Planning Permission Unlocks Greencoat’s Green Data Hub
Struggling Irish data centre developers rejoice: planning permission fast-tracks a 36MW green powerhouse in Drogheda.
Schroders Greencoat has unveiled a dedicated green digital infrastructure platform to fund renewable-powered data centres amid surging AI demands. The initiative kicks off with the purchase of a brownfield site in Drogheda, Ireland, which holds planning permission for an initial 36MW facility. This move positions the platform as a pioneer in merging clean energy with high-power digital needs.
The new venture operates as a 50:50 joint partnership between Greencoat Renewables and Schroders Greencoat’s evergreen fund, SCSL Global Energy Infrastructure. Developers target sites boasting strong grid connections, available land, and robust energy setups to fuel expanding digital operations. Drogheda Energy Park emerges as the flagship project on a former industrial plot near Drogheda Port in County Louth, roughly 40km north of Dublin.
At Drogheda, the site transforms into a comprehensive energy park incorporating on-site renewable generation, energy storage, and grid support services. Electricity will flow from corporate power purchase agreements with renewable producers, ensuring sustainable supply for the 36MW data centre and potential expansions. This blueprint supports large-scale users while bolstering Ireland’s grid stability.
The platform dovetails with Ireland’s Large Energy-Users Action Plan, a policy framework that ties digital expansion to renewable integration and climate goals. Paul O’Donnell, Partner at Schroders Greencoat, highlighted the synergy: integrating data centre loads with green energy generation fuels AI growth. He views Drogheda as a model for upcoming investments across Ireland and Europe, leveraging proven renewable expertise.
Ireland stands poised for a digital infrastructure boom, propelled by government strategies and the push for net-zero progress. Trusted operators like Schroders Greencoat step up to deliver scalable solutions that enhance energy security and digital capabilities. The platform eyes more opportunities where An Bord Pleanála decision equivalents secure sites blending land, power, and grid readiness, much like Drogheda’s advanced approvals.
Greencoat Renewables, listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM, Euronext Dublin, and Johannesburg’s AltX, builds on its renewable portfolio. Recent activities included selling a 116MW Irish asset bundle for €156m and acquiring a Spanish project. Despite softer winds in 2025, the firm generated €114.6m in cash, underscoring operational strength amid Europe’s challenges.
This launch signals a shift: renewable specialists now tackle the colossal power appetites of hyperscale data centres. By prioritising brownfield redevelopment, the approach minimises greenfield impacts, aligning with environmental impact considerations in flood-risk development zones near ports. Future parks could incorporate battery storage to smooth grid demands, echoing housing scheme approval rigour in infrastructure consents.
Ronan Murphy, Greencoat Renewables’ non-executive chairman, noted solid 2025 performance against low wind conditions. The platform extends this resilience into digital realms, promising high-impact projects that propel Ireland’s energy transition.
Originally reported in reNews – Renewable Energy News on Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:58:42 +0000. [Full story]
