Works on a new €1.6 billion euro data centre are set to commence in Clare after clearing all legal hurdles faced by the scheme in the High Court this week
The applicant Art Data Centres welcomed the High Court's decision to find in its favour in judicial review proceedings relating to its Ennis data centre development.
The Art Data Centres campus development is located just outside Ennis on the M18.
The founders say it will create significant economic activity in Ennis, County Clare and the wider region.
Welcoming the decision, joint founders of Art Tom McNamara and Vincent Fogarty said: "The judgement recognises that there is a future for environmentally-sensitive data centre developments like ours, where there is responsible use of renewable energy, grid-supporting generation technology & heat-recycling for both agri-food and local heating schemes.
"Such responsible developments, outside the Dublin metropolitan area, have the potential to secure our economic future, providing a future market for off-shore wind developers and securing Ireland's position as a world-renowned centre of excellence in the cloud computing economy," they added.
According to Art, the project is expected to generate substantial employment during both the construction phase and the long‑term operational life of the facility - up to 1,200 in construction, thousands more in support jobs and services, up to a thousand permanent jobs and the under-pinning of thousands more in digital industries.
The proposed campus contains a power substation, six data halls totalling 1.2 million sq. ft, an energy centre, a vertical farm for growing crops and a connection for a heating system for the wider district.
Art also said "the project’s scale at 200mw will be attractive to the largest technology partners in the world."
The Ennis project represents the culmination of more than eight years of preparatory work and is set on 145 acres.
Commenting on the decision the Chairman of Digital Infrastructure Ireland, Maurice Mortell said the judgement acknowledges " there is a future for data centres in Ireland with responsible use of energy, grid-supporting generation technology and heat recycling to benefit local communities."
Mr Mortell also said the judgement comes at a crucial time for the sector in Ireland "as
as the message had gone out around the world that this country was closed in planning, connections and approach to data centres."
"It is important that digital infrastructure has continued recognition of its strategic value to Ireland’s economic development," said Mr Mortell. " DII hopes this judgement will bring renewed momentum for our sector."
Phase 1 of the project — comprising the electrical substation, Data Halls 2 and 3, and associated site works — is scheduled for completion and commissioning by the end of 2028.
