Plans to build a cloud computing infrastructure based on a network of sustainable, locally integrated YEXIO data centers in Europe
HOCHTIEF subsidiary HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions founds the joint venture Yorizon with leading German server and storage systems manufacturer Thomas-Krenn.AG. The start-up offers high-performance, secure and sustainable cloud computing solutions.
The long-term goal is to build a network of sustainable, decentralized and locally integrated data centers in Europe. The first of the YEXIO series with Yorizon equipment will open in Heiligenhaus (NRW, Germany) in summer 2025. The land for two more of these data centers has already been secured. Three more sites are to be acquired by the end of the year, and further locations are planned for 2025. In May of this year, HOCHTIEF signed an extension of its cooperation with the Palladio infrastructure fund from 5 to 15 data centers.
“HOCHTIEF has successfully positioned itself in the fast-growing global market for digital infrastructure. We aim to expand our strong presence in this strategic area with a differentiated range of services by leveraging our strong track record and client relationships with our engineering and supply chain expertise and local presence in key developed markets,” says Juan Santamaría, CEO of HOCHTIEF. Group companies are leading builders of data centers and are particularly active in the most developed markets globally including North America, the Asia-Pacific, India, and Europe.
“AI, digitalization and ever more data - the demand for future-proof IT infrastructure will continue to grow,” explains Christoph Maier, CEO of joint venture partner Thomas-Krenn.AG. “With our cutting-edge hardware, we as a European provider are setting new standards in terms of performance, security and sustainability. With HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions at our side, we are also achieving maximum efficiency in terms of infrastructure.”
“With Yorizon, we're venturing into new territory by collaborating with innovative partners to enhance the overall system, both economically and ecologically, beyond just building infrastructure. By integrating hardware solutions from Thomas-Krenn, we've successfully expanded our YEXIO product into a comprehensive, all-in-one offering”, explains Bernd Holtwick, CFO and COO at HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions. “Additionally, our buildings are designed to seamlessly integrate with the urban infrastructure. This alignment allows us to channel the waste heat generated directly into municipal heating networks or, for example, into public swimming pools.”
The new joint venture Yorizon will benefit from HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions' extensive know-how in the development and implementation of concession and operator projects in the areas of IT infrastructure, timber-based life-cycle construction, energy and digitalization. Thomas-Krenn.AG contributes to the quality of Yorizon solutions with servers specially developed for YEXIO data centers, including the associated service.
The software, which is specially tailored to the data center's cloud architecture and environment, comes from Germany and meets the highest standards of security and compliance. The joint green IT offering thus brings cloud and server solutions to the European market, where all components are offered from a single source.
To optimize its sustainability performance, Yorizon will implement energy- and resource-saving construction methods and procure renewable and regional energy sources. In addition, the innovative liquid cooling system developed by Thomas-Krenn.AG and the feeding of residual heat into municipal heating networks help to minimize the ecological footprint. This means that the environment, local authorities and customers benefit equally from the tailor-made, demand-oriented solutions.
The first YEXIO data center, which will open in Heiligenhaus in summer 2025, will offer an IT capacity of two megawatts, which can be doubled modularly to four megawatts if required. This ensures flexible scalability in order to be able to react to growing demand and specific customer requirements. The test accesses will be allocated to potential partners and customers in the second half of 2024.