DCU launches Cleantech Innovation Campus
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD has officially opened the DCU Innovation Campus, a new national centre for innovation in the Cleantech sector, one of the fastest growing areas of economic activity and worth more than €5 trillion globally. The new campus, which will be a location of choice for Cleantech start-ups, SMEs and larger companies, is expected to drive significant green economy growth in the North Dublin and Leinster area, supporting 200 jobs over the initial 18 months.
The establishment of the Innovation Campus follows the transfer of a vacant Enterprise Ireland-owned site to DCU for the purposes of this project, in an initiative driven by Minister Bruton and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation over the past 18 months.
The Cleantech sector develops innovative products and services to address major sustainability issues concerning water, waste, energy and emissions and forms a key strand of both the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and its policy on growth and employment in the Green Economy. Speaking at the launch, Minister Bruton spoke of the significance of the new Innovation Campus in the context of this major government policy focus,
“The green economy is a sector targeted as part of the Government’s plans for jobs and growth, and late last year we published our plans in this sector aimed at driving the creation of 10,000 additional jobs in this sector over the coming years. The DCU Innovation Campus will play a key role in this by bringing together innovative start-ups and more established companies with the skills and ideas that only a university can provide. This is a model that has been used to great success internationally, for example in the North Carolina Research Triangle.”
“Today’s initiative is a great example of using scarce State resources in smart ways to drive job creation, and provides a model of what we must do across Government if we are to create the jobs we need. I commend Professor Brian MacCraith at DCU, Pat Gilroy of Dalkia, Frank Ryan and all at Enterprise Ireland as well as officials of my Department for their hard work in getting this project over the line. I am determined to ensure that we continue to drive growth in the green economy through initiatives like this to create the jobs we need.”
The Innovation Campus will be a central element of DCU’s contribution to the development of the Green Way, a collaborative venture established by industry, academic institutions and public/semi state players in the north Dublin region to create jobs and trade opportunities through its internationally recognised Cleantech cluster.
President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith emphasised the university’s commitment to delivering innovation and economic impact at both regional and national level,
“Ireland is facing unprecedented economic challenges that require innovative and bold strategic actions if we are to regain competitiveness. As Ireland’s University of Enterprise, DCU is strongly committed to delivering real innovation with an economic impact. Through the establishment of this new Cleantech hub, companies can leverage the significant research expertise of DCU and its extensive partner network, particularly in the area of sustainability, thus positioning Dublin and Ireland as examples of best practice in public-private collaboration to solve the global issues of energy and environmental challenges.”
The campus will attract new high-growth, Cleantech enterprises that wish to locate in a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem; international entrepreneurs wishing to take advantage of advanced DCU R&D; university spin-out companies; and student and graduate start-up companies. Dalkia, the utilities and energy management service provider, has been confirmed as the first tenant in the new Campus.
Pat Gilroy, CEO of Dalkia, said,
“Dalkia is delighted to be partnering with DCU in its establishment of this exciting new Innovation Campus. It will provide invaluable opportunities for Dalkia, and other Cleantech companies, to link into the existing and growing network of collaborations in the north Dublin Green Way Cluster to achieve competitive advantage and growth."
The DCU Innovation Campus is located on the former Enterprise Ireland site in Glasnevin. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland also worked with Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn TD to facilitate location of an Educate Together school on the site.