The Irish state-run company, Bord na Móna, intends to invest as much as €1 billion in a new initiative which has drawn in Amazon Web Services as its initial major occupant. The internationally recognised company and Bord na Móna announced on Tuesday that Amazon will develop a data centre complex within the state-owned corporation’s new energy park. This move positions the American-based group as the key tenant of the park.
Bord na Móna is aiming to bring in businesses from various sectors such as high-tech, pharmaceuticals, agri-food, and others to the 3,000-hectare land in Co Offaly. The company’s plan includes the construction of wind and solar farms, batteries, and producers of biomethane and green hydrogen in the park, specifically enticing firms that utilise large quantities of energy and are seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
John O’Reilly, the head of renewable energy at Bord na Móna, stated they expect to invest up to €1 billion in this enterprise. While Amazon has yet to disclose their intended expenditure, it is anticipated that a large data centre complex could cost north of €1 billion.
During the announcement on Tuesday, both parties depicted their collaboration as a “multibillion euro investment,” which is forecasted to introduce employment opportunities and provide a significant economic boost to the midlands. It was also confirmed that Amazon Web Services had secured a power purchase agreement for electricity from Bord na Móna’s 105 mega watt Derrinlough wind farm, also in Co Offaly.
While Mr. O’Reilly revealed they are already in discussions with other prospective tenants, he provided no names. In addition to this, he stated that Bord na Móna will deliver green power to its tenants sourced from wind and solar farms, batteries, as well as biomethane and green hydrogen producers.
Amazon Web Services is known for supplying data storage to an array of businesses, from smaller firms to large multinational companies. In the Republic, the company employs 4,500 individuals while it estimates that its operations indirectly bolster around 6,000 jobs.
Lindsay McQuade, the group’s director of energy for Europe, Middle East and Africa, expressed that the project undertaken by Bord na Móna serves as a perfect fit for their agenda, since they are keen on establishing operations in proximity to eco-friendly power plants from which they can source electricity. Bord na Móna’s chief executive, Tom Donnellan, highlighted that as a prime provider of renewable energy in Ireland, they are devoted to assisting enterprises to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.