Irish Expertise Powers Sweden’s Data Centre Boom

Karin Angus is a Senior Market Adviser for High-Tech Construction based in Enterprise Ireland’s Stockholm Office 

Irish companies have established a strong presence in Sweden’s high-tech construction sector. Enterprise Ireland has supported early movers such as Kirby Group Engineering, Suir Engineering, Sisk, Collen, Silverback, and Fexillon who have each played a key role in shaping Sweden’s data centre boom.

Starting in the early 2010s, Irish high tech construction companies seized the opportunity presented by Sweden’s booming data centre market, a sector driven by the country’s cold climate, abundant renewable energy, and commitment to sustainability. These firms didn’t just build facilities; they contributed to raising standards for efficiency and environmental responsibility, turning data centres into efficient, resilient, and climate-conscious infrastructure. 

This growth reflects a broader principle: the most successful partnerships are those where both countries gain not just from trade, but from the exchange of ideas and know how, a principle at the heart of the Ireland Sweden relationship.

With Europe’s data centre market forecast to grow 15% annually and investment projected to rise from €50 billion in 2025 to €90 billion by 2030, Sweden offers a prime location for sustainable infrastructure development. This surge is driven by AI, cloud adoption, and 5G connectivity but challenges such as power availability, sustainability, and skilled labour remain, areas where Irish firms bring proven expertise.

Kirby Group Engineering, headquartered in Ireland, has become a major player in Sweden’s high-tech construction sector. Kirby Group opened an office in Gävle in 2021 and now employs over 700 staff, delivering projects across Gävle, Katrineholm, Västerås and near Stockholm.

Suir Engineering  entered the Swedish market in 2018 and established its Stockholm office in 2021, which now serves as a regional hub for Nordic operations. The company brings expertise in energy efficient electrical and mechanical systems to mission critical projects across the region.

Sisk, another prominent Irish general contractor, has expanded its footprint in Sweden through strategic partnerships and advanced engineering solutions, contributing to hyperscale data centre builds that prioritise reliability and scalability.

Sisk have worked both in the north; Luleå, and the south; Staffanstorp and have been involved in many community CSR activities in Sweden.

Collen, another leading Irish contractor, has been delivering hyperscale data centre projects in Sweden since 2017. The company opened an office in Gävle in 2021, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Nordic market and its focus on sustainable, high-tech builds.

Beyond construction, Silverback, a technical recruitment specialist operating in Sweden since 2012, plays a critical role in supplying skilled talent for high tech projects, becoming an essential link in Sweden’s high tech construction ecosystem and supporting many of the largest industry names.

Fexillon, a leader in building data management platforms, has supported multiple hyperscale data centre projects in Sweden since 2019, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer from construction to operations, a critical step for hyperscale facilities where uptime and efficiency are paramount. 

Enterprise Ireland has played a key role in helping Irish companies grow their presence in Sweden. Its offices in Stockholm and Copenhagen have been pivotal in guiding Irish firms into the Nordic market; underscoring Sweden’s growing strategic importance for Irish exporters. Today, more than 560 Enterprise Ireland supported firms export to the Nordics, with over 340 focused on Sweden. Exports to the region reached €2.1 billion in 2024, up 24% on the previous year, and Sweden alone passed the €1 billion mark for the first time, driven by sectors such as high-tech construction and engineering. 

High tech construction already represents €4.7 billion of Enterprise Ireland global client exports, highlighting its role as a cornerstone of Ireland’s international growth strategy. This momentum was highlighted during a major trade mission this September, where 50 Enterprise Ireland client companies including Kirby Group, Suir, Silverback, Sisk, and Fexillon took part in discussions on renewable energy, high tech construction, and digital transformation. The mission included high level engagements such as an opening breakfast with Marcus Wallenberg and a business leaders’ dinner with over 140 guests. 

Irish firms have played a pivotal role in shaping Sweden’s data centre sector. The success of Irish companies in Sweden isn’t just an export story; it’s a mirror reflecting the shared potential of two likeminded EU partners to drive innovation and technical excellence across Europe.