Grand Liepaja Data Center
The Grand Liepaja Data Center is intended to be a data storage facility in Liepaja, Latvia used by information technology, internet enterprises and financial services businesses across Europe. It is designed to store extremely large amounts of data, estimated to be on the order of exabytes or higher.
The company H-TAB Digi Technology announced the development of the Grand Liepaja Data Center in March 2014. Construction will start in August 2014 and is expected to be complete in 2019. With a developable area of 94, 000 square meters it will be the 5th biggest data center in the world.
Development Information
Development Start
- Autumn 2014
Development Finish
- 2019
Jobs directly created on site
- 25
Development cost
- 730 Million Euros
Developable area
- 94,000 square meters
Geography
The exact location of the Grand Liepaja Data Center is north of Jurmala Park, also known as the Seaside Park of Liepaja. The Park has enough space for the Data Center; the only thing to be removed, apart from trees, is the RUiN of an old Bathhouse, designed by Paul Max Bertschy in 1902.
Liepaja as ideal location
H-TAB Digi Technology chose Liepaja as the site for the development of the Data Center because it has the ideal conditions to support data center operation. Its remote location ensures security from data theft. It is located at the sea and has a cold climate, which means that cold water as well as cold air can be used for cooling.
Liepaja, known as ‘the city of the winds’ further has promising renewable energy sources, particularly wind, that should be used to power the data center.
Green Data Center
The building will be built according to international green building standards and is expected to achieve a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certificate.
Design and Aesthetics
The building will be equipped with the latest most innovative technology.
According to Paula Sorak, Project Manager at H-TAB Digi Technology, and in charge of the Design and Architecture Concept of the Grand Liepaja Data Center, only the finest concrete from Japan will be used for construction. The building should harmoniously fit into the surrounding and the aesthetics should be sensitive to the cultural and physical context as well as to the history and heritage of the town.
The Grand Liepaja Spa
On the roof of the Grand Liepaja Data Center will be the Grand Liepaja Spa, making the Data Center a multi-functional one. The Spa is another function that makes the building green, as the exhaust heat energy will be reused and recycled in the spa pool.
The 100% penetration-free glass used for the pool makes it possible for swimmers to see the servers beneath them. According to the website there will further be a café and a restaurant on the roof providing a unique view onto the sea.
Anticipated Benefits for Liepaja
Construction of the Grand Liepaja Data Center is expected to enrich Liepaja and shape its identity by ultimately positioning it as a refined, specialized information technology hub on a global scale.
The construction is also expected to benefit Liepaja’s economy immensely through the capital of the added infrastructure itself, but also through the investment attracted subsequently.