REGN Datacenters provide green data centres for a more sustainable future

The modern world is driven by data, and data generation and processing are growing exponentially. The expansion of data centres requires space, security, good local infrastructure and a stable source of power. Suboptimal conditions lead to higher operating costs, strain on the electrical grid and resulting power outages, as well as energy transfer losses from transmission over long distances.

The data centre industry is energy intensive, with a carbon footprint as large as that of the aviation industry. By 2025, the data centre industry is predicted to account for over 20 per cent of the world’s total power consumption and 5.5 per cent of global carbon emissions. Moreover, according to the International Energy Agency, over 75 per cent of the power used to run data centres is derived from fossil fuels.

Norway has an abundance of renewable hydroelectric power, stable electrical grids, low electricity prices and a naturally cool climate. It is also a politically stable country, with low risk of security breaches or natural disasters.

Worldwide connectivity is excellent, with new direct fibre connections being developed between Scandinavia and the UK/US markets. Moreover, Norway is recognised for its high level of technological innovation.

In addition to providing suitable sites, REGN Datacenters works directly with grid owners and energy producers to deliver turnkey data centre design, infrastructure design (core and shell), new smart energy solutions and local support services.

REGN Datacenters makes the most of Norway’s natural and competitive advantages to design green data centres for high performance computing that run on renewable energy, with optimal energy efficiency, security, data integrity and functionality.

REGN owns several large sites in the greater Bergen area in Western Norway, with abundant hydropower resources, good dark fibre availability and stable electrical grids.

The global data centre construction market is expected to grow from around USD 20 billion in 2018 to some USD 30 billion by 2023. This rapid growth is driven by the emergence of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and cloud-based technologies, along with a rising adoption of smartphones in developing economies.

Currently, REGN is working on three data centre projects of varying maturity, two of which are ready to build.