How Equinix's Energy Facility Will Create 200 Skilled Jobs

Equinix is committing up to US$700m to a new 150,000²-foot Hanley Energy facility in Dundalk, Co. Louth, creating an initial 200 skilled roles for engineers and technicians.

The production of critical power equipment is vital for next-generation data centres worldwide, which will accelerate following the facility's construction.

Investment at a glance

Equinix has structured an initial five-year agreement with a minimum of US$70m annually.

The new energy facility will act as a global manufacturing hub for specialised power equipment vital to Equinix’s high-performance and AI-driven data centre workloads.

It will produce low-voltage switchgear, Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and Remote Power Panels (RPPs), which are critical components for reliable, efficient power distribution in high-density environments.

The Prime Minister of Ireland (An Taiseach), Micheál Martin, heard the announcement in Dundalk that the initiative is designed to modernise digital infrastructure, while creating valuable jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

The manufacturing facility aims to support long-term economic growth in the Louth region, as the Irish jobs market experienced a 17% nationwide decline in 2025, according to FRS Recruitment.

Faster lead times and tighter supply chains

By co-locating design, manufacturing and testing under one roof, Equinix expects to improve lead times by 10-15% compared with traditional procurement, which reduces deployment risk and accelerates delivery across global markets.

The facility will include Ireland and the UK’s only temperature-controlled testing laboratory of its kind.

Hanley Energy’s site also houses the region’s only independent temperature rise test lab certified by Intertek as an Enhanced Level 3 Satellite Customer Testing Facility, a grade which ensures compliance and performance at the highest global standards.

Jobs, skills and training pipeline

Hiring is underway for an initial 200 engineers and technicians across precision engineering, quality assurance and lean manufacturing, with hundreds of skilled roles including apprenticeship training programs to be introduced.

“This significant announcement reinforces Ireland’s position as a leader in digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing,” says An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.

“The creation of hundreds of skilled jobs and the introduction of world-class facilities in Dundalk is a major boost for the region and for our national economy.”

Adaire Fox-Martin, CEO and President, Equinix, adds: “This investment builds upon Equinix’s long-time presence in Ireland and reflects the strategically important role the country plays in the global technology ecosystem.”

Sustainability by design

Construction by Hanley Energy will prioritise low-carbon materials and efficient build practices. Closer integration between design, build and test supports lifecycle transparency and continuous efficiency improvements, which are key as operators seek to decarbonise and enhance energy performance.

The move addresses global bottlenecks in power electronics as operators scale AI training clusters and ongoing cloud expansion. A predictable supply of switchgear and distribution assemblies helps keep critical power off the critical path for accelerated data centre builds.

Partnership momentum with Jabil Hanley Energy brings added manufacturing scale and industrial discipline to the programme.

“Partnering with Equinix on this transformative project highlights the strength of Irish engineering and innovation,” says John O’Driscoll, CCO at Hanley Energy.

Local impact, global reach

“This is a huge win for Ireland and the Louth region, highlighting the world-class engineering talent that Ireland continues to develop,” says Peter Lantry, Managing Director of Equinix Ireland.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, notes: "Today's announcement by Equinix demonstrates Ireland's continued attractiveness as a location for digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and global technology partnerships."

With enhanced testing capabilities and co-located engineering, quality and manufacturing teams, the Dundalk hub is set to deliver resilient, scalable power solutions into critical markets worldwide.