Peterborough’s DSM Group is showing the world how sustainable energy innovation and nature recovery can go hand in hand at its Sibson Eco Data Centre.
In our increasingly digitalised world, big data is big business. The global data centre market is now thought to be worth more than $500 billion. But this booming industry faces a proportionately big challenge: energy use.
It has been estimated that, globally, data centres used 415 terawatt hours of electricity in 2024 – roughly 1.5% of the world’s total electricity consumption. And this figure is only set to increase as demand for data-intensive technologies continues to grow.
But what if there was a way to meet that demand using less electricity, resulting in lower carbon emissions? What if the electricity was renewable? And what if nature could benefit at the same time?
It is a challenge that technology and data services provider DSM Group, based at Sibson, near Peterborough, has risen to with an innovative water-cooled, sunshine-powered solution: an Eco Data Centre.
The goal: an efficient, sustainable data centre
Established in 1987, DSM Group provides businesses with IT solutions such as colocation and hosting services, system recovery, and cloud backup – all of which depend on a secure, reliable data centre.
When it set out to develop a new data centre a few years ago, DSM Group recognised that traditional data centres are among the most energy intensive facilities in operation, so it sought to challenge convention by embedding sustainability into every aspect of design and delivery. Its new, next-generation data centre would have a significantly smaller environmental footprint without compromising on the highest standards of reliability and security for clients.
DSM Group set itself three goals:
- Reduce energy consumption through smart design and innovative cooling systems.
- Integrate renewable energy to power day to day operations.
- Enhance biodiversity and restore the natural environment surrounding the site.
How they did it: turning vision into reality
Making the state-of-the-art Eco Data Centre a reality was a collaborative effort. DSM Group’s in-house engineering teams worked alongside renewable energy specialists and local contractors.
The project’s flagship innovation is a custom-designed cooling lake providing natural water-based cooling for high-performance server racks, eliminating the need for traditional energy-hungry air conditioning. Water is collected from the roof the Second World War aircraft hangar in which the data centre is housed. The lake also doubles as a thriving habitat for local wildlife, forming part of DSM Group’s growing onsite nature reserve.
Complementing the lake is a 200 kWp solar farm, generating clean renewable energy to power the data centre. The combination of solar power generation and efficient cooling has greatly reduced DSM Group’s carbon footprint while maintaining exceptional service resilience and uptime for its customers.
The result: a blueprint for sustainable data hosting
Opened by the Mayor of Peterborough in September 2024, the Eco Data Centre has established DSM Group as one of the UK’s leaders in sustainable colocation and IT infrastructure.
Delivering outstanding energy efficiency, reduced emissions, and long-term resilience, the centre has set a new benchmark for how digital infrastructure can be both high performing and environmentally responsible. And thanks to habitat restoration around the lake, it is having a positive impact on local biodiversity too.
What is more, DSM Group’s ongoing commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles is resonating with customers. As organisations seek greener ways to manage their digital infrastructure, DSM’s Eco Data Centre provides a credible, future-ready solution that aligns with operational and environmental goals.
Visit the Eco Data Centre
DSM Group is inviting businesses, partners, and community stakeholders to visit its Eco Data Centre and see its sustainable innovation in action.
Get in touch to book a site tour here.