The Telegraph: Social networking giant Facebook has announced that it will build its first non-U.S. data center in Luleå in northern Sweden. The region’s cold temperatures (averaging 35.6F) are a key draw, as the facility will be able to use outside air for cooling, reducing energy use. However, even with the benefit of the low temperature, the data center will require 120MW of power, enough for 16,000 homes.
Other reasons for choosing Luleå as a site include a nearby dam which produces plenty of power and Sweden’s excellent Internet connectivity.