Once complete, the DC operator will have 64MW of critical IT capacity in Switzerland
Global data centre operator Vantage Data Centers announced that it will open a second Zurich campus (ZRH2) this summer as it continues to expand in Europe. The new carrier-neutral campus, which will provide 24MW of critical IT capacity, is located 30 kilometres north of Zurich’s City Center in Glattfelden. It is situated just over 20 kilometres from Vantage’s ZRH1 campus in Winterthur and 15 minutes from Zurich Airport.
With this campus being the company’s 33rd globally, it demonstrates just how in the current AI gold rush, the companies supplying the picks and shovels continue to thrive and secure well-heeled backers.
Last October, Vantage completed a €2.5bn investment partnership with consortium of investors led by MEAG and Infranity, along with funds affiliated with the investment management platform of DigitalBridge, to build six stabilized data centres in strategic locations across Europe. The data centres span more than 1.8 million gross square feet and 177MW of IT capacity.
The new ZRH2 will have a total of 226,000 square feet (21,000 sqm) of space for Vantage’s customers consisting of the usual suspects. ZRH2 will also offer 300W/SF (3.2kW/sqm) average densities.
“Zurich is a rapidly growing data centre market due to its strategic central location and its global financial leadership, and we expect to continue developing in this market based on customer demand,” said Vantage Data Centers president EMEA David Howson.
“Across Europe and the globe, the demand for highly efficient, hyperscale data centres is booming to meet the needs of next generation applications, from powerful AI models to high-performance computing and cloud transformation. Vantage is prepared to meet that demand for current and new customers, and we look forward to opening the doors of our latest data centre this summer,” he added.
More specs
Major fibre-based service providers are operating within a few miles of the data centre and Vantage said the facility will have two Meet-Me-Rooms allowing for “diverse paths and multiple connectivity options.” This includes two points-of-entry (POEs) ensuring maximum path diversity for inbound carriers (minimum two paths per carrier).
Vantage Data Centers has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions across its global portfolio by 2030 and said ZRH2 will deliver “industry-leading” power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage effectiveness (WUE) to support energy-efficient operations.
The operator has installed air source (ASHP) and water source (WSHP) heat pumps within ZRH2. These heat pumps will convert waste heat for use to condition administrative spaces and reduce external energy use. ZRH2 will also provide waste heat to a nearby hotel and seminar centre. Additionally, ZRH2 will utilise rainwater infiltration and a green roof to minimize environmental impacts.