Swiss data centres: Innovative and sustainable
Engineering excellence: The foundation of Swiss data centres
Switzerland's reputation for engineering excellence extends seamlessly to its data centre industry. The thorough approach of Swiss data centre designers and engineers ensures state-of-the-art infrastructure that meets the demanding needs of modern businesses, offering high performance, reliability, and scalability. With Swiss’s key position in (data) security and its demonstrated stability, it is an appealing location for storing sensitive and valuable data.The development of Switzerland's digital infrastructure relies on transferring international traffic through advanced technologies and neighbouring countries due to the absence of direct access to submarine cables. Despite this challenge, Swiss data centres have managed to maintain cutting-edge capabilities and experts predict the country’s data centre market will reach a substantial 2.8 billion USD by 2027.
At the forefront of the Swiss data centre market is Zurich, housing over a third of all data centres in the country. The city has earned a prominent position, ranking third in the global data centre market comparison for the EMEA region in 2023. This recognition highlights Zurich’s significance as a hub for data centre development and innovation.
In addition to Zurich’s leadership, other Swiss cities play crucial roles in the data centre market. Geneva and Basel also hold importance as centres of data infrastructure and technology advancement in the country.
Balancing affordability and innovation
While Switzerland offers a wealth of advantages as a data centre location, it is also known for its high costs of living and construction. The costs associated with data centre building in Switzerland have become a significant challenge for businesses and investors. Balancing the need for state-of-the-art facilities with cost-effectiveness becomes a key consideration in planning and executing data centre projects.Apart from the initial development costs, operating and renting servers in Switzerland also comes with considerable expenses. The construction costs in Zurich are found to be the most expensive in Europe, as was determined in a report by Savills. However, on the topic of Infrastructure and Technology, the Swiss city outperforms numerous other data centre cities.
This indicates that establishing a presence in Switzerland can indeed be cost-intensive, particularly in terms of construction costs. However, it also underscores the significant advantages offered by the city in terms of infrastructure and technology. Cost management becomes a crucial consideration for businesses looking to enter the Swiss data centre market.
Navigating Switzerland's non-EU status
Switzerland's unique position outside of the European Union can introduce complexities for contractors and companies operating within its borders. The absence of EU membership means that regulations, trade agreements, and standards may differ, which poses challenges to cross-border operations and compliance. Moreover, material certification in Switzerland does not always align seamlessly with international or European approvals, demanding additional precision and diligence in the planning and execution of projects within the country. Navigating these nuances requires a keen understanding of Swiss regulations.Permitting and regulations
The permitting process for data centre construction holds significant importance when establishing a new facility in Switzerland. In a country known for its stringent progressive regulations and careful planning, obtaining the necessary permits for data centre designs can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. It’s important to note that the regulations do not only vary with other countries but vary from Kanton to Kanton in Switzerland itself. Navigating through the intricacies of local laws and regulations requires careful planning and expertise to ensure a smooth and timely approval process.
One of the primary challenges faced by data centre development in Switzerland is meeting the strict noise emission requirements. Given the critical nature of data centre operations that require 24/7 uptime, the facilities operate continuously, resulting in constant noise generation. To protect residential areas and the environment the country has stringent noise regulations in place. As a consequence, developing a new data centre in Switzerland entails the daunting task of finding solutions to meet the noise requirements without compromising the availability and energy-efficient performance of the facility.
Local communities are actively involved in data centre development. Switzerland’s decentralised decision-making process grants significant power to local communities in permit approvals. These communities have a say in crucial aspects of data centre construction, such as building height and aesthetics. This collaborative approach ensures that data centres seamlessly integrate into the local surroundings, enhancing the overall image of these facilities. It is vital to involve local stakeholders early on and carefully consider community interests when developing a new data centre.
At Royal HaskoningDHV, we have a local presence and an experienced team who successfully navigate these intricate permitting processes. This includes the required pre-approval steps, to optimise timelines and facilitate a smooth approval process. If you require assistance or have any questions regarding data centre development in Switzerland, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Green data centre initiatives
Switzerland's commitment to sustainability extends to the data centre industry, where numerous initiatives aim to minimise environmental impact. Many Swiss data centres have undertaken green initiatives to minimise their environmental impact. With the PUE in data centres averaging 1.3, data centres in Switzerland score high on energy efficiency. From adopting energy-efficient cooling systems to sourcing renewable energy, these data centres strive to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal performance.To further assess and promote data centre efficiency and climate impact, Switzerland has introduced a new label. The Swiss DataCenter Efficiency Association (SDEA) is an independent organisation responsible for certifying and awarding this label to data centres meeting the requirements. The certification incorporates key performance indicators (KPIs) such as IT infrastructure efficiency, data centre infrastructure efficiency and data centre carbon footprint, providing a comprehensive overview of a data centre’s efficiency.
The Swiss government plays an active role in optimising resource utilisation, particularly during critical periods like winter. To avoid power shortages, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy initiates programs that pool the power generators of data centres. The government fully covers the integration and operation costs, even offering a small margin for data centre operators. This proactive approach not only promotes energy efficiency but also reflects the government’s unwavering support for data centre initiatives across the country.
Are you looking into expanding your data centre facilities in Switzerland or need assistance in the development of your new facility? Learn how our proven data centre design and engineering expertise can help. Reach out to learn more and discover how we can elevate your data centre project to the next level of excellence.
