Start Campus: Europe’s New Benchmark for Sustainable Data Centers
Start Campus is setting a new industry standard for green data centers with its SINES DC campus in Sines, Portugal-one of Europe’s largest and most sustainable digital infrastructure projects.
Innovative Cooling and Energy Solutions
Start Campus distinguishes itself with its state-of-the-art seawater cooling technology, which uses the Atlantic Ocean as a natural heat sink. This system achieves a Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) of zero, a critical achievement in an industry often challenged by high water consumption. The campus also maintains a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) as low as 1.1, reflecting exceptional energy efficiency. All operations are powered by 100% renewable energy, leveraging Portugal’s robust renewable grid.
Net Zero and Circular Economy Commitment
The company is targeting Net Zero emissions by 2030, tracking and reducing carbon across Scopes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Start Campus repurposes existing infrastructure to reduce its carbon footprint and is dedicated to minimizing environmental impact at every stage, from construction to ongoing operations.
Certifications and Industry Recognition
Both SIN01 and SIN02 facilities are certified OCP Ready™ v2 for hyperscale data centers, a first for Southern Europe and a mark of leadership in open, modular, and energy-efficient design.
The campus is ISO 27001 certified and pursuing additional certifications such as SOC 2 and NIS 2, ensuring both security and environmental best practices.
Strategic Location and Connectivity
Located at the western edge of Europe, SINES DC offers direct access to major submarine and terrestrial fiber-optic cables, connecting Europe to Africa, the Americas, and Asia. This makes it a prime hub for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprises with global reach.
Socio-Economic Impact
The SINES DC project is revitalizing a former industrial area, creating an estimated 9,000 jobs and projected to contribute about 1% of Portugal’s GDP by 2030. The campus’s modular design allows for rapid scaling, with a total planned capacity of 1.2 GW across six buildings.
Summary
Start Campus’s SINES DC campus is a model for the future of sustainable data centers: powered entirely by renewables, cooled by the ocean, and built to the highest international standards. Its innovative technologies, robust certifications, and commitment to net zero make it a standout choice for environmentally conscious digital infrastructure in Europe and beyond.