The Norwegian data centre industry founds the business association Norwegian Data Centre Industry

The Norwegian data centre industry strengthens its joint co-operation and founds the business association Norwegian Data Centre Industry. The founders of the association consist of leading operators in the Norwegian data centre industry and the power companies Ringerikskraft and Statkraft. The association is placed under ICT-Norway and will strengthen the industry’s efforts for improved framework conditions and increased joint international marketing.

For the past year and a half, society has undergone a digitalisation that no one could have imagined before the pandemic. The importance of data centres as pillars of the digital infrastructure and guarantors of secure access to digital services for the public and private sectors has become very clear during this period.

The Norwegian Data Centre Industry will work to strengthen Norway’s position as a data centre nation internationally, supported by the facts that Norway offers the highest share of renewable energy in Europe, with a very low climate footprint and the lowest electricity prices. In order to attract major international players to Norway the association will work with the following topics:

• Improved framework conditions for the data centre sector.

• Simplify procedures for construction and operation of large data centres.

• Co-ordinate international marketing activities.

• Contribute to more and better educational offerings within the data centre sector.

• Promote the use of sustainable technology and contribute to reaching the climate-neutrality objective.

Chairman of the Executive Board, Norwegian Data Centre Industry, Petter M. Tømmeraas, said: “The Norwegian Data Centre Industry must be a clear voice in the public debate and must be an active driving force for necessary changes. To succeed, we need a clear, committed and well-composed executive board, with the necessary weight, breadth and experience. We’ve got it. I look forward to leading this board’s work in the future.”

Halvor Bjerke, COO DigiPlex and Board Member of the Norwegian Data Centre Industry, said: “As the leading sustainable data centre operation in Norway we are proud to be a co-founder and member of the board of this vital organisation. The growing understanding of data centres as the core infrastructure of the digital economy brings both opportunity and scrutiny. By working together under the auspices of this new group we can ensure not only that Norway continues to leverage its benefits to attract data centre customers but remains at the forefront of driving sustainability in this critical area.”