Google to Build Major New Data Center in Dublin

google-servers

A Google admin works on a server inside a container in one of Google's early data centers. The company said Friday that it will build a $101 million data center in Dublin. (Source: Google).

Google will build a major new data center in Dublin, Ireland, the latest signal that the search giant is scaling up its infrastructure to deal with the next round of Internet growth. The company said today that it has acquired 11 acres of land and an existing building on Dublin’s Profile Park and will soon begin construction work on a highly energy-efficient data center.

Google says its expects to invest 75 million Euros (about $101 million) to complete the new facility, which expands upon its existing data center space in Dublin, which is leased from a third party. On Tuesday Google announced plans to expand its infrastructure in the build three new data centers in Asia, located in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On Thursday the company commenced operations at its newly-completed data center in Pryor, Oklahoma and announced plans to build a second facility at the site.

Google's announcements follow a similar series of expansions by Microsoft, which recently unveiled plans to expand its data center footprint in Virginia, Dublin and  Iowa.

Dublin Emerging as Major Cloud Hub
The new Google project further boosts Dublin's status as one of the world's major hubs for cloud computing infrastructure. Microsoft and Amazon already operate major cloud data centers in Dublin, and both are expanding their operations there. Dublin’s temperature is ideal for data center cooling, allowing companies to use fresh air to cool servers instead of using huge, power-hungry chillers to refrigerate cooling water.

Google operates some of the world's most efficient data centers, and has been a pioneer in building chiller-less data centers and facilities that take advantage of local climate. The company's new server farm in Hamina, Finland uses cold water from the Baltic Sea instead of using chillers.

Once operational, the Google data center will employ up to 30 people in a variety of full-time and contractor roles, including computer technicians, electrical and mechanical engineers, and catering and security staff. The construction project will employ about 200 workers, and the contractors have already been selected after taking part in a competitive bid process. Google already employs over 2,000 people in Dublin, and last year also bought three major office buildings in central Dublin, including Dublin’s tallest commercial office building, Montevetro.

Cloud As A Growth Opportunity
"The global cloud computing industry offers Ireland a massive opportunity for jobs and economic growth," said Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. "The decision by Google, one of the most important multinational companies in Ireland, to locate a state-of-the-art data centre in Dublin is an endorsement of our policies in this area, and a sign of what is possible if we continue our focus."

"We’re very happy to continue investing in Ireland and to build out our presence here even further," said John Herlihy, head of Google Ireland. "The new data centre will be one of the most energy-efficient in Google’s global fleet. This investment further strengthens our presence here, and I’d like to thank IDA Ireland for the assistance they gave us in selecting this site."