Datagrid's new facility and its sustainability drive

Further details around Datagrid's plans to build a $1 billion carbon-neutral hyperscale data center have been released. To be located in Makarewa near Invercargill, the company's facility will have a capacity of 150 MW and powered by the Manapouri hydropower scheme - making it the first facility in New Zealand to be carbon neutral. The facility will also reportedly create up to 700 jobs during the construction of the project, with at least 25 permanent jobs once everything is up and running.

According to Datagrid founder, Remi Galasso, the reason for selecting the location is its "cool temperatures" which means that less energy will be required for its cooling technologies making it "a cheaper and lower-emission facility".

Back in January, Datagrid purchased a 43-hectare site in North Makarewa for the hyperscale facility, with the help of NZTE Investment. Speaking about how it helped to facilitate the project, Will Perriam, NZTE Investment Manager, said: "New Zealand has an opportunity to become the Iceland of the Southern Hemisphere and provide the world with green data processing and storage capabilities. The NZTE Investment team recognises this and is proud to support those already investing in the space and those who are looking to in the future."