atNorth Announces Major Investment with New 300MW Data Center in Sweden
atNorth's Ambitious New 300MW Data Center in Sollefteå
atNorth, a prominent name in the Nordic data center industry, has officially announced its plans to construct a massive 300MW data center in Sollefteå Municipality, Sweden. This initiative marks a significant step forward not just for atNorth, but for the regional economy and the evolving tech landscape of Europe.
Strategic Location and Development Timeline
Located in the Hamre Industrial Park within Långsele, the new data center is being planned on a sprawling 50-hectare site known as Hamre 1. It is forging ahead with construction set to begin shortly, with expectations for the facility to become operational in the first half of 2028. This swift timeline is bolstered by the fact that the site is fully zoned and prepped for immediate development, making it ready to meet the burgeoning demands for advanced AI applications.
The acceleration in construction is vital as high-performance computing infrastructures are becoming increasingly crucial. AI-driven tasks are on the rise, which necessitates larger, scalable data center solutions built to handle intense workloads efficiently.
Economic Benefits and Community Impact
The local community is poised to benefit significantly from this investment. Emelie Wrede, the Mayor of Sollefteå Municipality, expressed her enthusiasm about atNorth's choice of location, stating that it reaffirms Sollefteå's capabilities to host future-focused industries. This new development is expected to strengthen the local economy, generate promising job opportunities, and enhance the region's attractiveness as a hub for sustainable digital infrastructure.
Sustainable Operations and Renewable Energy
One of the standout features of this data center project is its commitment to sustainability. The site’s selection at Hamre Industrial Park was influenced by its robust electrical grid capacity and access to renewable energy sources. atNorth is dedicated to leveraging renewable energy to power its operations while also establishing heat reuse partnerships that will allow the redirection of excess heat generated by the facility back to the local community, further promoting eco-friendly practices.
Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, the CEO of atNorth, emphasized the critical need for a balance between the growing high-density workloads and the urgent requirement for sustainable digital infrastructure. The Sollefteå campus is not just a facility; it symbolizes atNorth's commitment to developing data center ecosystems that prioritize both technological excellence and long-term communal benefits.
Future Plans and Partnerships
This announcement follows atNorth's recent expansion efforts, including new data centers in Iceland and plans for another facility in Stockholm. Furthermore, the company has recently established colocation alliances with major players like Nokia, Crusoe, and 6G AI Sweden AB. Additionally, an innovative heat reuse agreement with Denmark's leading waste-to-energy provider, Vesforbrænding, exemplifies atNorth's commitment to sustainability within its operations.
Conclusion
With its ambitious plans for the 300MW data center in Sollefteå, atNorth is carving out a critical niche for itself within the high-density colocation market. Combining strategic planning, sustainability, and local economic growth, this project not only enhances atNorth’s portfolio but also represents a robust investment in the future of digital infrastructure in Sweden and the Nordic region as a whole. As the digital world continues to evolve and expand, initiatives like atNorth's will be at the forefront of ensuring that the infrastructure can keep pace with demanding technological advancements.