Tens of billions in investments in Akureyri

Article published by Vikubladid September 6

Ásthildur Sturludóttir, Mayor of Akureyri, was among the speakers at Advania’s Autumn Conference in Reykjavík yesterday. She spoke about the significant impact that the construction of atNorth’s data center in Akureyri and its related investments have had on the community.

Ásthildur noted that atNorth’s investments in the town will soon total around ISK 16 billion and are expected to reach approximately ISK 30 billion over time. In addition, all of the equipment and computers used in the data center are valued at ISK 100–150 billion. For comparison, she pointed out that the silicon plant at Bakki cost around ISK 40 billion, the Vaðlaheiði Tunnel about ISK 16 billion, and the planned new National Stadium in Reykjavík is estimated at ISK 14–15 billion.

She also highlighted the considerable ripple effects of atNorth’s development for local contractors, tradespeople, and technically skilled workers in Akureyri. Beyond this, the indirect impact on residents and the wider community is substantial. The data center is expected to influence Akureyri’s education sector by strengthening opportunities in technical training, while also supporting international flight connections via Akureyri Airport, as data center staff make frequent use of these services. She further mentioned positive indirect effects for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses — with benefits felt across the community. Finally, Ásthildur referred to the agreement signed last summer on utilizing excess heat from atNorth, provided free of charge for community projects. “The first step in this journey is to use the heat to warm greenhouses at Hlíðarvellir, near atNorth, where students at primary and secondary school level can work on sustainable cultivation of vegetables and fruits in a technologically advanced learning environment. The aim is for the greenhouse to be ready this autumn or early winter, giving young people in Akureyri the chance to learn about sustainable food production and improved energy use in practice,” said Ásthildur Sturludóttir, Mayor of Akureyri, at Advania’s Autumn Conference in Reykjavík yesterday.

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