What you need to know
- Microsoft just announced plans to build a datacenter region in southern Finland.
- The datacenters will run on 100% emission-free energy and supply heat for nearby cities.
- The setup could potentially reduce up to 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Microsoft's network of cloud computing infrastructure continues to expand at a quick pace. The new Finnish datacenter region will join more than 60 regions around the world and over 280,000 kilometers of ground and subsea fiber.
The new Finnish datacenters will service businesses, government agencies, and other partners throughout the region. In a study sponsored by Microsoft, IDC states that the company could create over 11,000 skilled IT jobs in the area.
Microsoft will collaborate with the Fortum Corporation to have the waste heat produced by the datacenters converted into district heating for Espoo and Kauniainen, which are in Kirkkonummi, Finland.
"The decision to invest in a datacenter region that also provides surplus heat to our cities and homes is a win-win. It will accelerate Finland's digital growth while making our energy system greener," said Sanna Marin, the Prime Minister of Finland. "I also hope that this collaboration can serve as a model to other countries and cities looking to achieve the double transformation of climate neutrality and digital competitiveness."
The President and CEO of Fortum, Markus Rauramo, also shared thoughts on the announcement.
"Developing solutions for global challenges together with partners is a strategic priority for Fortum, and we are proud to embark on this exceptional journey together with Microsoft," said Rauramo. "By tapping into waste heat from datacenters, we can provide clean heat for homes, businesses and public buildings in the capital area of Finland and reduce up to 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. This is a significant and practical step for a cleaner world," says Markus Rauramo, President and CEO of Fortum."
