Published in Microsoft Amsterdam

Microsoft plans to use rainwater to cool Dutch data centers after facing protests

May 24, 2021 | Posted by Eric Bell

After facing backlash from the resident of the Hollands-Kroon province, Netherlands, that its data center in the region could cause a shortage of drinking water, Microsoft has announced that it would now be using rainwater. Microsoft promised on TV that it would be using rainwater to cool its data centers in the region. It also said that it would be giving out the excess rainwater to greenhouses in the vicinity.

Microsoft has also approached ECW Energy, a Company with a record of reusing rainwater for fifteen years. Robert Kielstra of ECW Energy commented that Microsoft would only need 30% of the water it will collect on its Agriport sites. He also said that Microsoft would be supplying the remaining water to greenhouses.

Aerial shot of the large Microsoft data center campus at Agriport A7 in Middenmeer

Microsoft Amsterdam is located at Agriport 601, 1775 TK Middenmeer, Netherlands.

Expanding in Middenmeer
Source: Microsoft
Map shows 5 buildings with 2 expansion building under construction as of early 2020
Microsoft Middenmeer Data Center Campus Map
7AZ group of buildings under construction in circa 2017
State of Azure Locations as of July 2019
Posted in Microsoft Azure Source: Microsoft
Conceptual Azure Regions and Availability Zones diagram
Posted in Microsoft Azure Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Azure has 349 sites in 14 regions.

Expanding in Middenmeer
Source: Microsoft
Map shows 5 buildings with 2 expansion building under construction as of early 2020
Microsoft Middenmeer Data Center Campus Map
7AZ group of buildings under construction in circa 2017
State of Azure Locations as of July 2019
Posted in Microsoft Azure Source: Microsoft
Conceptual Azure Regions and Availability Zones diagram
Posted in Microsoft Azure Source: Microsoft

Ready to Level up Your
Data Center Strategy?