BUSINESS

Apple objector turns sights on Microsoft

Microsoft European Product Development Centre in Ireland
Microsoft European Product Development Centre in Ireland

A Dublin architect who has objected to data centre developments by Apple, Facebook and Amazon has turned his attention to plans by Microsoft to expand its data facilities in the capital.

The software giant wants permission from South Dublin county council for an 18MW gas-fuelled generator to power a new data centre at Grange Castle business park in the west of the city. It would be a stopgap measure for three years “in advance of the upgrade of electricity infrastructure locally” by Eirgrid, said Microsoft.

In an observation to the local authority, however, the conservation architect David Hughes said the 18MW demand was “roughly half of the electrical demand of all of the housing in Cork city”.

Hughes said Microsoft should partner with Bord Gais