T4 Group move in on New Zealand's South Island

T4 Group has announced its plans to build a Tier IV-quality modular data center on New Zealand’s South Island. The facility, which will see a NZ$50 million ($34.6m) investment, will reportedly source its energy from Southland’s two hydro stations, in Lake Manapouri and Lake Monowai, making it the country’s first carbon-neutral data. Further sustainability plans for the facility include re-using its excess heat.

Seemingly aware of the industry’s overreach regarding sustainability goals, T4 director David Simpson commented: “T4 Group is not greenwashing its operation; currently, data centers in New Zealand rely heavily on coal as a secondary power source which companies offset by purchasing carbon credits. We can harness the unique benefits from the regions, such as access to hydro energy, to develop a truly green and sustainable community asset.”

Elaborating on the ways in which the project will center sustainability, Simpson added: “We are looking to try and recycle off our outputs, such as heat, where we can. That’s part of why the particular location that we’ve picked is specific, so the partner there has the ability to use the heat.”

Further details about the facility, including the location, timeline, or specifications, are yet to be released.