Mayo Data Hub Limited received planning permission for data centre in Killala
Mayo County Council have granted planning permission for a data centre on the site of the old Asahi synthetic fibre plant in Killala despite concerns over energy consumption of the development.
Mayo Data Hub Limited were granted permission for the application to construct a data centre building at Tawnaghmore Upper and Mullaferry, Killala. The proposed data centre will have a gross floor area of 29,076 square metres across two levels and a maximum height of 22.7 metres. The data centre will include data halls, and associated electrical and mechanical plant rooms.
Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the development despite concerns that given the power usage required for data centres, it will not be sufficiently powered by on or off-site renewables, as per the requirements of Ireland's Climate Action Plan.
READ: Mayo University Hospital is a disaster for patients says local councillor
Renowned Mayo author Sally Rooney was among those who submitted objections to the development stating in her submission that 'in the effort to reduce carbon emissions to zero, we must prioritise and protect the use of electricity where it is really needed'.
“Electricity is nonetheless a basic necessity, powering our homes as well as our hospitals, schools and public facilities. In the effort to reduce carbon emissions to zero, we must prioritise and protect the use of electricity where it is really needed. Above all, we must avoid any unnecessary and wasteful energy consumption. We certainly should not allow private companies to burn fossil fuels simply for corporate profit,” she stated in her submission.
Mayo County Council planners raised concerns regarding the lack of energy from renewable sources that will be generated in the operation and running of the data centre.
In response the applicant acknowledged that the energy for the development will be secured from the national grid but argued that the grid is 'increasingly being sourced from renewable sources'.
The applicant also stated in its response to Mayo County Council that the development would be proximal to substantial renewable energy projects, both existing and planned, and the applicant would be willing to enter into Corporate Power Purchase agreements (CPPA) with renewable energy providers as and when these options become available. They also stated that back-up electricity generators on-site will be powered via Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to minimise environmental impacts.
The development is also located approximately 140 metres from Ballysakeery House and rectory and concerns were raised from the Council's Conservation Architect. Council planners stated in the planning report that the applicant has offered to renovate Ballyskeery House for public use however the Planning Authority stated they have no remit in this regard.
After reviewing the proposed application and the responses to further information, Mayo County Council planners granted planning permission subject to 12 conditions.
The development will also include provision for 56 car parking spaces, including 12 EV charging spaces, 20 cycle parking spaces as well as footpaths and cyclists infrastructure.
In January 2022, Mayo County Council approved the sale of two portions of land to Mayo Data Hub Ltd, for the purpose of the construction of a data centre.
The plot of 14.5 hectares of land at Tawnaghmore Upper, was sold for €790,000 excluding VAT and the plot at Mullafarry, was sold for €625,000 excluding VAT.
The sale was proposed by Killala-based Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly and seconded by Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Loftus and backed by the other elected members.
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