Citigroup plans to build a $232 million LEED-certified data center in Frankfurt, Greener Computing reports. The data center, which the company said would cost no more to build than a traditional facility, will go online in March 2008.
Citigroup estimates that the facility will save 11,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and cut energy use at the site by 75 percent.
"I am very proud that Frankfurt was chosen among sites of 52 other countries for this important and innovative operation", said Mayor Petra Roth.
It will save up to 25% percent on electrical energy consumption compared to conventional data centers. 16,000 megawatt hours will be saved each year, the equivalent needed to power 3,000 family homes.
"Our new data center will be our largest outside of the United States, but you won't know that from our electrical bills," said Harnett. The amount of carbon dioxide escaping into the atmosphere will be up to 11,000 tons less annually than conventional centers of that size. Savvy water management, including natural drainage of almost 90% of the rainwater, will save up to 46.5 million liters in water usage every year.
The new data center will employ 40 people, including 20 new hires. It will provide IT services of Citi's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "This data center shows, that we take serious our commitment for the environment. We were able to create a green facility within the same capital cost as that of a conventional data center. In addition the lower operating cost over the life cycle of the building is significant", said Sue Harnett.
In May 2007 Citi announced a $50 million program to address climate change. Citi will invest up to $10 billion dollars to reduce its own environmental footprint. The goal is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from their more than 14,500 facilities worldwide by 10% by 2011. "As the world's largest financial service company, we're well aware of our responsibility in tackling climate change," said Harnett.
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