The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance will be headed by former Construction Industry Federation director Tom Parlon
From left: Joe Conway, Tom Parlon, Colm Phelan and David Quinn at the launch of the Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance in Grange Castle Business Park, Dublin. Photo: Robbie Reynolds
Data centre
A new trade association has been formed to represent Irish companies operating in the data centre supply chain, with former Construction Industry Federation director and junior minister Tom Parlon appointed as its first chair.
The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance (IDCSA) said it will represent home-grown firms involved in planning, design, construction, engineering, energy management and other services connected to data centre investment.
The alliance said it has been established to advocate on behalf of its members and to engage with policy-makers on how data centre investment supports Irish businesses.
The launch follows the publication of the Large Energy User policy by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities in December, which is designed to help investment in energy-intensive sectors, such as data centres.
Noting constraints in Ireland’s energy system, the IDCSA is calling for the development of dedicated “islanded utility” business parks in strategic locations.
The growth of the data centre industry has been one of the foundations of Ireland’s economic recovery since the financial crash
These would be large-scale campuses with utility-scale energy and water capacity developed on site to facilitate future foreign direct investment.
“The growth of the data centre industry over the past 15 years has been one of the foundations of Ireland’s economic recovery since the financial crash,” Mr Parlon said.
“The sector has contributed over €20bn through direct and indirect investment during that time, directly employing 1,800 people while supporting thousands more jobs across the Irish supply chain.
“Data centre investment has also been a vital avenue of growth for Irish business, allowing many companies to evolve into a new generation of multinationals and establishing Ireland as a global leader in the provision of digital infrastructure services,” he added.
“Unfortunately, the debate around data centre investment in Ireland has become deeply polarised over recent years and the benefits to domestic businesses are largely ignored.
“We’re standing in Grange Castle Business Park today for the launch of the IDCSA and it’s a fitting location. More than any other site, the Grange Castle Business Park is a shining example of what strategic forward planning by the state can achieve,” he said.
“Over the last 20 years, this world-class campus has attracted billions of euros in FDI investment and positioned Ireland as a global leader in digital infrastructure development,” Mr Parlon added.
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