Norway's largest data center owner and operator DigiPlex has broken ground on two new data centers near Oslo, Norway.
The colo specializes in environmentally efficient data centers powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Now DigiPlex has said it is investing NOK 600 million ($67m) to meet demand from international clients, attracted to Norway because of its cool climate, low-cost renewable energy, and proximity to large European markets.
The majority of the capacity for both new facilities is reportedly already reserved for global customers.
Green investment
The 'environmentally friendly data centers' will utilize DigiPlex’s modular design principles as well as its air-to-air cooling system.
“The high-efficiency [cooling] system is uniquely suited to the Nordic climate where DigiPlex operates, yielding efficiencies and cost savings up to 25 percent beyond the industry average,” said the firm.
The two data centers will have a combined facility size of 8,500 square meters (91,000 sq ft), and will be operational before the end of 2020.
One facility will be located at the DigiPlex Fetsund campus adjacent to its current 10MW facility, the other in Hobøl, where DigiPlex has acquired a 40,000 sq m (431,000 sq ft) plot with an option to purchase an additional 27,000 square meters (291,000 sq ft), making it suitable for the construction of a data center campus.
“Our international customers see Norway as an excellent location for their data, with green and inexpensive energy, political stability and a cool climate,” said DigiPlex CEO Gisle Eckhoff.
The Hobøl and Fetsund developments are estimated to generate several hundred new local jobs.
DigiPlex also operates a data center in Stockholm that is connected to the local district heating system, warming 10,000 apartments using waste heat produced by the servers. The Ulven site in Oslo was similarly designed to provide heating to local residents.
