NORWEGIAN DATA CENTRE INDUSTRY
International Marketing , Power & Grid and Skills Development .
Each of the groups is working on different projects . The Sustainability working group , for example , is focused on heat reuse projects . As the Norwegian operators already tick the box for renewable energy and worldleading power-efficiency , heat reuse is the next step on the road to carbon neutrality . “ We are also looking at how we can get consistent and transparent reporting on climate factors , so we can compare apples with apples in terms of other markets or other countries ,” Rønning explains .
Rønning says that the global data centre industry is in short supply of personnel such as electricians and people who work with cooling and heating technology . Although the situation in Norway is not as critical , the Skills Development group aims to spur development of skilled resources to the DC industry . “ We are actively working with schools to develop apprenticeship programmes to encourage more young people into the business ,” he says .
Then there ’ s what Rønning refers to as the working group for power-related issues . He wholeheartedly believes that Norway is equal to other countries when it comes to building grids , launching projects , and having on-site power availability . This is , however , cumbersome work as Rønning points out . “ You ’ re working with large , monopolistic organisations like grid providers and so forth , and we are actively working to see how we make the permit processes for power grid construction more effective .”
The last of the four groups is International Marketing , which aims to promote Norway as a sustainable data centre destination . “ We have so many sites , so much renewable power and so much connectivity and competence to offer . We have a vibrant data centre industry in Norway today that is open for business to take in new clients who are looking for cost-effective and sustainable solutions ,” Rønning says .
Norway ’ s unique position as a sustainable data centre location Sustainability also plays an important part in the association ’ s strategy , as the industry Continues page 12 � EXECUTIVE BIO
BJØRN RØNNING
TITLE : CEO INDUSTRY : DATA CENTRES LOCATION : OSLO , NORWAY
Bjørn Rønning is the CEO of
Norwegian Data Center Industry , a trade association , and the voice of the data center industry in Norway . Mr . Ronning is a telecom professional and has through his career worked as an advisor in the national and international digital infrastructure space , including terrestrial and subsea fiber optic networks , data centres and related digital infrastructure .