Data centre · Galway County · 53.2895, -8.8265

Apple Athenry

permitted Apple Our classification · status

30 MW

Stated maximum demand

planning documents · a ceiling, not use

Not available for this site: measured grid draw (no EPA annual report: only sites with ≥50 MWth of plant file one); mapped footprint; rates (no valuation-list entry matched).

Why we say it's permitted

Planning 211047: unstarted, permission live

Who runs it

planning applicant 'Apple Distribution International' -> Apple (operator; high-confidence entity link from planning); lifecycle: unchecked: Apple's Athenry site (general knowledge)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

What the planning and licence documents say

Phase 1 single data hall (PL07.245518, granted 2016) of an 8-hall masterplan; never built.

Spec	Value	Quote and source
Electrical demand	30 MW	"Confirmation submitted from Eirgrid that the network can accommodate the 30MW demand." ACP 245518 inspector report, p.10 phase 1 (1 of 8 halls); objectors cite 240MW full build-out
Grid voltage	220 kV	"There is a concurrent application for the construction of a 220kv substation located to the north west of the proposed data centre building" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.4
Connection point	new on-site 220kV substation connecting to Cashla-Tynagh and Cashla-Prospect 220kV lines (07.VA0020)	"passes close to the north east corner of the site these being the Cashla to Tynagh and the Cashla to Prospect lines" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.4
On-site generation	backup diesel generators	"The development proposes the provision of 18 no. standby diesel generators" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.5
Generating units	18 units	"The development proposes the provision of 18 no. standby diesel generators" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.5 phase 1; 18 per hall in 8-hall masterplan
On-site output	36 MW (derived)	"each generator has a rated output of 2MW" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.5 derived: 18 generators x 2MW
Fuel	diesel	"The development proposes the provision of 18 no. standby diesel generators" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.5
Cooling	air (ambient cooling)	"adequate air circulation for successful ambient cooling is achieved" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.54
Floor area	24,505 m2	"comprising a 24,505 sq metre single storey data centre building" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.5 data hall only; plus 5,232m2 logistics/admin
Data halls	1 halls	"Site Masterplan Drawing (14294.0000) which shows the overall future layout of the site with a total of 8 no. data halls" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.6 1 hall applied for; 8 in masterplan
Phasing	phase 1 of 8-hall masterplan	"Site Masterplan Drawing (14294.0000) which shows the overall future layout of the site with a total of 8 no. data halls" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.6
Dates	granted 2016; extension of duration to 04/08/2026; project abandoned	"Expiry Date: 04/08/2026" GalwayCC ePlan register entry 211047 (development description), p.1 abandonment from campus record, not this doc
Renewables	100% renewable objective via purchase of renewable energy (no specific PPA)	"objective of 100 percent renewable sources will be met by the use of efficient technologies, support for renewable energy generation projects and the purchase" ACP 245518 inspector report, p.10

Every value is quoted from the document and page cited; the quote was checked against that page's text. "Derived" means the reader worked it out from stated figures (shown in the quote). Planning and licence figures are design or permitted values, not measured use; values derived from an EPA annual environmental report (AER), mostly water, are reported use for that year. The note under each quote gives the scope and whether a demand figure is a maximum or an average.

Planning history

Received	Ref	What	Decision	Built?
2021-06-14	211047	to construct the following: a 24,505sqm single storey data centre building, a 5232sqm single storey Logistics and Administration Building, a 289sqm single storey Maintenance Building, a 16sqm Security Hut and associated barriers, 2 number 48sqm Fibre Huts (max building eaves height = 10m), 18 external standby generators, all associated external plant, a 20kV Electricity Substation, contractor facilities, a main entrance including a new right turning lane, internal access roads and associated infrastructure, proprietary waste water treatment plants including percolation areas, mains water conne	UNCONDITIONAL	unstarted, permission live

Appeal 245518 (211047) · grant, 2016-08-11 · 30 MW stated

Grid: 220 kV · EirGrid letter 1 Jul 2015: 30MW can be accommodated without reinforcement

Issues: unzoned rural site · climate / CO2 of 8-hall build-out (~1.5% of national CO2) · grid capacity for later phases · project splitting (substation separate) · forest loss · generator noise and air

Board: Board granted 2016; Apple later abandoned the project (not in report).

"each generator has a rated output of 2MW" p.5

"Eirgrid also state that the 30MW load will not impact on local transmission and connection to the 220kv network" p.28

Sources for this page

planning:GALWAYCO/211047 · acp:245518

Joined from OpenStreetMap, the planning register, An Coimisiún Pleanála, EPA licences and annual reports, the Tailte Éireann valuation list and Building Control. Data built 2026-10-10.