Next Generation Data (NGD) claims it is the first data center operator in the UK to be officially certified as meeting the Data Centre Climate Change Agreement (CCA).

The government backed initiative was introduced in 2012 as a way to concentrate efforts to create energy efficient facilities in a sector that has been identified as one of the UK’s most intensive consumers of power.

Under the terms of the agreement, NGD has to reach a target of 15% efficiency improvement in five years, from a baseline reading.

NGD’s CEO Nick Razey said as a newer entrant to the data center market, NGD has a lower Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating than many of the traditional incumbents.

“But it is keen to lead the field in power efficiency,” Vazey said.

“With every new facility we build we get more efficient equipment and we’re currently at 1.2 so we’re running out of room to improve.”

NGD’s newest facility, in Newport, is capable of delivering an electricity supply of up to 180 MVA from its own power sub-station.

It is already providing 40kW or more to server racks.

The facility uses chilled water and adiabatics to manage temperature on its server racks.

IT and telecoms trade association TechUK, which was instrumental in establishing the CCA programme said the first data center to reach the criteria was setting a good lead for the rest of the industry.

TechUK’s associate director Emma Fryer said: "The CCA is a major step forward for the data center and we are delighted that leading-edge operator NGD is participating in the scheme.”

“As the first UK operator to receive the new CCA, we believe NGD's leadership will serve as an exemplar for other data center providers,” Fryer said.

Razey said NGD was the first data center in Europe to switch to 100% renewably sourced power four years ago.

NGD already offers ‘very competitively’ priced power to clients, he claimed, because it is exempt from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) as a result of its green energy supply initiative.

Razey said the new CCA will increase make it more competitive as it excludes the operator from carbon reduction commitment (CRC) charges.

“The CCA also demonstrates to customers, procurement departments and investors that NGD is ahead of the game when it comes to energy efficiency and optimization best practices,” said Razey.