Equinix declined planning permission by South Dublin County Council for gas-powered data center

The South Dublin County Council has denied Equinix’s request for planning permission for a gas-powered data center.

Originally, the site was to be powered by electricity, but so far, it has failed to secure a commercial or technical offer for permanent supply; this is what has led to its pivot to gas and subsequent appeal for new planning permission.

According to Equinix, it has been verbally confirmed by ESB that it can make a proposal to supply power for six to eight years.

However, the council refused Equinix, concluding that Equinix has failed to demonstrate that the proposed development has an appropriate grid connection. The refusal was also based on:

The existing insufficient capacity in the electricity grid,
The lack of significant on-site renewable energy and
Its reliance on a gas.

Brock McClure, the planning consultant for Equinix, reportedly told the Council that Equinix’s four operating Dublin-based data center sites “have become the gateway to the US as US-based content companies must host EU customs data within Europe.”

Further, it claims that the project will not have an impact on the grid in the short to medium term. That said, it did note that “there is uncertainty around the timing of grid connection”.

It has not yet been shared whether Equinix will appeal the decision.