Introduction
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Nairobi-based IXAfrica Data Centres. This collaboration aims to launch East Africa's first and largest hyperscale data center, poised to revolutionize Kenya’s digital landscape by delivering stable, reliable, and sustainable cloud services.
State-of-the-Art Technology
The new Tier 3+ facility, named NBOX1, features cutting-edge technology and a robust power train based on Schneider Electric’s medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) switchgear. This advanced infrastructure ensures seamless operation and high availability for cloud service providers, catering to the region's increasing demand for data-intensive applications and services.
Renewable Energy Integration
One of the project's most notable aspects is its dedication to sustainability. NBOX1 leverages Kenya’s abundant solar and geothermal resources to power the data center, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and aligning with Kenya’s ambitious renewable energy goals. Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure for Data Centers architecture and solutions underpin the entire project, providing NBOX1 with maximum resilience, uptime, and cost efficiency.
N+1 Redundancy
Engineered to support N+1 redundancy with four independent power trains, NBOX1 guarantees a 99.999% uptime, a critical factor for businesses reliant on cloud services. This high availability ensures that businesses can operate without disruption, fostering a reliable digital ecosystem in East Africa.
Energy Efficiency
Ifeanyi Odoh, Schneider Electric’s Country President in East Africa, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting IXAfrica’s immediate and long-term objectives, including achieving a design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.25 across the campus. A lower PUE signifies greater energy efficiency, positioning NBOX1 as a model for sustainable data center operations.
Impact on Kenya’s Digital Economy
The launch of NBOX1 is expected to have a transformative impact on Kenya’s digital economy. By providing a world-class facility for cloud services, the data center will attract both local and international businesses, fostering innovation, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth.
Climate Change and Sustainable Development
The data center's focus on renewable energy aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, making it a model for sustainable development in the region. This commitment to sustainability not only benefits the environment but also sets a precedent for future developments in the region.
Driving Digital Transformation
As East Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, the Schneider Electric-IXAfrica partnership marks a pivotal moment in the region’s technological evolution. The NBOX1 hyperscale data center is a testament to the potential for collaboration and innovation to drive sustainable growth and create a brighter digital future for the region.
