Data Centers hold the key to a greener future

Article published by Observer July 21.

In the Observer, atNorth CEO Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson explores the tension between the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the pressure on businesses to deliver against ESG commitments. With the AI market expected to expand from $189 billion in 2023 to $4.8 trillion by 2033, the demand for high-density data centers will continue to soar, bringing with it unprecedented pressure on global energy systems.

Kristinsson argues that the solution lies in rethinking how data centers are designed and operated. The Nordic region provides a blueprint, with its abundance of renewable energy, naturally cool climate, and infrastructure purpose-built for efficiency. AtNorth’s eight sites across the Nordics exemplify this approach, combining modular and scalable design with features such as grid-balancing capabilities, biodiversity monitoring, and heat reuse initiatives that supply communities with residual energy. Facilities like DEN02 in Denmark integrate large-scale heat reuse to support local housing projects, ICE03 in Iceland leverages 100% renewable power and natural cooling for maximum efficiency, and FIN02 in Finland provides high-density capacity close to Helsinki, meeting both scalability and sustainability demands.

The article emphasizes that AI growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. With the right infrastructure, data centers can deliver the performance needed for AI while ensuring environmental responsibility at every stage of their lifecycle.

Read the full article here.