Echelon Launches New Data Facilities At Site In South Wicklow

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin today described two large-scale data centre facilities being developed by Echelon Data Centres in Co Wicklow as “the model for future data centre development in Ireland”.

Speaking in Arklow at the official launch of Echelon Data Centres’ DUB20 and DUB30 facilities, the Taoiseach provided strong support for the data centre sector and the economic value it delivers for Ireland.

Mr Martin said:

“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.

Echelon will invest an estimated €3.5bn to develop the DUB20 & DUB30 sites, creating around 2,600 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 grid connection will allow Echelon 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 is also investing in solar, battery energy storage systems, and renewable fuels to replace fossil fuel consumed by the data centre. Construction on DUB20 will commence this year, with construction on DUB30 to follow after.