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Data centre · South Dublin · 53.3221, -6.4470

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Microsoft Grange Castle

operating Microsoft Our classification · status

155 MW
Average grid draw, 2025
up to ≈17.7% of the CSO data-centre total (upper bound)
1,135 MWth
On-site generation licensed
backup-diesel, gas-flex
19.5 ha
Building footprint mapped
12 buildings · OSM
€12.4m
Estimated rates a year
NAV €44.2m
2017
First completion certificate
Grid connection. Flexible (DUB15 gas plant runs for grid demand reduction). "The gas generation plant will operate for up to 8 hours a day, during peak demand periods, 365 days a year" (EPA P1187-01: P1187-01 (DUB14-15) AER 2024 Final.pdf, p.9)

Why we say it's operating

  • EPA P1187: on-site generators licensed and in use (Licensable Activity Commenced)
  • EPA P1190: on-site generators licensed and in use (Licensable Activity Commenced)
  • EPA P1191: on-site generators licensed and in use (Licensable Activity Commenced)
  • Valuation list: property 10030124 rated as DATA CENTRE
  • Valuation list: property 5016977 rated as DATA CENTRE
  • Valuation list: property 5009085 rated as DATA CENTRE
  • Valuation list: property 5020591 rated as DATA CENTRE
  • Valuation list: property 5020592 rated as DATA CENTRE

What's next on this site

  • permitted: Planning SD17A/0318: unstarted, permission live
  • permitted: Planning SD21A/0288: unstarted, permission live
  • permitted: Planning SD20A/0283/EP: unstarted, permission live
  • permitted: Planning SD25A/0071W: unstarted (live permission, no commencement notice) (expires 2030-06-24)
  • permitted: Planning SD24A/0188W: unstarted (live permission, no commencement notice) (expires 2029-11-07)
  • permitted: Planning SD25A/0017W: unstarted (live permission, no commencement notice) (expires 2030-05-05)

Who runs it

  • EPA licensee 'Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited'
  • OSM operator tag 'Microsoft'
  • planning applicant
  • planning applicant 'Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited'
  • some records attributed by co-location only (no operator in their own source)
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

Generators and power

EPA licenceStatusRoleMWthPlantPermitted hours
P1187Licensed · Licensable Activity Commencedgas-flex342.822 x 7.6 MWth gas engines (167.2 MWth) for grid demand reduction + 20 x 8.66 MWth diesel + 1 x 2.4 MWth admin generatorGas engines: up to 8 h/day when grid operator requests demand reduction; diesel: 200 h/yr, <=181.86 MWth simultaneously
P1190Licensed · Licensable Activity Commencedbackup-diesel212.5838 x 5.46 MWth diesel + 3 x 1.7 MWth admin generators (plus 2 x 0.5 MWth fire pumps)Data-hall generators 200 h/yr, admin generators 100 h/yr
P1191Licensed · Licensable Activity Commencedbackup-diesel579.2895 diesel generators, 1.29-7.51 MWth each200 h/yr (admin generators 100 h/yr)

What the annual environmental reports say

YearLicenceGrid MW avgOn-site fuel GJFull-load hours
2023*P11871.31160.1
2024P118712.71,7941.5
2025P118725.96,9615.6
2023*P119014.31,6112.1
2024P119025.63,2904.3
2025P119024.53,7044.8
2023*P119152.52,1101
2024P1191101.96,0872.9
2025P1191104.18,3304

* part year. Full-load hours = fuel burned ÷ the whole fleet at full load, a derived figure.

What the planning and licence documents say

Whole Microsoft Grange Castle campus across three EPA IE licences: P1190 (DUB3-5), P1191 (DUB6-13) and P1187 (DUB14-15, with gas engines); campus totals are summed across licences (derived).

SpecValueQuote and source
Connection termsflexible (DUB15 gas plant runs for grid demand reduction)"The gas generation plant will operate for up to 8 hours a day, during peak demand periods, 365 days a year" EPA P1187-01: P1187-01 (DUB14-15) AER 2024 Final.pdf, p.9
DUB14-15 only; to meet the utilities' flexible demand policy. Other buildings: standard grid connection, backup diesel.
On-site generationbackup diesel generators (DUB3-15) + gas engines for grid demand reduction (DUB15)"A standby gas generation plant (consisting of 22 gas engines) will be installed and operated when the grid operator requires a reduction in demand" EPA P1187-01: Inspector's Report, p.2
22 gas engines serve DUB15; 21 diesel generators serve DUB14; DUB3-5 and DUB6-13 have diesel backup only.
Generating units179 units (derived)"There are 95 diesel generators and associated sub-station infrastructure." EPA P1191-01: IR-LA010454, p.3
derived: 95 (P1191 DUB6-13) + 41 diesel (P1190 DUB3-5, IR p2) + 43 (P1187 DUB14-15: 22 gas engines + 21 diesel, IR p4) = 179. Excludes fire pumps and <1 MWth units.
On-site thermal input1,134.7 MWth (derived)"The total capacity is 579.28 MWth." EPA P1191-01: IR-LA010454, p.3
derived: 579.28 (P1191) + 212.58 (P1190, IR p3) + 342.8 (P1187, IR p4: 22x7.6 gas + 20x8.66 + 1x2.4 diesel) = 1,134.66 MWth.
Fueldiesel/HVO (backup); natural gas (DUB15 engines)"The increase in 2025 reflects the full transition of all generators associated with this licence to HVO operation" EPA P1191-01: AER P1191 Final 31-3-26.pdf, p.16
HVO across P1190 and P1191 in 2025; P1187 first burned natural gas in 2025 (4,480.61 GJ, AER p15).
Running hoursdiesel 200 h/yr (admin 100 h/yr); DUB15 gas engines up to 8 h/day"The RD limits the operation of diesel generators to 200 hours per year" EPA P1187-01: Inspector's Report, p.14
Same 200 h/yr limit for data-hall generators in P1190 (IR p11) and P1191 (IR p11); gas engines expected up to 8 h/day, 365 days (IR p2).
Coolingevaporative (free-air cooling with evaporative assist <5% of year)"The evaporative cooling system for the data halls operates in two modes; free cooling and evaporative cooling." EPA P1191-01: IR-LA010454, p.12
Same design at DUB3-5 and DUB14-15 (rainwater-fed at DUB14-15).
Water44.3 m3/day (derived)"Public Supply 4557.10 -18.59%" EPA P1191-01: AER P1191 Final 31-3-26.pdf, p.18
derived: 2025 water use 4,557.10 (P1191) + 8,674.58 (P1190, AER p18) + 2,919.50 (P1187, AER p18) = 16,151.18 m3/yr / 365 = 44.25 m3/day average.
PhasingDUB3-5 2008-13; DUB6-13 2014-22; DUB14-15 from 2023"DUB 6 in 2014, DUB 7 and 8 from 2016 and DUB 9, 10, 12 and 13 in the period between 2018 and 2022" EPA P1191-01: IR-LA010454, p.2
DUB3 c.2008, DUB4 c.2012, DUB5 c.2013 (P1190 IR p2).
DatesDUB14 live 2023-24; DUB15 phased commissioning 2024-25+"The remainder of DUB14 went live in 2024 with 2 data halls in DUB 15 going live in 2024." EPA P1187-01: P1187-01 (DUB14-15) AER 2024 Final.pdf, p.9
DUB14 first data hall live 24 July 2023; rest of DUB15 still under construction/commissioning per 2024 AER; continued phased deployment in 2025 (AER 2025 p16).
Heat reuseprovision for heat-recovery coils / district heating at DUB14-15 (not yet built)"the cooling system at the installation can be amended to accommodate the installation of heat recovery coils and an underground waste heat primary circuit" EPA P1187-01: Inspector's Report, p.19
Also a 2023 feasibility study on reusing DB3 data-hall waste heat on site (P1190 AER 2023 p41).
Renewablessmall on-site PV (50.6 GJ in 2025 at DUB6-13); HVO in generators"Renewable energy produced onsite increased by 32.4% with 50.6 GJ generated from PV panels." EPA P1191-01: AER P1191 Final 31-3-26.pdf, p.16
No PPA/CPPA stated in the listed EPA documents.

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

ReceivedRefWhatDecisionBuilt?
2026-05-27SD20A/0283/EP
Demolition of existing single storey vacant house, garage and outhouse (total gross floor area (GFA) c.291.2sq.m) and removal of existing temporary construction car park; Construction of a single 1-4 storey Central Administration Building and 2 2-storey (with mezzanine) data centres (DUB14 & DUB15) all to be located west of data centres DUB9, DUB10, DUB12 & DUB13 within the MS campus; The Central Administration Building (c.6.03m to c.19.85m high) will comprise central office administration, with staff cafeteria, staff gym and reception (GFA c.3,520sq.m), with provision of PV panels on the roof
Grant Extension of Duration of Permissionunstarted, permission live
2026-01-13ED26/0001
The proposed works consist of the erection of 6 No. platforms at the DUB07, DUB 09, DUB13, and DUB14 data centres at Grange Castle Business Park for the purpose of monitoring flue emissions.
Declared Exemptdeclaration
2025-07-09ED25/0053
The erection of 3. no platforms at the DB03 and DB04 data centres for the purpose of monitoring flue emissions.
Declared Exemptdeclaration
2024-10-30ED24/0060
Implementation and use of 13 no. temporary replacement generators at the Dub15 Data Centre building within the Microsoft Campus to operate the data hall until the recently permitted Gas Network Ireland (GNI) Skid (SDCC Reg Ref. SD24A/0019) is constructed and operational.
Declared Not Exemptdeclaration
2021-10-21SD21A/0288
Erect 329sq.m or 67.34 KWp of photovoltaic panels on the roof of the building DUB12 in data centre; all associated site works.
Grant Permissionunstarted, permission live
2021-10-13SD21A/0203
Modifications and minor additions to previously approved scheme (Planning Register Reference SD20A/0283) at this site of c.16.23ha (in total) comprising of the following changes to previously approved scheme SD20A/0283; Approved Central Administration Building (CAB), relocation of building to the east by approx. 7m; reconfiguration and setting out of building plans at all levels (including roof level) resulting in increase in building footprint of approximately 170sq.m (from 1,424sq.m to 1,594sq.m) associated changes to building elevations (design and finishes); approved single storey Cafeteri
Grant Permissioncompleted (completion certificate)
2021-02-01SD20A/0283
Demolition of existing single storey vacant house, garage and outhouse (total gross floor area (GFA) c.291.2sq.m) and removal of existing temporary construction car park; Construction of a single 1-4 storey Central Administration Building and 2 2-storey (with mezzanine) data centres (DUB14 & DUB15) all to be located west of data centres DUB9, DUB10, DUB12 & DUB13 within the MS campus; The Central Administration Building (c.6.03m to c.19.85m high) will comprise central office administration, with staff cafeteria, staff gym and reception (GFA c.3,520sq.m), with provision of PV panels on the roof
Grant Permissioncompleted (completion certificate)
2017-09-06SD17A/0318
The provision of temporary (3 years) 18MW gas powered electricity generator compound to provide electricity to the DUB08 data centre located within the Microsoft Data Centre Campus.
Grant Permissionunstarted, permission live
2016-03-18SD16A/0088
Site enabling works including demolition of existing vacant house and outbuildings (total floor area c.241sq.m), diversion of Baldonnel stream, provision of below ground attenuation. Development of 4 single storey data centres (DUB09, DUB10, DUB12, DUB13) located west of data centres DUB06 (existing), DUB07 & DUB08 (both granted under SD15A/0343), each data centre will contain the following: offices, computer and associated support areas, electrical component rooms, plant and associated equipment, plant at roof level and 5 flues each (each c.25m high) (gross floor area of each data centre c.17
Grant Permissioncompleted (completion certificate)
2015-11-17SD15A/0343
Provision of 2 single storey data centres (DUB07 & DUB08) immediately west of existing data centre (DUB06). These data centres replace 6 buildings permitted under SD14A/0194. Each data centre will contain the following; offices, computer and associated support areas, electrical component rooms, plant and associated equipment, 5 flues (each c.25m high), plant at roof level. Gross floor area of each c.16,900sq.m (c.33,800sq.m in total). The height of each data centre will range between c.6.5m & c.13m high. Also proposed are ancillary site works for connection to infrastructural services, as well
Grant Permissioncompleted (completion certificate)
2015-09-18SD15A/0133
Construction of a single storey data centre, with offices (of circa. 1,560sq.m), storage space, computer and associated support areas, electrical component rooms, loading dock area (the building having a total gross floor area of c.7,609sq.m), roof plant and externally a generator compound (635sq.m), evaporative cooling tank, (150m3) & associated pump house (c.75sq.m), ESB sub station (c.68sq.m), drivers toilet (c.5sq.m), smoking shelter and carparking and bicycle facilities for the sole and only use of Microsoft Operations Ireland Ltd. in connection with this installation. For site safety pur
Grant Permissioncompleted (completion certificate)
2013-12-20SD13A/0265
Construction of a single data centre with plant at roof level (total gross floor area 35,000 sq.m. as the approved SD13A/0143 scheme). The single change between the approved SD13A/0143 and this application being that the finished floor level is now proposed to be 71.00 OD and not 69.00 OD as per the approved - as a result of this change the heights of the permitted flues, 93.85 OD will be 95.85 OD but will remain 25 metres tall as per SD13A/0143). Otherwise the proposed development remains as the granted SD13A/0143 and comprises of the following uses : - offices, computer and associated suppor
Grant Permissionlapsed without commencement notice
2013-08-16SD13A/0166
Proposed single storey 74sq.m. extension to the south-east entrance of the existing DB3 Data Centre; the extension will house a proposed conference room with supporting storage and tea station, while the scope of works will also include alterations to the existing entrance lobby, security lobby and WC; alterations will include the removal of an existing conference room, the relocation of the primary access door from the north-east to the south-east facade; the installation of additional glazed curtain walling and insulated metal cladding to match existing and the provision of separate male and
Grant Permissionpre-BCMS (no notice expected)
2013-07-19SD13A/0143
Construction of a single storey data centre with plant at roof level (total gross floor area 35000sq.m.) which comprises the following uses: offices, computer and associated support areas, electrical component rooms, plant and associated equipment and new three string 110KV transformer of 974sq.m. for the sole and only use of Microsoft Ireland in connection with this installation. For site safety purposes the provision of sprinkler tanks of 670m3 and associated tank pump room of 69sq.m. are also proposed. Also included are ancillary site works for connection to existing Grange Caste infrastruc
Grant Permissionpre-BCMS (no notice expected)
2013-02-06SD13A/0015
Construction of a single storey data centre with plant at roof level (total gross floor area 15,825sq.m.) which comprises the following uses: offices, computer and associated support areas, electrical component rooms, plant and associated equipment and new ground level link between the proposed and the existing buildings; also included are ancillary site works for connection to existing infrastructural services (installed under granted permission SD07A/0632), fencing, signage, perimeter services road around the building, 17 no. car parking spaces along with disabled car parking spaces for serv
Grant Permissionpre-BCMS (no notice expected)
2011-09-02SD11A/0211
Construction of a single storey data centre with external plant at roof and ground level adjoining existing two storey, with roof plant, data centre consisting of a total gross floor area of 11090sq.m. approx. comprising office area, loading area, storage areas, customer and associated support areas with external support plant to be constructed in two phases. The development includes the completion of internal roadwork with additional car parking for four cars; surface water drainage, foul sewage system, sprinkler mains and external landscaping shall be completed in accordance with previously
Grant Permissionpre-BCMS (no notice expected)
2007-08-03SD07A/0632
Construction in two phases of a two storey data centre with plant at roof level (total gross floor area 51,155sqm) which comprises the following uses: offices; computer and associated support and workshop areas; loading docks and storage of electrical components; plant and equipment. Ancillary site works will include parking for 80 no. cars; site lighting an 110kv electrical compound (5,408sqm enclosure); associated plant; fencing; an access bridge and signage from the Technology Park road; a perimeter service road around the building, berming and landscaping. This planning application is for
Grant Permissionpre-BCMS (no notice expected)
Appeal 300305 (SD17A/0318) · invalid, 2017-11-22

Sources for this page

osm:way/438036943 · osm:way/513703429 · osm:way/538906747 · osm:way/709103324 · osm:way/438036944 · osm:way/743741624 · osm:way/709123322 · osm:way/743741623 · osm:way/1182712205 · osm:way/1107158568 · osm:way/1003210055 · osm:way/590813740 · epa:P1187 · epa:P1190 · epa:P1191 · valuation:10030124 · valuation:5016977 · valuation:5009085 · valuation:5020591 · valuation:5020592 · valuation:5020593 · valuation:5020594 · valuation:10030147 · valuation:5013950 · planning:SDCC/SD07A/0632 · planning:SDCC/SD11A/0211 · planning:SDCC/SD13A/0015 · planning:SDCC/SD13A/0143 · planning:SDCC/SD13A/0166 · planning:SDCC/SD13A/0265 · planning:SDCC/SD15A/0133 · planning:SDCC/SD15A/0343 · planning:SDCC/SD16A/0088 · planning:SDCC/SD17A/0318 · planning:SDCC/SD20A/0283 · planning:SDCC/SD21A/0203 · planning:SDCC/SD21A/0288 · planning:SDCC/ED24/0060 · planning:SDCC/ED25/0053 · planning:SDCC/ED26/0001 · planning:SDCC/SD20A/0283/EP · planning:SDCC/SD25A/0071W · planning:SDCC/SD24A/0188W · planning:SDCC/ED23/0037 · planning:SDCC/SD08A/0496 · planning:SDCC/SD09A/0376 · planning:SDCC/SD25A/0017W · planning:SDCC/SD14A/0194 · planning:SDCC/SD25A/0004W · planning:SDCC/SD16A/0087 · acp:300305

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.

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