The post waste heat from data centers: Finland shows how energy transition works first appeared at the online magazine Basic Thinking. You can start the day well every morning via our newsletter update.
Finland is currently showing how the energy transition can work. A central component of the country’s strategy: the use of the waste heat from data centers.
Germany has ambitious climate protection goals that are recorded in the Federal Climate Protection Act. According to this, the Federal Republic plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65 percent compared to 1990 by 2030. The number should be 88 percent by 2040. In 2045, Germany wants to achieve net greenhouse gas neutrality.
But you are still a long way from achieving these goals. The Federal Government’s climate protection report in 2025 recently became leaked. He proves that Germany threatens to miss its climate protection goals as early as 2040. But the goals for 2030 are also in danger and can only be achieved through compliance with strict measures.
Especially in the building area, the developments are “too slow to achieve the goals for 2030 or 2045 in good time,” the report says. Among other things, this includes the heat market that in Germany Almost 40 percent of all CO2 emissions matters.
For the achievement of the climate goals by 2045, the mostly fossil heat supply in Germany would have to be re -established. Finland provides a positive example of how this can succeed. Because here the waste heat from data centers is now a central component of the energy transition.
ADE resources: Finland uses the waste heat from data centers
In Finland, waste heat is not considered a “waste of energy, but a valuable resource”, explains Helmi-Nelli Körkkö, Senior Advisor at Business Finlandthe official government agency for commercial and investment funding, innovation financing, travel promotion and talent acquisition.
The consistent use of this resource is not just an “ecological necessity”. Rather, the strategy contributes to the energy transition in Finland as a decisive factor for economy and competitiveness.
Finland primarily uses industrial waste heat, which is produced, for example, by data centers. This in turn is then fed into the network or saved to compensate for fluctuations.
The Finnish production industry has thus reduced its emissions from energy purchasing by around 45 percent in the past four years. At the same time, production was increased by 43 percent.
But not only industry benefits from the strategy of Finland. This is also noticeable for consumers, for example, with electricity prices. The price for one kilowatt hour in Finland is 4.6 cents.
Finland increases a proportion of climate -neutral energy
According to Business Finland, the proportion of electricity from renewable energies is 56 percent. 95 percent of the electricity in Finland are also produced CO2-neutral.
According to the national transmission system operator Fingrid, there is an availability of 99.9995 percent. This extreme reliability of the system is also in innovative storage solutions that can compensate for fluctuations in renewable energies.
Among other things, Finland uses large sand batteries from Polar Night Energy and Europe’s largest seasonal cavern memory for thermal energy, the varanto storage of the energy company Vantaan Energy.
Google and Microsoft use waste heat from data centers in Finland
The large tech companies Google and Microsoft are also integrated into the waste heat use concept in Finland. For example, Google with its data center in the Finnish port city of Hamina will be up to 80 percent of local district heating requirements cover.
Microsoft also has one in 2022 Cooperation with the energy company Fortum announced. The waste heat should be used for the heating of apartments and shops after the completion of new data centers.
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As a tech industry expert, I am impressed by Werthms’ commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability in their data centers. Finland’s success in transitioning to renewable energy sources for their data centers serves as a great example for other countries and companies to follow.
By utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and hydro power, Werthms is not only reducing their carbon footprint but also setting a positive example for the tech industry as a whole. As the demand for data centers continues to grow, it is crucial that companies prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability in their operations.
I believe that Werthms’ approach to energy transition in their data centers is not only beneficial for the environment but also for their bottom line. By reducing energy costs and using renewable sources, they are able to improve their overall operational efficiency and competitiveness in the market.
Overall, I see Werthms’ efforts in Finland as a positive step towards a more sustainable future for the tech industry. I hope that more companies will follow their lead and prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability in their data center operations.
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