Intel gets go-ahead to construct new chip fab in Ireland

17 Aug 2012

Chip giant Intel has been granted permission to construct a new fabrication plant at its Leixlip campus by Kildare County Council. The application was for a 162,000 sq-foot building that will facilitate the manufacture of next-generation 22-nanometre chips.

The move represents the first major investment Intel has made in producing a new technology in Leixlip since 2004.

According to RTÉ, the planning application includes the construction of internal roads, a chemical store, a support building and parking for 2,200 cars.

Last year, Intel kick started a resurgence of construction in Ireland with news it is investing US$500m in a new fabrication facility for future chips, a move that will generate about 200 high-level technology jobs, as well as 850 construction jobs.

According to IDA Ireland, there will be some 1,500 construction jobs over the next two years as building projects involving Eli Lilly, Boston Scientific, Allergan, Microsoft, Analog Devices, Google and Apple get under way.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com