Data centre go-ahead will create major jobs boost
AT least 90 new jobs will be created in Arklow as a result of planning permission being granted for a new data centre at the IFI site near the old Dublin road.
Echelon Data Centres confirmed to this newspaper yesterday that it has been granted permission to develop the proposed 484,000sq ft facility in Arklow representing an investment of around €500m.
The new centre will create a total of 540 new jobs with 450 of those materialising during the construction phase of the project.
A further 90 fulltime jobs will be created when the centre is up-and-running.
The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Graeme McWilliams, said the site where the new facility will be located has been ‘underutilised’ for many years.
He also said the company plans to get started on the project as soon as possible.
‘ The affect of this development on the Wicklow economy will be felt, not only during the construction phase, but also through the 90 permanent positions that will be created when the works are completed,’ he said.
Mr McWilliams also said the new centre will help rejuvenate the Avoca Business Park.
‘ The requirement for data centres is growing and Ireland is uniquely placed to become one of the main hubs for multinationals locating in Europe who need access to such facilities,’ said Mr McWilliams.
Councillor Pat Fitzgerald welcomed the news and said it will provide a great boost to Arklow.
‘ The site is very suitable and this is news that will be very much welcomed by everyone,’ he said.
He also said that work is expected to begin on the development towards the end of this year with completion expected by 2021.
Cllr Fitzgerald expressed his hope that the new centre will help transform the overall industrial park into a major hub for south Wicklow.
Pat Casey TD, also welcomed the news and said it will be a ‘game changer’ for Arklow and south Wicklow in terms of job creation and economic development.
He described the location as ‘a landmark for failed industrial development in Arklow’.
‘ The development levies on this project alone are €1,773,535 which will be used by Wicklow County Council to further local public infrastructure and facilities,’ he said.
Deputy Casey said he was working on the project with Echelon for 17 months and commented: ‘ The initial investment is over €500m and will transform this brown field site into a major data centre with 100 mega watts of capacity in phase 1, which will in turn attract industries in the valuable technology and software sectors.’
He expressed hope that the new data centre will become a hub for a business park based on models that US data centres have evolved into.
‘ The potential for further job and commercial development at the site is massive and Echelon are committed to developing their holdings and the Arklow region for the long term,’ he said.