Schroders Greencoat announces new green digital infrastructure platform and first data centre investment

New platform will invest in green energy parks to support large energy users and growing energy needs of AI

News Release - 5 March 2026

Schroders Greencoat, the specialist energy transition infrastructure manager of Schroders Capital, today announces its first investment into green digital infrastructure with the acquisition of a brownfield industrial site in Ireland, with planning consent for an initial 36MW data centre.

The investment has been made via a newly launched green digital infrastructure development platform, established as a 50:50 joint venture between Schroders Greencoat’s evergreen vehicle, Schroders Capital Semi-Liquid Global Energy Infrastructure (SCSL GEI), and Greencoat Renewables PLC, the listed renewable energy infrastructure company.

Focused on the development of green energy data centres and Energy Parks, initially in Ireland, the platform will focus on opportunities where grid access, land and renewable energy infrastructure can be combined to serve the fast-growing and energy-intensive requirements of hyperscalers.

Energy supply and power management are considered the most complex and value-critical part of delivering data centres and digital infrastructure at scale, encompassing generation, grid connection, storage, balancing and regulation. Schroders Greencoat has the scale, generation capacity, relationships and grid expertise to capitalise on this compelling opportunity.

Today’s platform launch and inaugural data centre investment represents a further expansion of Schroders Greencoat’s energy transition capabilities, building on its established global renewables platform; its leading position in green hydrogen as the UK’s largest investment manager in the space1; and its recent partnership with CATL[2], a globally leading China-based battery maker, and Lochpine Capital to accelerate battery energy storage solutions in Europe.

Drogheda Energy Park

The platform has acquired the Premier Periclase facility in Drogheda, County Louth, approximately 40km north of Dublin. The site is a brownfield industrial site located adjacent to Drogheda Port, with access to existing infrastructure. It will be developed as an integrated energy park combining flexible on-site generation, storage, and advanced grid-services capabilities.

The site intends to source its electricity requirements from renewable energy assets through corporate power purchase agreements, thereby decarbonising energy usage for co-located large energy users. Drogheda Energy Park has significant local support for an initial 36MW data centre.

The market opportunity in Ireland

Ireland is one of the leading European markets for hyperscalers and large energy users and is entering the next cycle of digital infrastructure development following the Irish Government’s recently launched Large Energy-Users Action Plan (LEAP). LEAP is a pioneering framework for enabling the build out of digital infrastructure in a way that minimises impacts on the grid and supports national climate objectives. It has the potential to be replicated throughout Europe and aligns closely with the partners’ ambitions for the platform.

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.”

Schroders Greencoat offers a wide range of investors access to its investment capabilities through its investment trusts, DC and wealth LTAFs, semi-liquid and closed-ended private markets funds.

Greencoat Renewables PLC is a listed owner and operator of European renewable energy infrastructure assets.

The Schroders Capital Semi-Liquid Global Energy Infrastructure Fund, launched in 2024, has a global investment remit and exposure to over 180 individual assets spanning large scale wind farms, solar parks and other infrastructure supporting the energy transition, such as green hydrogen, battery storage, district and industrial heating. Last year, Schroders Greencoat launched the UK’s first energy transition infrastructure-focused Long Term Asset Fund available to the wealth segment as a feeder fund into SCSL GEI, providing UK wealth clients access to an existing, diversified and scaled semi-liquid energy transition infrastructure strategy.

1 Based on successful projects to be offered contracts through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round process

2 Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd - Schroders Greencoat signs strategic MoU with leading battery maker CATL and Lochpine Capital on battery storage in Europe

Media contact

Wim Heirbaut

Senior PR Consultant, Befirm

Greencoat Renewables

Greencoat Renewables PLC is an investor in euro-denominated renewable energy infrastructure assets. Initially focused solely on the acquisition and management of operating wind farms in Ireland, the Company also invests in energy transition infrastructure assets in certain other European countries with stable and robust renewable energy frameworks. It is managed by Schroders Greencoat LLP, an experienced investment manager in the listed renewable energy infrastructure sector.

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