#Germany #Berlin #Frankfurt #Colt DCS

Colt DCS Expands German Infrastructure

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS), a prominent player in the hyperscale and large enterprise data centre sector, has unveiled ambitious plans for significant expansion in Germany. Set to develop four new facilities, including two major sites in Frankfurt and Berlin, this move underlines Colt DCS's commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure and sustainability practices across Europe.

New Data Centres: Overview and Capacity

The new installations, dubbed Frankfurt 4 and 5, as well as Berlin 1 and 2, will add a remarkable 117MW of capacity, bringing the total power capability of Colt DCS in Germany to 176MW. Located strategically, the Frankfurt data centres will occupy an 18-acre site while the Berlin facilities will utilize a 9.5-acre location. Both sites are scheduled for Phase 1 Readiness for Service (RFS) by the end of 2028, with renewable power supply agreements already in place.

This expansion is a significant investment, amounting to approximately €2 billion, reinforcing Colt DCS's strong presence in what is becoming one of Europe’s leading data centre hubs—Frankfurt. The capital city of Berlin is emerging as a second-tier market, primarily driven by Germany's digital transformation and the increasing demand for services related to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Sustainable Engineering Practices

Each of these data centres will be developed according to Colt DCS's Global Reference Design (GRD), facilitating high-performance computing workloads and allowing power delivery of up to 130kW per rack. Flexibility in cooling solutions will be vital, as the infrastructure will support various cooling techniques—traditional air, direct liquid-to-chip, and hybrid methods.

A focal point of this expansion is Colt DCS's dedication to environmental stewardship. The firm's operations will adhere to robust environmental and sustainability standards, incorporating several low embodied carbon principles into their construction. This includes using low Global Warming Potential (GWP) chillers, minimizing water wastage for cooling, and constructing with minimal steel and concrete. Additionally, waste heat generated on-site will be repurposed for district heating by local authorities.

Significantly, land usage has been well-considered, with one-fifth of site areas designated for green space. Roof designs will incorporate both photovoltaic solar panels and vegetation, promoting a greener urban space while contributing to energy efficiency.

Community Impact

The local government has responded positively to this expansion; Gert-Uwe Mende, the Lord Mayor of Wiesbaden, emphasized the importance of such initiatives for the regional economy, particularly given the growing importance of artificial intelligence.

Colt DCS's CEO, Niclas Sanfridsson, remarked on the rising demand for advanced data centres in Germany, highlighting that these new sites are a testament to Colt DCS's long-term commitment to the German market as Europe's largest economy. The expansion promises to bolster Colt DCS's capacity for servicing cloud and AI applications and enhance support for the burgeoning local community while fostering sustainability and innovative practices in the data centre landscape.

About Colt DCS

Colt DCS operates a broad portfolio comprising 13 functioning data centres globally. With an ambition to develop an additional 9 facilities across 11 major cities in Europe, the UK, and the APAC region, the company has a robust strategy for growth. Colt DCS champions a vision centered on customer commitment and environmental responsibility, striving to lead the way in the data centre industry. Their proactive approach includes setting science-based targets aligned with the latest Net Zero Standards to minimize their global emissions footprint.

In conclusion, Colt DCS's expansion in Germany is not merely a business decision; it represents an alliance between technical innovation, community upliftment, and environmental consciousness.