The Norwegian government has recommended placing data centers along the coast to take advantage of seawater for cooling. This follows a report from the Norwegian Environment Agency which highlights that water removes heat far more efficiently than air. The agency argues that this approach could significantly reduce energy consumption and operational costs for data centers.
Norway’s cold climate and access to abundant renewable energy already make it an attractive location for data centers. Adding seawater cooling would further enhance its competitiveness. The Environment Agency’s report suggests that this method could cut cooling energy use by up to 90 percent compared to traditional air-based systems. This is particularly relevant as global demand for data storage continues to rise.
The proposal comes as Norwegian municipalities compete to attract data center projects by offering cheap electricity. Several local governments have already secured agreements with major tech companies. For example, the municipality of Rjukan recently signed a deal with a data center operator, securing 150 jobs and an annual investment of 50 million NOK.
Industry experts support the idea. "Seawater cooling is a proven technology," said Kjetil Olsen, a senior advisor at Cisco Norway. "It reduces both costs and environmental impact. Norway has the infrastructure and natural advantages to lead in this field."
Local environmental groups have raised concerns about potential ecological effects. However, the Environment Agency states that modern systems can minimize harm to marine life. The government is expected to release detailed guidelines on coastal data center placement later this year.
Source: tu.no