Amazon eyes data centres on Bord na Móna’s new ‘energy park’ in Midlands

The company is the first business to join the new Eco Energy Park being developed by Bord na Móna on 3,000 hectares of former peat extraction lands across counties Offaly, Westmeath and Meath.

Derrinlough Wind Farm is already being developed on the site and Bord na Móna proposes developing solar arrays, battery storage facilities and green hydrogen fuel production there.

The plan is to attract large industries that are heavy electricity users and are looking for renewable energy sources to locate there.

Data centres are an obvious target since new rules came into effect to restrict their further proliferation in Dublin where the electricity network is under strain.

AWS has signed a power purchase agreement with Bord na Móna for electricity from Derrinlough when it comes on stream.

Announcing the agreement today, Bord na Móna said: “The collaboration is set to create a pathway for AWS to develop data centres in the Midlands powered by wind and solar energy, in line with Government’s Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development.”

Bord na Móna will also market the park and energy sources to the pharmaceutical, agrifood and manufacturing industries which all have high electricity demands.

Hundreds of jobs could be created in a region which lost a valuable source of employment when Bord na Móna ceased industrial peat extraction.

“Bord na Móna’s Eco Energy Park will not only help these industries to pursue low-carbon growth of their operations but will also significantly contribute to and support associated enterprise, community initiatives, local amenities, and the local natural environment,” the company said.

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan welcomed the initiative as an important step in decarbonising large energy users.

“It serves as an example for how energy providers and large energy users can work together to greatly reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

“Sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, agrifood and ICT all play an important role in Ireland’s economy and driving economic growth into the future.

“Projects like Bord na Móna’s Eco Energy Park will be crucial in making these sectors of our economy sustainable in the long term.”

AWS’s plans for expansion in the Midlands are at a very early stage and will have to go through the planning process.

However, the company has already pledged to power its plants directly from renewable electricity sources or to match its use with equivalent clean electricity purchases so the power purchase agreement is not contingent on future development.

“As part of our commitment to reach net-zero carbon, we’re on a path to match all of the electricity powering our operations with 100pc renewable energy by 2025,” said regional energy director, Lindsay McQuade.

“This collaboration with Bord na Móna will help us to continue to decarbonise our operations whilst creating economic opportunities and supporting Ireland's climate goals.

“We look forward to working closely with Bord na Móna to seek out opportunities to expand in the Midlands.”