'Various ambitious plans for that site': Swiss tech firm acquires Northern Ireland data centre in multi-million-pound AI investment

A global technology company has acquired a Coleraine data centre as part of a multi-million-pound investment in artificial intelligence.

The company behind the deal is understood to be Swiss-based technology group Eryce, which works across software, infrastructure and AI.

The acquisition could also pave the way for a major expansion at the Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus on Portstewart Road, with the new owners understood to be interested in expanding the existing data centre and taking over additional land at the site.

News of the acquisition was disclosed to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council members by head of prosperity and place Niall McGurk during a Leisure and Development Committee meeting last week.

Mr McGurk told councillors the data centre had been acquired by ‘a private international software development company’ and that the new owners were interested in growing their operations at the site.

Elected members were told of the deal because the data centre’s owners are tenants at the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus.

“I received a phone call this afternoon from the director of operations at the data centre,” he explained. “He has confirmed the data centre has been acquired by a private international software development company. “He is very excited about it. He said the clients who’ve acquired it want to grow into the existing site. “As of now I have no more information but we are very keen to know. They are talking about various ambitious plans for that site.”

Councillor Tanya Elder welcomed the development, describing the potential expansion as a positive vote of confidence in the Atlantic Link campus and the wider borough.

She continued: “Members were advised that the current data-centre operation on the site has been subject to a buy-out, with the new company potentially interested in expanding the existing centre and purchasing additional land at the campus.

“This is a positive vote of confidence in the Atlantic Campus and in the wider Causeway Coast and Glens Borough. While discussions remain at an early stage, the prospect of further investment and expansion is potentially very exciting for our area.

“I look forward to seeing these discussions progress and will continue to support opportunities that bring investment, innovation and economic growth to our Borough.”

The Atlantic Link Enterprise Campus was launched in 2017 on a 16-acre site with the aim of attracting high-tech businesses to Coleraine.

It was Northern Ireland’s only enterprise zone and was established with the support of HM Treasury, offering incentives including Enhanced Capital Allowances to encourage investment.

The site’s first and only occupier was a data centre operator formerly known as 5NINES.

The 5NINES facility was acquired by private equity firm Prescient in 2021. The campus subsequently lost its enterprise zone status in 2024.

It is believed the land remains subject to a long-term lease from Ulster University, with the council understood to have paid around £1m for the lease.

Eryce was contacted for further details on the acquisition and its plans for the Coleraine site but had not responded at the time of publication.