Green internet hub to be built in Manchester

Link: Green internet hub to be built in Manchester
Filed under: Webhosting News, Internet News

The world’s first large scale green hosting facility and Internet hub is to be built in Manchester, in a partnership involving property developer Ask:Goodman, Internet hosting specialist UKFast.Net and Manchester City Council.

The Internet exchange and hosting facility, which will be located in Manchester’s Central Park, will be built using technology to minimise carbon emissions.

It is expected to be operational in the second half of 2008.

As well as generating some of its own renewable energy, the centre will also use heat produced by server computers. It will be equipped with the latest low-power computers.

Internet hosting facilities, which are vital to the operation of the internet, are estimated to account for 0.8% of total world electricity consumption and are therefore a significant contributor to climate change.

The Manchester centre will be run by a co-operative. It is expected to attract high-tech firms, making a positive contribution to the local economy and the regeneration of North and East Manchester.