Lefdal Mine Data Centers create regional development

5th November 2024

Over the past year, Lefdal Mine Data Centers (LMD) has signed major contracts with customers from Germany, the USA, England and France. These contracts have resulted in several major development projects of data halls inside the mountain at Lefdal. These are complex installations that have led to a significantly increased need for resources and expertise. LMD currently has 35 employees, and we expect this number to rise to about 50 during 2025. On a normal working day, between 40 and 70 people from other companies in Nordfjord are inside our facility and deliver goods and services.

All installation and operation of infrastructure for customers is done with local resources. This amounts to approximately NOK 300 million per year. We aim to contribute to the sustainability and development of the business community in our region.

High competence in Nordfjord

Each data hall we build involves investments of around NOK 250 to 300 million. The halls have a floor area of approx. 700 m2. They are 10 meters high, spread over 2 floors. These are technically very advanced buildings with associated infrastructure that require a high level of expertise from our subcontractors.

Fortunately, we have a very competent environment in Nordfjord that provides services at an international level in many different fields. Most of the work and investments go into expanding the data halls and making them ready for moving in servers. This is customer-owned equipment that is used in artificial intelligence, for own use or as services that are resold in the market. In both cases, the production that takes place with us is very important to our customers.

There is also considerable work related to the operation of the data centers and the technical infrastructure throughout the facility. Examples are distribution of electricity, expansion of cooling capacity, installation of emergency power solutions such as UPS and generators, logistics, IT design and security.

We have various projects that are being carried out, but most include goods and services from Caverion, Simona Stadpipe, UNU, Ulvesund Elektro, Eid Elektro, Nortronikk, Sætren, Isovent, Sentronik, LocalHost, Kvernevik and Linja. In total, there are about 70 people involved from these companies when we build a data hall. This provides a turnover that contributes to growth, sustainability, more jobs and predictability for the companies.

One continuous construction project

We will be developing new data halls and associated infrastructure over the next 7-10 years. After that, the work will consist of rebuilding the data halls to prepare them for new customer contracts and new technology. These will in turn be extensive projects that give our subcontractors the opportunity to deliver goods and services for a long time to come.

"The collaboration with Lefdal Mine Data Centers and UNU has given us the opportunity to be part of a future-oriented industry here in Nordfjord. They are an important player in the region and provide suppliers like us with a stable and long-term platform for development. Through these projects, we have not only been able to contribute with our expertise, but also develop it further. It creates local jobs, strengthens our own business and lays the foundation for growth throughout the region. Rune Sætren, Managing Director, UNU AS."

"For Ulvesund Elektro, Lefdal Mine Data Centers adds both a significant share of equipment delivery and working hours for skilled workers and engineers in the transmission and control of energy to the data centers. The requirements for the customer help us to use our expertise and have provided the opportunity to increase this in exciting areas, while at the same time providing opportunities for good learning for our apprentices in several subjects. Geir Saltkjel, CTO, Ulvesund Elektro."

"Since its inception, Caverion has contributed to energy efficiency, building new buildings, performing service and operating facilities at LMD. For us, it is about sustainable development and local growth. LMD is a perfect arena for our apprentices who, in addition to the ordinary training program, also gain higher competence in several fields. Robert Engeland, Project Manager, Caverion Nordfjordeid."

"We at Eid Elektro are proud to participate in the development of Lefdal Mine Data Centers together with a number of other skilled, local suppliers. In addition to contributing enormous value creation here in Nordfjord, the innovative facility in Lefdal is also highly recognized throughout the industry. In that regard it is also an important quality stamp and reference for us when we market ourselves to other large construction projects throughout Norway. Tore Hjelle, CEO, Eid Elektro.”

"We at LocalHost AS are very grateful for the collaboration with Lefdal Mine Data Centers. Their development and growth have not only raised our own standards, but also given us opportunities to grow, hire new talent and strengthen our offering. Thanks to this partnership, we have been able to further develop our services to all our customers and contribute to local growth. We look forward to building on this fruitful collaboration. Sindre Kvalheim. CEO, LocalHost AS."

"Many of the companies take on apprentices and it is very gratifying to see the apprentices grow into their profession. Without exception, they do a formidable job on behalf of their employer and for Lefdal Mine Data Centers. The impression is also that they are happy and get a good professional platform," says Jørn Skaane, general manager of Lefdal Mine Data Centers.”

Electricity is the export of data, jobs and competence building

In order to develop the industry, Lefdal Mine Data Centers must use electricity, which is converted into data and exported over the fiber network out into the world. We currently have a reservation in the power grid of 80 MW and are applying to increase to 200 MW. This is about the same amount of electricity as is reserved for Elkem in Bremanger. On this journey, several billions will be invested in the region, and lasting skilled jobs will be built.

We have just submitted our application for more electricity to Linja. Linja continuously assesses our maturity and our right to stand in line. The queue and allocation are handled by Statnett. This can take several years. We are competing with, among other things, a planned ammonia plant in Bremanger (300 MW) and hydrogen and battery projects in the price area "N03". NO3 stretches from Nordfjord to Nord-Trøndelag. Available electricity will be used, the question is where and to which players.

For LMD, it is about refining short-distance electricity to create industry and jobs in the area where the electricity is produced. Here in Nordfjord.