Verne Holdings, a joint venture by General Catalyst and Novator, signed an agreement with National Energy Company Landsvirkjun, Farice and Keflavìk Airport Development Corporation (KADECO) yesterday on establishing a datacenter by Keflavìk International Airport.
Verne Holdings will put up ISK 20 billion (USD 306 million, EUR 203 million) and in return will be provided with electricity, data transfer, a building and a lot for the datacenter, which will be established this year and start operations in early 2009, Morgunbladid reports.
The datacenter has the potential to create about 100 jobs in the next few years and directly or indirectly have a positive economic influence for Iceland of up to ISK 40 billion (USD 611 million, EUR 406 million).
"Those of us who spearheaded this project believe entrepreneurs should definitely be responsible for directing world economy into green channels, founder of Novator and one of Verne Holdings' two owners Björgólfur Th. Björgólfsson said at a meeting yesterday.
Björgólfsson stated it is indisputable that CO2 emissions are causing negative changes to the earth's entire ecosystem. Growing concerns about global warming, energy shortage and rising prices of electricity make Iceland's green energy an attractive option for foreign companies in need of datacenters.