Microsoft launches Swedish data centre offering

Microsoft’s new data centres in Gävle, Sandviken and Staffanstorp offer both Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. The Sweden data centre region will also deliver Azure Availability Zones, providing customers with additional application resiliency options. 

The software giant said it is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for the region, one of the highest environmental certifications from the US Green Building Council.

The firm said it is “committed to cutting carbon emissions, achieving zero waste certification, and running on 100% carbon-free energy” in Sweden, with the new region will be powered by 100% carbon-free energy with 24/7 hourly energy matching through partner Vattenfall.

Microsoft also said it has signed agreements for new renewable energy projects with BP, Enlight Renewable Energy, European Energy, NTR, Prime Capital and WPD.

Microsoft president Brad Smith said: “As Swedish industries and enterprises look to adopt and innovate on Microsoft’s platform, our data centre investments build on our portfolio of products and services while meeting important data residency, security and compliance needs.”

Sweden is Microsoft’s first data centre region where backup generators will run on Preem Evolution Diesel Plus. Preem claims to be the world’s first Nordic Eco-labelled fuel, which Microsoft said contains “at least 50% renewable raw material”.

The new region will also host Microsoft’s third European Circular Center, which repurposes servers and hardware from the firm’s data centres. It will have the ability to support 12,000 servers per month.

Hélène Barnekow, general manager Microsoft Sweden said: “Our Swedish data centre are among the most sustainably designed and operated in the world. This is an important launch for Sweden and Europe, as I am of the firm conviction that new tech innovation is the most important enabler for the world to reach the global sustainability targets. By moving to the cloud, we create new opportunities to accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable future – together.”