Minister Bruton launches new DCU cleantech innovation hub

A new DCU Innovation Campus is set to support over 200 jobs in the next 18 months.

The centre will be a national hub for clean technology companies and is expected to boost Ireland’s green economy.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, who officially opened the campus in Glasnevin, said this was just part of the Government’s plan to create 10,000 jobs in the cleantech sector over the coming years.

The Minister said: “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.”

As part of DCU’s Strategic plan which began last year, the University aims to “reduce the energy consumption on campus and use the campus as a test bed for energy reduction and clean technologies”.

The new innovation campus goes a long way to supporting the university’s strategic plan. President of DCU, Prof. Brian MacCraith, believes that companies will benefit from locating in the new cleantech hub at DCU.

“Through the establishment of this new hub, companies can leverage the significant research expertise of DCU and its extensive partner network, particularly in the area of sustainability,” he said.

The utilities and energy management service provider, Dalkai, has been confirmed as the first tenants of the new innovation campus and CEO of the company and former Dublin senior football manager, Pat Gilroy is delighted to be partnering with DCU in the new centre.

Speaking about the centre, Gilroy said: “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.”

Adam Higgins

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