Plans have been announced for Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop data centres in the Midlands powered by wind and solar energy as part of a new collaboration with Bord na Móna.
AWS has been confirmed as the first business to join Bord na Móna's Eco Energy Park in the Midlands, subject to regulatory and planning consent.
Eco Energy Park will co-locate large companies with a range of renewable energy technologies, helping them to deliver low-carbon growth in their operations.
AWS and Bord na Móna said that the development is in line with the Government's Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development and will lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs during the construction phase, as well as a community benefit fund to provide support to local projects and groups.
As part of this agreement, AWS will also invest in up to 800MW of new renewable energy projects in Ireland, with today's announcement marking AWS's first 105MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with Bord na Móna for Derrinlough Wind Farm, located in Co Offaly.
"This is just the beginning, and we look forward to welcoming Amazon Web Services and other leading organisations from sectors like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and ICT among others to join the Bord na Móna Eco Energy Park in the coming years," said Tom Donnellan, chief executive of Bord na Móna.
Lindsay McQuade, Director of Energy, EMEA, Amazon Web Services said the company is looking forward to working closely with Bord na Móna to seek out opportunities to expand in the Midlands.
"This collaboration with Bord na Móna will help us to continue to decarbonise our operations whilst creating economic opportunities and supporting Ireland's climate goals," Ms McQuade said.
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, has welcomed the collaboration.
"Today’s announcement underlines the importance of such partnerships to enable shared ambition of growth, decarbonisation and innovation," Mr Lohan said.
The agreement between Bord na Móna and AWS was announced at an event in Dublin this evening attended by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.
"Sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, agrifood and ICT all play an important role in Ireland’s economy and driving economic growth into the future," Mr Ryan said.
"Projects like Bord na Móna’s Eco Energy Park will be crucial in making these sectors of our economy sustainable in the long term, by co-locating renewable energy generation assets with large energy users," he added.
