Microsoft is collaborating with Finnish state-owned energy company Fortum to allow excess heat from new data centers in Southern Finland to heat local homes and businesses.
The project forms part of a new data center region Microsoft is set to construct near Helsinki and which will run on 100% emission-free electricity. Once operational, Fortum says 60% of the surrounding area's heating will be generated from the data centers.
Fortum already takes advantage of heat capture and distribution through a network of insulated underground pipes spanning 560 miles, transferring waste heat in hot water form to 250,000 customers in Espoo, Kauniainen, and the municipality of Kirkkonummi. The data center region waste heat recycling project will be "the largest of its kind in the world," according to the company.
Microsoft selected the location for its new data centers because it allowed for "independent power, networking, and cooling for additional tolerance" to failures. "We are incredibly proud of the novel way this datacenter will sustainably power Finnish digital transformation, while also heating Finnish homes and businesses and helping cities achieve their emissions targets," said Cindy Rose, President of Microsoft Western Europe.
Once completed, the data centers will count as a new Azure Region serving Microsoft's existing customers in Finland, which includes Nokia, Elisa, Fortum, S-Bank, Tietoevry, HUS, Vero, and Valtori.