Bord na Móna has announced that Amazon Web Services (AWS) will become the first business to join its Eco Energy Park in the Midlands, Ireland, subject to regulatory and planning consent.
The semi state player said it is investing significantly in this first Eco Energy Park to deliver wind and solar power, flexible generation to support grid resiliency when required, as well as developing new electricity grid connections.
This Eco Energy Park will allow Bord na Móna to support large-scale industrial growth and development in Ireland, enhancing the national grid, the company said.
The parks will co-locate large companies like AWS, with a range of renewable energy technologies, helping them to deliver low-carbon growth in their operations, while contributing to associated enterprise, community initiatives, local amenities, and the local natural environment.
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.
As part of this agreement, AWS will also invest in up to 800MW of new renewable energy projects in Ireland, with today’s announcement marking AWS’s first 105MW PPA with Bord na Móna for Derrinlough Wind Farm, located in Co Offaly.
This additional PPA will further support Amazon’s commitment to match all electricity powering of its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years ahead of their original target of 2030.
Launched in 2021, Bord na Móna’s Eco Energy Park offering is transforming approximately 3,000ha across Bord na Móna’s landbank in the coming years, and will be designed to enhance Ireland’s security of energy supply, supporting the delivery of several of the State’s climate, renewable energy and enterprise objectives.
Each Park will generate sufficient renewable energy to power a number of sectors that play an important role in Ireland’s social and economic development, such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical, agrifood, ICT, transport, green hydrogen derived E-Fuels and logistics.
Bord na Móna’s Eco Energy Parks 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.
Chief executive Tom Donnellan said: “We are delighted to be working with Amazon Web Services at our first Bord na Móna Eco Energy Park.
“As one of Ireland’s leading renewable energy providers we are committed to delivering innovative and sustainable ways for leading businesses across a range of sectors to decarbonise their operations.
“We are investing significantly in our Eco Energy Park offering in the Midlands, which will provide associated benefits for the area that will positively impact employment, the environment, infrastructure, communities, and local businesses.
“We can co-locate these large companies with our renewable energy assets to offer a sustainable pathway to grid capacity that is backed up with Flexible Technology power as required.
“This is just the beginning, and we look forward to welcoming Amazon Web Services and other leading organisations from sectors like manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and ICT among others to join the Bord na Móna Eco Energy Park in the coming years.”
Director of energy for EMEA at AWS Lindsay McQuade added: “Transitioning to carbon-free energy sources is one of the most impactful ways to lower carbon emissions, and is part of our Climate Pledge commitment to reach net zero carbon across our operations by 2040.
“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 100% renewable energy by 2025-five years ahead of our original target of 2030.
“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.”