Google announces plans to build green energy data centre in Denmark

Today Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc. announced plans to break ground on a new data center for the global tech giant. The new facility will be located outside the Danish city of Fredericia in the West of the country.

Google has announced it will be investing $690mn in the construction of the data centre, which will be the company’s first in Denmark, and be committed to “matching its energy use with 100 percent carbon-free energy”. According to Joe Kava, global vice president of data centers, “this commitment includes the electricity use of our data centers, too”.

Kava confirms that “whenever Google looks for a new place to build a data center, it's important that the location has high-quality digital infrastructure and supports renewable energy production. Denmark has both of these things and much more”.

SEE ALSO: 

• Equinor outlays $84mn on minority shareholding in Scatec Solar ASA

• E.ON and innogy integration to retain the name E.ON

• EDF Renewables and Shell Energy sign power purchase deal

• Read the latest issue of Energy Digital here

In order to support the center’s energy needs, Google is pursuing green investment opportunities in and around Fredericia. “We’re pursuing new investment opportunities in energy projects like onshore wind, offshore wind and solar energy”, said Kava.

These investments, alongside the construction of the data center itself, are predicted to bring energy and construction jobs to the area, with the construction being expected to “support 1,450 jobs per year in 2018-2021”. In addition to economic stimulation to the surrounding area, “once operational, around 150-250 people are expected to be employed at the site in a range of roles—including computer technicians, electrical and mechanical engineers, catering and security staff”.

The center is expected to be operational in 2021 and will be Google’s fifth facility of its kind in Europe, along with Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands and Belgium.