Foster welcomes Kelvin Telehouse announcement

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the decision by Hibernia Atlantic to build Project Kelvin’s Telehouse at Fort George, in Londonderry.

The announcement was made by Hibernia Atlantic, the company constructing the new direct telecommunications link to North America, and ILEX, the urban regeneration company in Londonderry.

The new Telehouse forms part of the €30million joint Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and Department of Communications Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) direct international connectivity project. The project is part financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (through the INTERREG IVA Cross-border programme) and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

The Minister said: “This decision, the result of the private and public sectors actively working together, is an important milestone in the roll-out of Project Kelvin.

Arlene Foster continued: “Hibernia Atlantic now has a very promising location for its Londonderry facility and its position will enhance the attractiveness of the overall Fort George development to both local businesses and potential overseas investment.

“This flagship project is one of a number of actions being taken under the Programme for Government to capitalise on Northern Ireland’s world-class telecommunications infrastructure. In these challenging economic times it is more important than ever that the private and public sector work together to maximise the benefits of this investment."

In conclusion the Minister said: “I wish both, Hibernia Atlantic and ILEX well in the next stage of the construction of the Telehouse and hope to see the overall project delivered on schedule for the benefit of the whole of Northern Ireland.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The contract for this project was awarded to Hibernia Atlantic Ltd on 22 December 2008 following a competitive tender process.
2. Hibernia Atlantic is committed to completing construction of the new infrastructure no later than March 2010 and operating it until December 2018.
3. Ilex is Northern Ireland’s only Urban Regeneration Company. It was set up in 2003 by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department for Social Development (DSD) to plan, develop and sustain the economic, physical and social regeneration of the Derry City Council area and one of its aims is to secure the economic, social and physical regeneration of the Ebrington and Fort George sites.
4. Fort George is owned by Department of Social Development, (DSD) and Ebrington is owned by Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, (OFMDFM).
5. Media enquiries please contact DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.