Schroders Greencoat, the energy transition infrastructure manager of Schroders Capital, has launched a green digital infrastructure development platform and made its first investment by acquiring a brownfield industrial site in Ireland planned for a data centre project.
The investment marks the firm’s entry into green digital infrastructure and centres on a site in Drogheda, County Louth, with planning consent for a 36MW data centre.
The platform is a 50:50 joint venture between Schroders Capital Semi-Liquid Global Energy Infrastructure and Greencoat Renewables and will focus on developing green energy data centres and energy parks, initially in Ireland.
Schroders Greencoat said energy supply and power management are among the most complex elements of digital infrastructure development, covering generation, grid connections, storage and balancing.
The site, the former Premier Periclase facility around 40km north of Dublin, will be developed as the Drogheda Energy Park, combining flexible power generation, energy storage and grid services. Electricity demand for the data centre is expected to be met through renewable energy through corporate power purchase agreements.
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The launch of the Irish government’s Large Energy-Users Action Plan aims to enable further development of digital infrastructure while managing pressure on the electricity grid and supporting national climate objectives, said the asset manager.
Paul O’Donnell, partner at Schroders Greencoat, said: “There is an exciting opportunity in integrating data centre demand with renewable energy generation to support the rapid growth of AI-driven digital infrastructure. Drogheda Energy Park represents a logical next step for our business and a blueprint for future investment opportunities.“Ireland is at the start of the next digital infrastructure investment cycle, supported by innovative new Government policy. AI-driven demand for data centres, combined with the need to deliver sustainable energy solutions to support the national grid, calls for trusted, experienced operators who can deliver on Ireland’s energy needs at scale.”
Duncan Hale, portfolio manager, Schroders Greencoat, said:“The Semi-Liquid Global Energy Infrastructure Fund continues to grow, and we’re delighted to build on this momentum with our investment into Schroders Greencoat’s green digital infrastructure platform. We established the Fund to enable access to the energy transition for a broader range of investors; today marks the next milestone, as we unlock opportunities emerging at the intersection of digital growth and clean energy. This is an exciting step, and we look forward to further capturing opportunities that bring together our expertise and relationships.”
