Green Mountain is taking on quite a task, as the Norwegian data center operator sets its sights on the data center market. The company aims to offer stabilized power prices for up to ten years, drawing energy from three hydropower suppliers to access affordable and clean energy.
The data center already has the smallest carbon footprint around, thanks to the hydropower it uses. At the same time, it’s far more affordable than other sources, using electricity from local dams to power the data center and keep it cool. Its 22,000 square meter data enter in Stavenger manages to maintain the same power output as any traditionally powered data center, while still costing less, which then allows it to charge customers less in return.
As such, customers can get fixed price power contracts for a period of several years, ranging from €37.5 to €41 per megawatt, depending on the contract. The data center meets the Uptime Institute Tier III standards, as well as most criteria for Tier IV compliance, but its biggest draw will be its stabilized energy prices.
“Stability of energy prices will be the biggest issue among many of Britain’s IT buyers,” explains Knut Molaug, CEO of Green Mountain DC. “If companies choose us to host their data, they can enjoy a predictable cost base in a world in which energy prices are incredibly volatile. Since CFOs generally sign off purchasing orders these days, that can only be an attractive proposal.”
There are few things worse than finding out your bill has gone up due to data center issues beyond your control. The fact that Green Mountain’s data center has to pay so little for its electricity means the savings get passed on to customers, while at the same time, it’s maintaining a small carbon footprint. It’s a scenario in which everyone wins, making Green Mountain a strong competitor in the data center market.
Edited by Ashley Caputo