T4 Group director David Simpson today confirmed plans to build a Tier 4 data centre in Southland, despite recent uncertainty surrounding the construction of the DataGrid data centre.
The group’s plan is to build New Zealand’s first sustainable Tier4 data centre, which will run off two power supplies, ensuring there is a 100% effective uptime, meaning it should never go down.
Mr Simpson said the work was well under way as they were negotiating land purchases and had developed several international partnerships.
Stage one of the project was expected to start between May and June, he said.
He believed it would provide businesses and individuals with secure and sustainable data storage and processing.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing this level of security and uptime to the region and the project will also be a New Zealand first as there are no other Tier 4 data centres in the country.
“It’s wonderful to have this burgeoning industry in Southland, and even more incredible to have DataGrid’s journey take place alongside ours,” Mr Simpson said.
Last week, Meridian Energy voiced concerns over the multi-million DataGrid data centre still being built in Southland after the departure of entrepreneur Remi Galasso from the company behind the project.
On Thursday, the Southland Chamber of Commerce and Great South released a statement which said retaining the Tiwai Smelter and hydrogen production was not an ‘‘either-or’’ scenario.
Both industries could co-exist and complement each other, creating even more economic opportunities for Southland, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds was pleased the construction of the T4Group’s data centre in Southland was on track.
“I support this project because of the tremendous potential it has for our province going forward.
“It will create employment during construction and, once completed, will position Southland at the forefront of this technology.’’
