Datacentres are deeply unpopular. Has Sweden made one we can all love?
EcoDataCenter in Falun, Sweden, claims to have built the world's greenest datacentre using sustainable materials and renewable energy.
The facility in Falun stands out with its wooden construction, using cross-laminated timber panels assembled like flatpack furniture. This approach reduces the embodied carbon of the structure by three times compared to traditional steel and concrete datacentres, according to John Wernvik, the company's chief external relations and sustainability officer.
Datacentres have faced growing opposition globally, particularly in the US where they became a political issue in recent midterm elections. Critics point to concerns about land use, energy consumption, water usage, lack of local jobs, and enrichment of tech companies without community consent.
Sustainable Power
The EcoDataCenter runs on 100% renewable electricity, with 75% from hydroelectric power and 25% from wind. Sweden's overall energy mix is nearly carbon-free, with only 1% coming from fossil fuels, compared to 29% in the EU and 55% in the US.
I'm biased, but we believe that we build datacentres in a somewhat different way.
Local Benefits
In rural areas like Falun, datacentres help balance the grid by absorbing excess electricity from nearby renewable sources. Sweden's cold climate reduces cooling requirements, while the country's political stability and strong regulations ensure development occurs with community consensus.
The facility represents a contrast to controversial projects like xAI's Colossus in Tennessee, which faced criticism for rapid construction with little public notice and use of unpermitted methane generators. EcoDataCenter's approach demonstrates how datacentres can be developed more sustainably and with greater community acceptance.
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