Apple gets go-ahead for €850m Athenry data centre
An Bord Pleanála granted the computer giant permission to construct the 24,505sq m single storey data centre with an accompanying 5,230sq m logistics and administration centre.
The development will cater for the data demands created by a range of Apple’s services including its App store and iTunes music store.
The planning authority gave the proposal its blessing citing “projected demand for data storage” and the “economic rationale for the development” as reasons for its decision to grant planning permission.
It also pointed towards the operational rationale for clustering data storage capacity on one site and the limited number of alternative suitable sites.
Apple’s proposal is also located within the strategic economic corridor identified by the Galway County Development Plan.
Furthermore, Bord Pleanála said the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities or have a significant adverse effect on the ecology of the area.
Concerns had been raised over the impact on the local environment and wildlife as well as fears over the data centre’s energy use.
The project, which will help Apple meet the huge demand for data arising from its array of services, will create 300 roles during construction.
Some 150 workers will subsequently be employed at the data centre once fully operational.