EcoDataCenter Expands Sustainable Timber Facilities in Sweden
EcoDataCenter is expanding its sustainable infrastructure in Sweden using cross-laminated timber and renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions.
EcoDataCenter operates a sustainable datacentre in Falun, Sweden, that utilizes cross-laminated timber to reduce embodied carbon by three times compared to traditional steel and concrete structures. The facility runs on 100% renewable energy, consisting of 75% hydroelectric and 25% wind power, and integrates with the local district heating system to reuse excess heat. Initiated by the local government in 2010, the project sourced 90% of its suppliers locally to ensure community integration.
The company is now expanding with a second, larger site in Borlänge, scheduled to open in 2027 on a former paper mill brownfield site. This model of community consensus and regulation contrasts with the approach of US hyperscalers like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, who are building large-scale facilities across the Nordics.
These larger tech firms have faced significant criticism for their regional operations. Google apologized for the illegal felling of 250,000 trees in Finland to clear a site, while contractors for Microsoft in Gävle, Sweden, were accused of providing poor labor conditions.
