Microsoft opens the first 100% carbon-free energy data center region in Sweden
Microsoft took the covers of its latest sustainable data centers in Sweden and it marks the first “100% carbon-free energy” with support for zero-waste operations in the company’s portfolio.
The new data centers are located in Gävle, Sandviken and Staffanstorp and are now open to customers who want to use Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 solutions while increasing the company’s investment in the area to USD 1.6 million and over 20 partnerships with local organizations.
According to a press release from Microsoft:
Microsoft’s data center region in Sweden is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, achieving zero waste certification and operating on 100% carbon-free energy. Microsoft’s data center region in Sweden will be powered by 100% carbon-free energy with 24/7 energy matching with partners waterfall. To support its operations, Microsoft has signed agreements for new projects for renewable energy bp, Enlight Renewable Energy, European energy, NTR, Prime Capital and wpd. In addition, Sweden is Microsoft’s first data center region whose backup generators will run on Preem Evolution Diesel Plus, the world’s first Nordic Ecolabelled fuel, which contains at least 50% renewable raw material, and almost a corresponding reduction in net carbon dioxide emissions compared to ordinary fossil diesel mixtures.
Microsoft’s announcement of data centers in Sweden follows a number of data center investments that the company has made in various international regions recently.
Just in February, Microsoft announced data centers in new areas in Spain, Poland, New Zealand, China and domestic in Arizona.
But, as mentioned, Sweden marks the first 100% carbon-free energy investment from day one, while Microsoft wants the others to achieve similar eco-friendly goals within the next decade or so.