Sweden ranked best in the Nordics

The Data Centre Risk Index 2013 evaluates risks likely to affect the successful operation of datacenter facilities in the 30 most important global markets. According to the report, Sweden ranks 3rd globally, only surpassed by the US and Great Britain.

The aim of the Data Centre Risk Index is to help companies to make informed investment decisions about where to locate their datacenters to increase efficiency, lower costs and to develop strategies to mitigate anticipated risk. In the report, factors such as sustainability, internet connectivity, ease of doing business and the likelihood of natural disasters or political instability are all taken into consideration and are individually weighted to reflect different risk levels.

Sweden’s high scores relating to sustainability, international internet bandwidth, ease of doing business and political stability helped increase its ranking from last year’s 8th place to this year’s position above all other locations surveyed in Europe apart from the UK. The executive summary of The Data Centre Risk Index 2013 states:

“But it is the Nordics, powered predominantly by hydroelectricity and with comparatively low energy unit costs, which are becoming an increasingly attractive global data centre location. Consequently, the region dominates this year’s global top 10: Sweden is ranked as the third safest place worldwide to base a data centre, rising from eighth last year, while Iceland (seventh), Norway (eighth) and Finland (ninth) all feature in prominent positions.

The report is produced by international consulting firms Cushman & Wakefield, Hurleypalmerflatt and Source8.

Swedish Datacenter Initiative – showcase at Datacentres Europe May 29-30
To meet the growing need for datacenter locations, Sweden has formed a unique initiative with teams in 10 regions around the country with shovel-ready sites in close proximity to the electricity grid and fibre networks. The initiative has support from a number of well-known companies, e.g. energy giant Vattenfall, fibre-optic network operator TeliaSonera International Carrier and Coromatic, experts on datacenter design and operation.

Sweden reinforced its position in 2011 when Facebook chose Luleå, close to the Arctic circle, for their first datacenter outside of the US.

From an already strong starting-point, Sweden has committed a further 45 billion USD over the next 10 years for investments in electricity production including hydro power and strengthening of the national grid. (Source: SCB, Svensk Energi).

Meet representatives from The Swedish Datacenter Initiative at the annual conference Datacentres Europe in Nice, May 29th and 30th. We are pleased to arrange interviews with Swedish participants and discuss the Swedish offer in detail.

Speakers include:

• Data Center Power – on or off grid? The powerful Swedish case
  Rick Abrahamsson, Vice President, Head of Vattenfall Group Data Center Initiative
• Fiber and Connectivity
  Mattias Fridström, VP and Head of Technology, TeliaSonera International Carrier
• European Power Supply and Procurement for Data centres – panel discussion
  Arne Jansson, Marketing Director Energy Trading, Scandem

Read more: Swedish Datacenter Initiative, Datacentres Europe.

For more information or booking of interviews, please contact:
Marie Elfstrand, Press Manager, Business Sweden +46 72237 0763, marie.elfstrand@business-sweden.se
Tomas Sokolnicki, Investment Advisor, Business Sweden, tomas.sokolnicki@business-sweden.se

Business Sweden is a merger between the Swedish Trade Council and Invest Sweden. We strengthen and promote Sweden as an attractive, innovative and competitive business partner. With around 500 employees in 57 countries and in every region in Sweden, we facilitate for Swedish companies to grow internationally and for foreign companies to invest in Sweden. Business Sweden is owned by the Swedish government and the industry. The shared ownership provides access to contacts and networks at all levels.

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