AMAZON GET PERMISSION FOR NEW DATA PLANT IN IDA PARK
AMAZON Data’s new state-of -the-art €350m data storage facility at the IDA Business and Technology Park on the Donore Road, creating up to 50 jobs in the process as well as 400 during the set up process, has been given the green light.
Meath CC has granted permission for the development which will stretch to over 19 hectares and the target date for commencement of construction of the first building is in the second quarter of this year, with full operation expected by mid 2023.
The Environmental Impact Assessment Report states that the development will be operated by Amazon Data Services Ireland Ltd and the applicant is CAP Developments LLC, an American firm.
The lifespan of the proposed development is not defined but it is anticipated that it will be at least 10 - 20 years.
The application states that Drogheda vied with a site at Navan, Co. Meath, and a site at Grange Castle, Dublin 22 for the project, but the town won out.
The proposed development will require additional electrical power supply from the national grid, but Eirgrid has provided confirmation that there is sufficient capacity from the existing area network for the required power demand. There is no predicted impact on power supply to local residential or business users.
The building will be c.28,573 sq. m, with a maximum height of c. 25m, which will accommodate data halls, associated electrical and mechanical plant rooms, loading bays, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas, etc.
The impacts on the local population in terms of residents and businesses are considered to be mainly positive in the sense of creating direct employment opportunities and indirect additional business, both during the construction and operational phases.
There are a number of conditions with the application. The developer has to pay up to €160,000 as part of the application to Meath CC.