Echelon DUB20 Data Center Campus: Ireland's 100MW Sustainable Hyperscale Hub
Status: Operational / Active Expansion Phase | Location: Avoca River Park, Vale Road, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Project Overview
Echelon’s DUB20 Data Center Campus in Arklow is a flagship sustainable digital infrastructure development designed to support Ireland’s rapidly expanding hyperscale cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. Strategically located in County Wicklow, the campus provides 100 MW of total grid capacity, making it one of the country’s largest next-generation data center developments. A defining feature of DUB20 is its dedicated 220 kV private transmission substation, the first of its kind in Ireland, directly integrated into the national electricity transmission network, providing resilient, high-capacity power infrastructure for mission-critical operations and future expansion. Purpose-built for hyperscale cloud providers, enterprise customers, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments, the campus is engineered to support high-density AI and machine learning (ML) workloads with liquid cooling readiness, enabling the deployment of advanced GPU clusters and next-generation compute platforms. Sustainability is central to the campus design, with operations powered by 100% renewable electricity while incorporating an integrated gas-fired backup and peaking energy center together with battery energy storage systems to enhance grid stability, operational resilience, and energy security. The campus also benefits from extensive fiber connectivity, providing ultra-low-latency network routes to Dublin, the United Kingdom, and major continental European connectivity hubs, enabling seamless access to leading cloud platforms, internet exchanges, and enterprise networks. Combining scalable power infrastructure, AI-ready design, renewable energy integration, and exceptional regional connectivity, Echelon’s DUB20 Data Center Campus provides a future-ready digital infrastructure platform supporting Ireland’s continued leadership in cloud computing, AI innovation, and digital transformation.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Echelon DUB20 Data Center Campus: Ireland's 100MW Sustainable Hyperscale Hub |
| Location | Avoca River Park, Vale Road, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland |
| Status | Operational / Active Expansion Phase |
| Commissioning | Initial Phase Go-Live: 2022–2023 / Phased Expansion Buildout (2024–2026+) |
| Total IT Load | ~90 MW Critical IT Power Allocation |
| Total Capacity | 100 MW Total Utility Capacity across a 45,000 m² (~484,000 sq ft) multi-building footprint |
| Tier Level | Tier III Certified Architecture / ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, BREEAM Excellent Platform |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Hyperscale, High-Density AI-Ready Colocation & Sustainable Energy Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Arklow |
| Population | Approx. 14,000 |
| Urban Agglomeration | N/A (Part of Greater Dublin Influence) |
| City GDP | High Regional Employment (Industrial/Port) |
| Per Capita Income | High (Dublin Commuter/Industrial Belt) |
| City Tier | Tier 2/Satellite Data Center Hub |
| Key Strengths | Fully permitted land, secured major power connection, proximity to subsea cable landing points, renewable energy potential |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Developer / Operator | Echelon Data Centres |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | EirGrid (Electricity Transmission Grid Operator) & ESB Networks |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized European & Irish Mission-Critical EPC Contractors |
| MEP Engineering | Echelon Data Centres In-House Global Engineering & Infrastructure Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Carrier-neutral platform with dual diverse underground fiber entrance vaults; multi-tenant Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs); direct low-latency dark fiber backhaul to Dublin's major carrier hotels and subsea cable landing stations (connecting to the UK, Europe, and the US). |
| Power Infrastructure | Dedicated on-site 220kV high-voltage grid substation, static 2N / N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, automated switchgear, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and standby diesel/gas generator plants. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 100 MW Secured Grid Utility Power Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | 2N / N+1 Static Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Configuration |
| Cooling System | Closed-loop indirect air/evaporative cooling system operating with minimal water usage, Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC) readiness for high-density GPU racks (up to 50–100+ kW/rack), and waste-heat recovery integration. |
| Connectivity | Carrier-neutral host offering direct low-latency cloud express on-ramps and cross-connect options across European and global networks. |
| PUE Target | < 1.20 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | 100% Green Renewable Energy contractually matched, supported by an on-site grid-positive energy management strategy. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Announcement | 2019 / Strategic Buildout Phases |
| Construction Start | 2020 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational (2022–2023) |
| Full Buildout | Operational Active Campus Expansion |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Total Investment | Estimated €350,000,000 EUR to €500,000,000 EUR Campus Investment |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure & Infrastructure Financing by Echelon Data Centres / Starwood Capital Group |