Computer giant Microsoft announced on Thursday the establishment of a new data center in the Finnish capital. This data center will be used by waste heat to heat homes and businesses in the region.
Considered the largest waste heat recycling center in the world, this American company will collaborate with the Finnish electric company Fortum. Fortum said that the current district heating infrastructure includes a network of 250,000 km of underground pipes that transfer heat to 900 homes in Helsinki.
“The location of the data center was chosen with waste heat recycling in mind,” the company stated in a joint statement. They added that the project would reduce CO2 emissions annually by almost 400,000 tons.
According to Fortum CEO Markus Rauramo, the project is “an important step towards a clean world made possible by our shared ambition to mitigate climate change.”
Microsoft Finland, which has been in contact with AFP, has stated that the construction of the center will begin “as soon as possible” and obtain the necessary approvals.
Regarding the cost of the project, this will be “the largest investment in ICT (Internet and communication technology) in Finland to date,” said a spokesman for the Pekka Isosomppi group.
Finnish leaders have long been working to promote the Nordic country as a key location for data centers, implying a cold climate, relatively low energy prices and fast connections, and the economic benefits of district heating infrastructure.
SGK/CBW/Clr/Me/Miss