EMC applies for planning to build Cork data centre

US tech giant EMC has submitted a planning application to Cork County Council to build a data centre and accompanying office block adjacent to its existing facility in Ovens.

Ten-year planning permission for a new four-storey office building and data centre is being sought for the expansion of its Cork operations which are based in Mahon Point, Ballincollig and Ovens.

EMC Centre of Excellence managing director, Bob Savage said the move would allow the company to prepare for the future and maintain its Irish base at the centre of its global operations.

“From our Cork Centre of Excellence, we export our innovative products and services to 140 countries globally. The Irish operation continues to perform well and contributes significantly to the global EMC business.

“As we continue to innovate and advance new and exciting technologies, it is important that we are well-positioned to accommodate further business growth here in a timely manner.

“We are preparing ourselves for the future and ensuring that our Irish operation can be at the centre of EMC’s continued technological developments,” Mr Savage said.

The proposed office building will be constructed in two phases over the period of the permission, if it is granted.

A spokesperson for EMC said that no plans were currently in place for development of the site but that it would be built within the 10- year period.

Permission for a multi-storey car park and accompanying bike storage and locker rooms is also being sought.

As part of the application process, EMC has fully communicated its plans to local residents and representatives, the spokesperson added.

EMC, which is headquartered in Massachusetts and employs more than 65,000 people globally, has a workforce of 3,000 employees in Ireland.

The cloud computing giant has increased its footprint in Cork significantly in the last year, having announced the city as its centre for European research in June.

In October, EMC recorded consolidated quarterly revenues for Q3 2014 of approximately $6bn (€4.88bn) while profits increased marginally to $587m.