Elly Yates-Roberts |
Microsoft has opened a new data centre region in Sweden, giving customer’s access to the data security, privacy and storage of Microsoft 365 and Azure within the country.
Businesses of all sizes and across all industries can now host their cloud workloads in Microsoft’s Swedish data centres. They can benefit from the EU Data Boundary for the Microsoft Cloud, which enables them to process and store their data in the EU. Dynamics 365 and Power Platform will also be available within a year.
“As Swedish industries and enterprises look to adopt and innovate on Microsoft’s platform, our data centre investments build on our portfolio of products and services while meeting important data residency, security and compliance needs,” said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft.
The data centres – located in Gävle, Sandviken and Staffanstorp – are powered by carbon-free energy and support zero-waste operations. Microsoft has partnered with bp, Enlight Renewable Energy, European Energy, NTR, Prime Capital and wpd for new renewable energy projects.
“Our Swedish data centres are among the most sustainably designed and operated in the world,” said Hélène Barnekow, general manager of Microsoft Sweden. “This is an important launch for Sweden and Europe, as I am of the firm conviction that new tech innovation is the most important enabler for the world to reach the global sustainability targets. By moving to the cloud, we create new opportunities to accelerate the transformation to a more sustainable future – together.”
Many Swedish customers are already using Microsoft’s cloud services, including Combitech, Handelsbanken, PostNord and Sandvik Coromant.
“The close partnership with Microsoft Sweden is an important part of our cloud strategy,” said Jörgen Hellberg, chief information officer of PostNord. “We will work together to upskill our workforce to ensure we have the right digital competence to transform and to deliver.
“In addition, PostNord’s clear sustainability agenda aligns well with Microsoft’s. The opening of Microsoft data centre region in Sweden show us that they are committed to the digital success of Sweden, an important factor for PostNord when selecting Microsoft as our strategic cloud provider.”