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Sweden ranked best in the Nordics
May 2013 by Emmanuelle Lamandé
The Data Centre Risk Index 2013 evaluates risks likely to affect the successful operation of datacenter facilities in the 30 most important global markets. According to the report, Sweden ranks 3rd globally, only surpassed by the US and Great Britain.
The aim of the Data Centre Risk Index is to help companies to make informed investment decisions about where to locate their datacenters to increase efficiency, lower costs and to develop strategies to mitigate anticipated risk. In the report, factors such as sustainability, internet connectivity, ease of doing business and the likelihood of natural disasters or political instability are all taken into consideration and are individually weighted to reflect different risk levels.
Sweden’s high scores relating to sustainability, international internet bandwidth, ease of doing business and political stability helped increase its ranking from last year’s 8th place to this year’s position above all other locations surveyed in Europe apart from the UK. The executive summary of The Data Centre Risk Index 2013 states:
“But it is the Nordics, powered predominantly by hydroelectricity and with comparatively low energy unit costs, which are becoming an increasingly attractive global data centre location. Consequently, the region dominates this year’s global top 10: Sweden is ranked as the third safest place worldwide to base a data centre, rising from eighth last year, while Iceland (seventh), Norway (eighth) and Finland (ninth) all feature in prominent positions.
The report is produced by international consulting firms Cushman & Wakefield, Hurleypalmerflatt and Source8.
Swedish Datacenter Initiative
To meet the growing need for datacenter locations, Sweden has formed a unique initiative with teams in 10 regions around the country with shovel-ready sites in close proximity to the electricity grid and fibre networks. The initiative has support from a number of well-known companies, e.g. energy giant Vattenfall, fibre-optic network operator TeliaSonera International Carrier and Coromatic, experts on datacenter design and operation.
Sweden reinforced its position in 2011 when Facebook chose Luleå, close to the Arctic circle, for their first datacenter outside of the US.
From an already strong starting-point, Sweden has committed a further 45 billion USD over the next 10 years for investments in electricity production including hydro power and strengthening of the national grid. (Source: SCB, Svensk Energi).
