Intel to make more 14nm chips in Ireland, possibly also planning huge extension

As you may know, there's a shortage of 14nm processors from Intel because the chip giant's 14nm capacity is fully utilized. Part of the problem here is that 10nm has been delayed so many years that too much of Intel's product mix is now on the 14nm node. The company recently earmarked $1 billion to increase its production capacity and it appears that some of that money will find its way to Ireland.

A letter seen by the Sunday Independent and commentary from an Intel spokesman reveals the Leixlip facility in Ireland will see an expansion within the existing building space.

The paper also reports about intense speculation that Intel is close to approving a major expansion at its Irish plant. A 90,000 square meter expansion of the Fab 24 facility could create up to 4,000 jobs. The plant is believed to be worth as much as 50 million EUR to the constructions sector, and involves 2 billion EUR in semiconductor manufacturing spending.

Well-informed sources claimed that preparations were underway for even bigger investment. A 90,000 square metre expansion of the high-tech Fab 24 facility at Leixlip, which received planning permission in 2017 but is yet to be publicly approved by Intel's US-based global management team, could create 3,000 construction jobs and a further 850 manufacturing jobs.

There is growing expectation that Intel will soon award a contract for site clearance and preparation at the Kildare complex and that major Irish construction firms have visited the plant for discussions.