Intel announces plans for massive new plant in Leixlip

After months of speculation, Intel has announced plans to significantly increase capacity at it Leixlip plant.

The micro chip giant has submitted a planning application for a 110,0000 square metre factory, according to The Sunday Times newspaper.

The planned facility is set to be almost twice the size of Dundrum Town Centre.

Intel already has separate planning approval from 2017 for a 90,000 square metre plant at its site.

Major investment 

The investment in a new facility of this size could run into billions of euro over several years and involve up to 5,000 construction jobs and hundreds of contracted and permanent staff.

Intel has seen an increased demand for its products due to the booming gaming industry across the globe and a positive business climate in some overseas markets.

There are already around 4,000 people employed at the Leixlip plant, which was first established in 1989.

Intel has invested almost $14 billion dollars in Ireland since the late 1980s.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe was the US last month meeting executives from Intel.

EirGrid has already announced it is planning a significant upgrade to the network supplying power to Intel in Leixlip.

The project will involve the development of a new 220 kV electricity substation adjacent to the Intel plant and new circuits to the facility.