The Ennis data centre campus would consist of six data halls totalling 1.3 million square feet, or 145 acres, situated on the ground next to Tulla Road on the eastern edge of Ennis, close to Junction 13 on the M18 highway that connects Limerick and Galway.
Applicant Art Data Centres Ltd. expressed gratitude for the decision and stated that, once the data centre campus is fully operating, the project will produce between 400 and 450 permanent employees, with an additional 1,200 jobs under construction.
A corporate spokeswoman stated today that “construction will commence as soon as possible in 2024.” The project's construction is expected to take six years to complete.
Over the course of six years, the projected Ennis data centre has gone through several phases, including zoning, planning, and strategic site evaluation.
Tom McNamara, CEO of Art Data Centres, praised the news.
“This is fantastic news for Clare and the data centre campus, as the project will be a major pillar of the Ennis 2040 Economic Plan for the area,” he stated.
He said: "The Ennis site's infrastructure will support the government's efforts to provide sustained opportunities for the nation in the technology sector. The favourable planning decision now allows the electricity connection application to be completed in its entirety.
The applicants had originally planned to begin building in June 2023, but resistance and An Bord Pleanala planning delays caused the appeals board to take more than 18 months to reach a decision.
The appeals board noted that it had taken into consideration the Government Statement on the role of data centres in Ireland's Enterprise Strategy from July 2022 when approving Art Data centres Ltd.'s proposal.
The board said that it had taken into consideration the Climate Action Plan as well as the distance between the proposed development and nearby residential areas.
The appeals board concluded that the plan wouldn't significantly harm the area's aesthetic or residential amenities, nor would it have an unacceptably negative effect on the ecosystem or landscape.
The ambitious project was granted approval by Clare County Council in August 2022, and the appeals board grant confirms that decision. The plan has been before An Bord Pleanala since September 2022.
Following eight appeals filed by An Taisce, Friends of the Irish Environment, Futureproof Clare, the Clare Green Party, and four individuals Dr. Colin Doyle, Martin Knox, Colin Johnston, and Christine Sharp the proposed development was brought before the appeals board.
An Taisce said in its appeal that the project “would require a very significant amount of power, thereby generating a projected 657,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum” and that it was therefore advised that the plan be rejected.
“This significant increase in annual emissions contravenes the emissions reduction obligations of the Climate Change Act,” according to a Taisce.
Members of the Clare County Council designated the planned location for "data centres & power generating infrastructure" in 2019.