The Columbia Threadneedle European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund (ESIF) has acquired a majority stake in a unique ‘green’ data center based in an underground mine in Norway. Lefdal Mine Datacenter uses cold seawater from an adjacent fjord for cooling and renewable energy and it is operational since 2017. The data center boasts 75 underground halls with currently 10 MW in operation, the data center has the potential to expand to 200 MW.
World-leading data center
German industrial family business, Friedhelm Loh Group’s subsidiary, Rittal will remain a minority shareholder. The company also noted that the data center’s cost base is stable and the data center capacity can be built out on a modular basis as and when required. Jørn Skaane, CEO Lefdal Mining Datacenter said,
“With its 10 megawatts of installed capacity, Lefdal Mine Datacenter has been in the early stages of developing the facility into a world-leading data center. With ESIF coming in as a shareholder together with Rittal, the stage has been set for building out and operating large customer requirements. At Lefdal Mine Datacenter, customers do not have to worry about limitations in future capacity due to the size of our facility and access to high quantities of renewable power and cooling.”