Google plans to increase data centre capacity in Grange Castle

GOOGLE is planning to increase its data centre capacity through an expansion of its current Grange Castle site.

The company plans to build a 72,000 sq m data storage facility at the Grange Castle Business Park, where it already has two data centres.

In a statement to media, a spokesperson said: “We have issued the formal notice that we will be submitting a planning application to expand our existing data centre in Ireland.

“This application reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting the growing demand for our services and supporting Ireland’s digital economy.”

Plans include proposals for a data storage facility which will include data halls, offices and staff facilities, and a new thoroughfare connecting Grange Castle Business Park South with Profile Park Road.

Grange Castle is home to data centres run by several other companies, including Microsoft and Amazon.

Vantage is due to open its first operation in Ireland there, with an investment of more than €1bn.

Google, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, employs more than 5,000 people in Ireland as of April.

The tech giant recently appointed Waterford-born Vanessa Hartley as the new head of its Irish operations after predecessor Adaire Fox Martin left to become CEO and president of Equinix.

Data centres are expected to consume nearly a third of Ireland’s total electricity by 2026, according to an International Energy Agency report published in January.

Figures released by the Central Statistics office last year showed that data centres consumed 18pc of Ireland’s metered electricity in 2022, up from 14pc in 2021.

The figure was only 5pc in 2015.

In 2022, South Dublin County Council was told by the Government to drop its ban on their development in the region, saying it was not in tune with national policy.