MICROSOFT MOST SUSTAINABLE DC IN SWEDEN

Microsoft has just unveiled its plans to build hyper-scale data centers in Gävle and Sandviken, Sweden, and have designed these facilities to be among the most sustainable to date.

Microsoft will partner with Swedish utility provider Vattenfall with support from its Node Pole team, on the sourcing and supply of 100% renewable energy as required by the facilities. Both companies will also collaborate on achieving zero-waste for the data centers’ operations.

“Vattenfall Distribution as the regional network owner will construct and build the distribution infrastructure required to connect the large-scale facilities,” said Andreas Regnell, SVP of strategic development at Vattenfall. “Over time, the new infrastructure will help further reduce the carbon footprint of the data centers, while at the same time reinforce an already strong electricity grid in Gävle and Sandviken to the benefit of the people who live there.”

In April, Microsoft President Brad Smith said that, by the end of this year, the company will achieve its target of powering its data centers with 60% renewable energy, and will aim to reach 70% renewable energy by 2023, on its path to 100%.

“We intend for our data centers in Sweden to be among the most sustainably designed and operated in the world with the ultimate ambition of achieving zero-carbon operations. The data center design we’re developing will further Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Noelle Walsh, CVP, Cloud Operations & Innovation, Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft and Vattenfall are not partnering for the first time, as they had entered into a ten-year wind energy deal in the Netherlands in 2017. Microsoft then purchased 100% of the wind energy generated from a 180MW wind farm that is adjacent to its local data center in Agriport, about 50km outside of Amsterdam.

“We will support Microsoft on the sourcing and supply of renewable energy for the future data centers and help provide innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of the data centers,” adds Regnell.

The new facilities in Sweden will add to Microsoft’s existing European footprint, joining the ranks of its other planned data centers in Norway and Switzerland, and available data centers in Austria, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.