Ireland is reasserting its position in the global data center market through a major investment by Meta, which is developing a €1.2 billion facility in Clonee, County Meath. The project marks a strategic shift after years of stagnation in infrastructure growth.
- Meta’s Clonee data center project totals €1.2 billion in investment
- Project spans 300,000 sqm and will launch full operations by Q4 2029
- Expected to generate 300 permanent jobs and €380 million in indirect economic impact
- Includes 25 MW on-site solar capacity to support sustainability goals
- Part of Ireland’s National Digital Infrastructure Strategy to expedite approvals
Ireland is making a significant push to reclaim its foothold in the European data center industry, fueled by Meta’s landmark investment in a new facility located in Clonee, County Meath. The site, spanning over 300,000 square meters, will house multiple high-capacity data halls designed to support AI and cloud computing workloads. Construction began in late 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-2028, with full operational capacity targeted by Q4 2029. The Clonee project represents a €1.2 billion capital commitment from Meta, positioning it as one of the largest technology infrastructure developments in Ireland’s history. This move follows a period of slowed data center expansion across the country, driven by rising energy costs, regulatory scrutiny over grid capacity, and competition from Nordic nations like Sweden and Finland. With this project, Ireland aims to leverage existing EU digital infrastructure frameworks and its proximity to transatlantic fiber networks to attract further foreign tech investment. The development is projected to create approximately 650 direct jobs during construction and 300 permanent technical and operations roles upon completion. Additionally, local suppliers are expected to benefit from a total indirect economic impact estimated at €380 million over the project lifecycle. Energy demand for the facility will be met through a combination of grid upgrades and on-site renewable generation, including a 25 MW solar array planned for integration by 2027. Market analysts note that the Clonee project could catalyze renewed interest from other hyperscalers, potentially unlocking additional investments in adjacent regions such as Dublin and Cork. The Irish government has already initiated a streamlined permitting process for future data center projects under its National Digital Infrastructure Strategy, aiming to reduce approval timelines by up to 40% compared to pre-2025 benchmarks. This initiative also underscores broader trends in Europe’s digital economy, where data centers are increasingly seen as critical national infrastructure rather than mere utility hubs. As AI adoption accelerates across sectors, the demand for secure, low-latency compute capacity continues to outpace supply in key Western European markets.