atNorth, a Nordic high-density colocation and built-to-suit data center provider, will provide surplus heat from its DEN02 data center in Ølgod to a greenhouse complex being developed by Selected Group, an international alternative investment partnership, with the first phase scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2028.
According to a press release, the greenhouse will be located directly beside the data center and will use heat recovered from DEN02 to maintain growing conditions. The project is designed to enable year-round production of fruit and vegetables in Denmark, including during the winter months when domestic production is more limited.
Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO, atNorth, said, “This partnership demonstrates exactly what responsible digital infrastructure should look like. By collaborating with Selected Group, we can transform surplus heat into a valuable resource that supports local food production, reduces carbon emissions and strengthens community resilience. DEN02 is designed to integrate into Ølgod community, and this project exemplifies this.”
Peter Nielsen, CEO, Selected Group, said, “Every unit of surplus heat should create value. By partnering with atNorth to convert surplus heat into local food production, we are demonstrating how digital infrastructure can strengthen food security while reducing emissions. We believe this model can be replicated wherever large-scale data centers are built.”
The first phase will substantially reduce carbon emissions compared with a greenhouse heated with fossil fuels. The development will expand as DEN02 grows and is expected to create jobs during construction and subsequent operations.
The project is also intended to address Denmark’s dependence on imported fresh produce. Most fruit and vegetables sold in Denmark are currently imported, particularly outside the domestic growing season. Using surplus heat from the data center will allow part of that production to take place locally while making use of heat that would otherwise be wasted.