Design and Operation of Data Centers in Finland

Designing data centers requires comprehensive expertise from the design office. Finland needs its own strategy for functional data center ecosystems to ensure the development, maintenance, and competitiveness of this industry in the future.

Currently, Finland is generating significant interest among data center operators who are considering where to locate their next data centers. Finland responded to the Nordic competitive situation and lowered the electricity tax for data centers at the beginning of  year 2021, making our country competitive again.

The data center industry is relatively new and emerged with the advent of the internet about thirty years ago. The massive growth of data led to the point where companies’ own centers could no longer meet the demand, and investing in their own centers was not economically viable. As a result, the data center business continues to grow.

Role of design offices in data centers

Design offices have learned a lot from the data center industry. Designing data centers combines many areas, such as geo– and nature surveys as well as the design of industrial plant commissioning. Although the design processes are familiar, data centers have their own peculiarities.

A significant consideration is that construction often begins with incomplete designs. In such projects, managing the design and coordinating different areas require precision, vigilance, and intense communication between parties. There are often dozens of different work packages, and more responsibility for design shifts to contractors than is usual. Many contractors are in Finland for the first time and are unfamiliar with local rules or laws, complicating overall management.

Design of data centers and design offices in Finland

For an entity like Sweco, it is a significant advantage that all aspects of data center design are under one roof. This makes it easier for customers when there is one contracting party. Sweco’s international presence and global experience are notable advantages in the market. Data center operators bring their plans to Finland, and our task is to adapt them to local legislation.

The interdisciplinary and comprehensive approach to design enables finding innovative solutions. These solutions take into account both technical and environmental aspects. We delve into different industry perspectives and offer expert insights on how collaboration between different design areas can improve project quality and efficiency.

Stay tuned! Different design perspectives on data center design and practical examples will be featured in our upcoming blogs.

Antti-Jussi Laine, Data Centre Business Lead, antti-jussi.laine@sweco.fi