Lefdal Mine Datacenter

The story

Between Måløy and Nordfjordeid in western Norway, the Lefdal Mine extracted olivine until 2008, leaving behind six levels of subterranean chambers descending below sea level. In 2017 the mine reopened as a high-density colocation facility where modular container racks roll directly into massive carved rock halls. Cooling water is drawn from the 560-meter depth of the adjacent Nordfjord at a steady 8°C year-round, delivering PUE ratings as low as 1.10 on 100% renewable hydropower. With 120,000 m² of underground space, Lefdal offers high physical security in deep mountain rock.

Notable

• Built inside a six-level underground olivine mine spanning 120,000 square meters of floor space.
• Cooled by cold seawater pumped from the adjacent Nordfjord at a depth of 560 meters where water stays 8°C year-round.
• Operates with reported PUE between 1.10 and 1.15 using zero evaporative water consumption.
• Containers manufactured by Rittal are rolled directly into mine chambers on underground vehicle roadways.

Expansions

• 2017: opens with 10 MW initial IT capacity in phase 1
• 2021: Columbia Threadneedle acquires majority stake and funds expansion
• 2023: expansion toward 200 MW potential capacity continues across multiple cavern levels