A new Irish company has announced its plans to build data centres across the country, creating over 1,000 jobs.

Echelon Data Centres' €1 billion investment will involve developing new centres in Clondalkin, Dublin and Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Both projects are progressing well, with planning permission granted for the Clondalkin site and permission imminent in Arklow.

Speaking at the company's launch, Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Heather Humphreys said: "This €1bn investment is fantastic news for Ireland, especially as it's one that will use a number of Irish suppliers and domestic expertise in its delivery. Success breeds success and Echelon's new presence here will add to our increasing reputation as a great place to do business.



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"It's particularly encouraging to see an indigenous company making this type of commitment to a sector that we think of as being dominated by Silicon Valley giants."

Niall Molloy, CEO of Echelon Data Centres, added: "We're thrilled that work to build Echelon's first data centres has commenced. Between our two sites in Clondalkin and Arklow, and other sites that we are in the process of identifying and acquiring in Ireland, the UK and Europe, Echelon will become one of Europe's biggest data centre providers.

"What this major investment means for Ireland is the creation of many high-quality jobs. The development and operation of these two sites alone will provide employment for 1,100 people through a capital investment of €1bn which will enhance and support Ireland's growing tech ecosystem.

"The capacity available across Echelon's first two facilities is the equivalent of 34% of all current operational capacity available in Ireland and about 15% of all capacity in planning and development. This will enable us to accommodate future growth strategies for clients. Echelon's hands-on and flexible approach to meeting customer requirements goes as far as offering a site identification, acquisition and development service."

The Dublin-based company is working to a 'Triple 5' strategy – the development of 500MW of capacity, in five countries, by 2025.

The first tranche of 40MW of capacity will be available in Clondalkin in Q3 2020.

(CM/MH)