EcoDataCenter

EcoDataCenter, founded in 2014 by entrepreneurs Jan Fahlén, Jan Lundqvist, and Börje Granlid, operates as a provider of sustainable data center solutions in the Nordic region. Headquartered in Falun, Sweden, the company was established with a vision to address the burgeoning demand for data storage with a minimal climate impact. The founders leveraged their diverse backgrounds and foresight into the exponential growth of data needs, investing their own capital to launch a business in a highly capital-intensive industry.

The company's business model revolves around designing, constructing, and operating large-scale data centers for colocation and wholesale clients, including those in high-performance computing (HPC) and AI sectors. Revenue is generated by providing these data center services, which include secure and scalable infrastructure with flexible power and cooling solutions. A distinct aspect of their model is the sale of waste heat from the data centers, creating a circular revenue stream. EcoDataCenter serves a range of clients from public sector bodies to global enterprises like BMW Group and CoreWeave. The firm deliberately avoids engaging with the cryptocurrency mining industry due to its high energy consumption and ethical business standards.

A significant milestone occurred in 2018 when Areim, a Nordic real estate fund manager, became the principal owner through a substantial investment, providing the financial strength for expansion and market consolidation. This partnership was pivotal, enabling EcoDataCenter to acquire other data centers and expand its sustainable concept. Since 2023, EcoDataCenter has been fully owned by the Areim DC Fund. The company has secured significant funding, with approximately €1.2 billion raised over the last two years, fueling its growth, including the development of new campuses in Östersund and Borlänge.

EcoDataCenter's core offering is centered on sustainability and efficiency. The company powers its facilities with 100% renewable energy from sources like hydropower and wind. A key differentiator is its innovative use of materials and energy recovery. For instance, its main facility in Falun was constructed with a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) frame, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to steel and concrete. The company integrates with local energy systems, where excess heat from servers is used to warm buildings or in industrial processes like producing wood pellets, creating a climate-positive effect. This focus on circularity, combined with advanced cooling technologies, allows the company to achieve a very low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and offer a competitive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Keywords: sustainable data centers, colocation services, wholesale data centers, Nordic data infrastructure, green data solutions, HPC hosting, AI infrastructure, circular economy, renewable energy data centers, low PUE, data center heat recovery, climate-positive data, Swedish data centers, Areim, colocation Sweden, enterprise data storage, high-density computing, data center sustainability, IT infrastructure services, sustainable IT, wooden data center, data center efficiency