Etix Everywhere Borealis has signed contracts with Icelandic providers securing a total of 45 MW of green power. These contracts will support the expansion of its HPC and Blockchain data centres in the country.
The contracts have been signed with Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland, for 25 MW of green power, and ON Power for more than 10 MW. The remaining 10MW were signed for in 2016 with HS Orka.
These power purchase agreements will provide Etix Blockchain and Etix Everywhere Borealis with 45 MW of renewable and reliable hydro and geothermal power to fuel existing and future HPC & Blockchain data centre sites. The facilities are built to suite for HPC applications using the ambient conditions in Iceland resulting in one of the most cost effective HPC operations anywhere.
In parallel, a power transmission contract was signed on December 21st 2018 with Landsnet, the Icelandic Transmission Operator, to ensure the delivery of the additiobal power.
“It was essential to partner with the main providers in Iceland in order to secure this large amount of power.” explained Björn Brynjúlfsson, CEO of Etix Everywhere Borealis. “Demand for large scale HPC and Blockchain services is growing at a rapid pace and we are now in a position to continue to support our customers growth plans.”
Today, 100% of the energy used on Etix Blockchain sites is green and renewable. The three power providers are committed to produce renewable energy: Landsvirkjun owns and operates both hydro and geothermal power plants in Iceland with a large hydropower station in the Blönduós area while ON Power and HS Orka produce geothermal energy.
Iceland is one of the leading markets for HPC and Blockchain. “Many industries will soon embrace Blockchain and HPC technology, in particular with the booming development of artificial intelligence applications.” said Antoine Gaury, Head of Etix Blockchain.
“This new demand will result in the segmentation between premium data centres (Tier III and IV standards) and more affordable facilities to evolve. Intermediary standards offering competitive financial solutions in line with the quality requirements of institutional customers are going to appear. Iceland is the perfect location to implement those intermediary standards and to offer attractive terms to our clients.”
Iceland has become one of the world’s prime location for HPC and Blockchain. Its naturally cold climate, necessary for the direct free cooling of the servers, as well as the abundance of renewable energy – geothermal and hydroelectric – are undeniable benefits to reach an ambitious PUE.
All facilities, currently being built by Etix Blockchain are designed to suite for HPC applications using the full potential of ambient conditions in Iceland.
