The procurement process for a new world-class EuroHPC supercomputer in Ireland, named Computational Analysis and Simulation Platform for Ireland (CASPIr) has been launched. It will be jointly procured by University of Galway and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU).
CASPIr is a high-performance supercomputer, designed to support advanced research across multiple scientific disciplines. It is part of the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) infrastructure, which provides computational resources for researchers in areas such as climate modelling, bioinformatics, physics, engineering, and data science.
The scope of the procurement includes the acquisition, delivery and installation of the CASPIr supercomputer and ongoing hardware and software maintenance. Once operational, the CASPIr supercomputer will significantly enhance national high-performance computing capacity and benefit stakeholders across the broad spectrum of Ireland and Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem.
CASPIr will be managed by the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), a constituent part of University of Galway. Exchequer funding will be pledged by DFHERIS, leveraging €20M awarded by the EuroHPC JU as the result of a competitive process.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), James Lawless TD said:
“I very much welcome this important step towards Ireland’s next generation of supercomputing. I commend ICHEC, the University of Galway, and the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking in working alongside my Department to reach this significant milestone. Ireland’s new supercomputer will provide the technological means for researchers and innovators to tackle key scientific and societal challenges in areas including health, environment and climate, artificial intelligence, materials science and transport. Procuring a supercomputer will be a landmark moment for research and innovation in our country.”
The procurement of the CASPIr supercomputer is a key deliverable under Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future. Digital Ireland sets out the Government’s ambition to 2030 to strengthen our position as a digital leader and a global hub for applied AI innovation, building on our strengths - a well-established reputation as a digital hub, an exceptional talent base and a vibrant innovation ecosystem. This investment underscores Ireland’s commitment to supporting the development and adoption of transformative digital infrastructure technologies that will underpin the next generation of innovation.
