Related theme: Responsible Investing
Period: 2019 - ongoing
Client: Various large and medium businesses, Spain
TAUW contact:
Eva Cortes Cabrera
In an increasingly digitized world, demand for cloud and server space is growing. Many companies are now choosing to construct their own data centres, to better control their operations. Data centres are an upcoming sector in Spain due to the availability of green renewable energy, land and the proximity to submarine communications cables that connect the Iberian peninsula. TAUW Iberia guides these clients through the entire process from site reconnaissance, permitting, construction and the operational stage.
Quite often, data centres require large amounts of energy and water to operate. And with the world relying more and more on digital services, this sector is strongly driven by sustainability. On the Iberian peninsula, locations on which to build are readily available but water is not. Finding a suitable plot with the availability of green energy and water supply, combined with impact-mitigation opportunities is a challenge.
Tech companies are setting up data centres fast and planning schedules are tight. In Spain, this fast-growing sector is not fully regulated yet and as a result, the permitting process is not always clear-cut. Companies need reliable partners to navigate the process, assuring legal compliance and finding the most sustainable solutions to ensure the long-term viability of projects.
Working together with top engineers and designers, such as our partner and client ARUP, we develop the best creative solutions to design data centres that are in line with highest sustainability standards.
Site selection and risk assessment
TAUW worked with several clients to find suitable locations, carried out a site-specific risk assessment and guided them through the permitting process. Our in-depth risk analysis includes potential pollution, biodiversity, fire and explosion hazard on site and natural risks such as flooding and impact of extreme weather conditions. We also assess the long-term consequences of climate change on business operations.
Our consultancy goes beyond simply meeting the clients’ requirements. On these projects, we worked closely with the design engineers to provide solutions that benefit the client and the environment. Our solutions include sustainable water resources management and measures to compensate the loss of biodiversity or even improve the natural capital in the surrounding areas.
Environmental permitting
At the moment, the digital industry is an emerging sector in Spain. Clients are not aware which permits are required and how to go about the procedure. Our consultants have excellent connections with the local, regional and national authorities, which allows us to guide our clients through the permitting process as quickly and effectively as possible.
The permitting phase may take nine months to a year. For the sake of efficiency, we prepare our clients for the following construction phase. That includes identifying which surveys can already be undertaken, such as surveying bird nesting times and when to set up meetings with water authorities. We are the single point of contact for our clients, with an integral vision of the project, which speeds up the licensing process.
Our greatest impact in these projects is our long-term contribution to a sustainable living environment by smart, forward-looking solutions that have a positive effect on the environment. As the demand for digitization increases, data centres are flourishing. At TAUW, we feel it is important to be involved in this industry from the design phase and even before, so that we can include environmental and sustainability solutions. Our services not only mitigate the impact of this industry on the environment, we work with our clients to ensure sustainable, long-term business operations.
Together with our partners, we propose sustainable solutions in the design phase that convince our clients of the advantages to their long-term operations and the environment.
We are proud to have excellent relationships with our partners, end clients and local authorities.
‘’These kind of data center development projects are very enriching for TAUW: a flourishing industry with significant social potential to which we can contribute with our vision of sustainability and the interrelation between the environment and society.‘’ - Eva Cortes Cabrera, Business Unit Manager TAUW Iberia
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