Press Release

Reykjavík, Iceland, July 5, 2023 - Intense data usage normally leads to considerable CO2 emissions with the rapidly growing data volume impacting our climate. With many companies caught in a dilemma, between the need for continuous digitization and the demand for ESG requirements, such as reducing CO2 emissions, a new sustainable alternative is now available.

Borealis Data Center will offer companies access to sustainable cloud services in collaboration with IBM Denmark. Danish companies can now choose a sustainable cloud data center solution for storing and processing their data in Iceland. This may be particularly relevant for organizations that require high-energy use for large-scale data processing tasks. As CO2 emissions in Iceland come close to being net zero, resulting in a positive impact on ESG reporting for companies and organizations. 

 “Iceland is a remarkable location when it comes to generating energy from 100% renewable sources. We have taken advantage of these conditions along with the consistently cool climate to create a uniquely sustainable data center. The new cloud collaboration with IBM Denmark enables us to expand our business further and we expect great interest from both local and global customers who opt for sustainable cloud services – based on our clean affordable energy,” says Borealis Data Center’s CEO Björn Brynjúlfsson. 

 As data centers evolve and modernize, new alternatives are emerging to improve energy efficiency of both cooling and the IT equipment used, to keep operations running. What makes the Icelandic solution special is the low cost of cooling – due to the naturally cold climate – and the 100% renewable energy. In fact, Iceland generates the cleanest electricity per person on Earth – nearly nine times the European Union average. Borealis Data Center uses the geothermal energy found underground in conjunction with hydropower to deliver a constant source of electricity both day and night, no matter the weather, as opposed to other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. 

“We know our customers care just as much about being environmentally responsible organisations as IBM does and it truly requires an open, collective effort to move towards a sustainable future. This is a good example of how we are working with Borealis to create sustainable cloud solutions for companies in Denmark, that enables clients to measure, visualize, and optimize the carbon footprint of their workloads running in the hybrid cloud, and make informed decisions to accelerate their sustainability paths”, says Thomas Kovestad, General Manager, IBM Denmark. 

Borealis Data Center has been operational since 2014 and is currently running three data centers across Iceland. Within a month it will be ready to offer sustainable cloud services with IBM, which have already been generating widespread interest right from the start.

As IBM Cloud business partner, Anycloud welcomes the new sustainable cloud service:

“Our focus is already on offering customers and partners sustainable cloud solutions and products. We think that there will be a growing demand for the sustainable cloud choice as more and more companies realize this is an area where they can make a difference,” says Gregor Frimodt-Møller, CEO, Anycloud.