Bahrain announces first data centre powered by clean energy
Beyon, Bahrain’s leading telecom and technology company, has announced the launch of a new data centre, which will be completely powered by clean and renewable energy. This is a first for the country and is entirely powered by energy generated from the company’s Solar Park at the Beyon Data Oasis at Hamala.
The news comes in the midst of rapid widespread change within the data centre industry, with greater calls for data centres to invest in renewable energy. It is clear that developers across the world are continuing efforts to better use renewable energy strategies.
Data centres embracing renewable energy solutions
Data centres using renewable energy in this way allows energy-intensive businesses to benefit from their own supply of energy, meaning they become less reliant on the National Grid. On a more national scale, the announcement comes after Bahrain committed to zero carbon neutrality by 2060, as reported by Data Center Dynamics, at the United National Climate Change Conference in 2021.
Beyon as a company prides itself on bringing technology closer to people and businesses with in class connectivity and digital solutions. Its focus is to create an international thriving and diverse digital growth portfolio that spans across sectors including financial services, IT solutions, cybersecurity, gov-tech, and ed-tech.
According to Beyon’s press release, it is expected that Beyon’s Solar Park Phase 1 and 2 will generate 3.6 GWh of clean energy, which hopes to contribute to a carbon footprint saving of over 2000 tonnes, and a cost saving of BD105,000 (US$278,517) annually.
The Data Oasis project was announced earlier in May 2023, proposing that the new data centre will be built on a 1.5mn square ft site. It will also be connected to the SEA-ME-WE 6 and the Batelco invested-AL Khaleej cables.
Quoted in the recent announcement, Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said: “Beyon’s efforts towards sustainability and clean energy production continues, and we have made great progress since the launch of the first phase of the Solar Park in November 2021. Today we are glad to announce the completion of the second phase of the project.
“We are also very proud of an unprecedented achievement in the telecommunications and technology sector, as Beyon’s Data Centre became the first in Bahrain to rely entirely on clean energy generated from the company’s Solar Park, which is located in the Beyon Data Oasis.”
He added: “Thus, we have set clear plans to start implementing the third phase of this project, which will be located in Hamala. Upon completion of this phase, the total clean energy production of Beyon will be approximately 6 GWh per year.”
