Dutch Greenhouse CHP's to provide Microsoft data center with electricity

The growers affiliated with Agriport are joint owners of th Energie Centrale Wieringermeer (ECW). Microsoft also joined the ECW. "The growers can now vent their electricity without being dependent on the national grid," says Jack Kranenburg of Agriport.

"Thanks to the ECW we have a robust infrastructure, we are well connected to the national grid," Kranenburg explains. "And the land is guaranteed to receive electricity, even if there is something wrong with the national grid." The relatively short distance to Amsterdam is also important. "That's the most important Internet hub in Europe. Due to the short distance there are few chances of failure, and delays in the line (Latency) are likely to be minimal."

The advent of Microsoft is not the only construction activity on the site. Currently people are working on two geothermal wells. For the next few weeks, the completion of two distribution centres (Graham & Brown and Dakoplast) are on the schedule. Early January will also see the construction of the premises of Cablon Assembly.