KEPPEL DC REIT
“ Data centres are critical to the digital world we operate in,” he says.“ We don’ t create the data – we provide the solutions and the infrastructure behind it.”
Integrating renewable energy Keppel DC REIT Ireland’ s approach to data centre innovation combines power purchase agreements( PPAs), on-site generation and energy storage systems to address both regulatory requirements and the REIT’ s environmental objectives.
In the past 12 months alone, Keppel DC REIT Ireland has executed three virtual power purchase agreements( VPPAs) in Ireland. These include a recommissioned wind farm in Ballybane, County Cork, which has generated 67 gigawatt-hours( GWh) of renewable energy, alongside two solar farms in Goresbridge in County Kilkenny and Gorey in County Wexford, which have contributed an additional 11GWh.
“ We are progressing with our fourth agreement, which will help us match our energy consumption with renewable sources on an hourly basis by mid 2025,” Gary notes.“ This would be ahead of industry targets, which are set for 2030.
“ We’ re currently working on two projects for 4MW battery energy storage as well, one on each of the sites. We have successfully introduced renewable energy into our Irish operations, but more importantly we are ensuring the renewable energy is generated on the same grid that it draws from.”
He adds:“ We don’ t buy guarantees of origin from other EU countries. It has to be on the Irish grid.”
“We ensure renewable energy is generated on the same grid we draw from”
GARY WATSON, COUNTRY MANAGER, KEPPEL DC REIT IRELAND
Utilising advanced cooling systems In response to increasing computational demands, including AI workloads, Keppel DC REIT Ireland has implemented more efficient cooling technologies to reduce energy consumption.
The modernisation programme at Keppel DC REIT Ireland’ s City West facility, which began in 2018, represents the company’ s approach to infrastructure upgrades. Traditional uninterruptible power supply( UPS) systems were replaced with modular units that scale with customer demand.
These changes formed part of a twoyear upgrade to the facility’ s cooling and electrical infrastructure, demonstrating a shift toward more adaptable data centre designs.
“ We looked at how we can become more efficient with our cooling infrastructure, how we work with our customers and what projects we can put in place to drive that,” Gary explains.“ We have significantly reduced water usage and have driven electricity usage down with the more efficient cooling technology.”
126 April 2025