 2022 policy statement on data centre development, which proposes regional locations, local economic benefit, co-located renewable energy and net zero data services.
See story on submissions to the planning application here
The new data centre will be unique in being co-located with a hybrid energy system using a combination of solar energy and fuel cell technology to generate power as well as a 250MW x 2hr energy storage facility. This design will allow the use of renewable energy via the national grid and generation locally at high efficiency.
The project is being developed by Red Admiral Ltd, a subsidiary of Lumcloon Energy, which is currently completing development of a peaking gas power plant at Castlelost, Rochfortbridge, which will provide energy when needed to the national grid. The new data centre and energy campus will have a development cost in excess of €1 billion. It will draw on Lumcloon Energy’s previous experience with grid scale generation including battery energy storage.
In line with government priorities published in the 2022 Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland’s enterprise strategy, the development will deliver local benefits, and continue to engage with the community including support of community initiatives at a significant scale. Nigel Reams, MD of Lumcloon Energy, said: “This project represents a significant step forward for Ireland’s data centre and energy infrastructure. By integrating cutting-edge renewable energy solutions with state-of-the-art technology, we are addressing the growing demand for data services, and ensuring sustainability is at the core of our operations.
“This initiative will bring substantial economic and community benefits to Rochfortbridge and the surrounding areas, while aligning with the government’s vision for regional development and net-zero energy solutions. We are proud to lead such a transformative project and remain committed to engaging with and supporting the local community throughout its development.”