Our data centre

We have chosen Lefdal Mine Datacenter AS (LMD) as the strategic home for our data centre needs, supporting the national storage system, NIRD, and paving the way for future national supercomputers.

The first national system to enter the old mine was the new national storage system NIRD (National Infrastructure for Research Data), which was installed in 2022.

The Sigma2/NRIS building inside Lefdal Mine Datacenter.
60 meters below ground, 700 meters inside a mountain, Lefdal Mine Datacentre is the perfect stronghold for our nation's vital research data.

Placed within the depths of a disused mine in picturesque West Norway, Lefdal Mine Datacenter offers a unique blend of security and sustainability, making it an ideal setting for our critical national e-infrastructure systems.

Mine turned data centre

LMD uses the old Lefdal mine facilities located between Måløy and Nordfjordeid in Vestland county. This provides very high general and physical security for the computer systems placed there. The mine was previously used for the extraction of olivine.

A 3D illustration of the vast mountain area that constitutes the Lefdal Mine Datacenter.
The old olivine mine system is impressively vast, covering more than 120,000 square meters within the mountain's numerous levels.

Our commitment to environmental responsibility is at the heart of our e-infrastructure solutions. With every new acquisition, we prioritise eco-friendly practices. Our systems are powered by clean, green energy, and we harness the cooling waters of the fjord. It's not just about technology; it's about a sustainable, forward-looking future.

The first supercomputer is expected to be installed at the data centre in 2024. The existing national e-infrastructure systems are located at our partner universities and will remain there until they go out of service.

Boosting local business

LMD proudly partners with local businesses in West Norway, contributing significantly to the region's economic growth.

High-performance computer systems such as national supercomputers generate a lot of excess heat as the processors almost always reach 100% utilisation, day and night. The surplus energy provides considerable heat and requires cooling to avoid overheating. Data centres such as LMD, located close to a fjord, have a low energy cost for cooling because cold water can be taken from the fjord and the return water can be reused.

LMD has signed an agreement with Sjømatstaden, which operates marine food production nearby and will use return water from the data centre in its production.

Example of reuse of return water from HPC systems.
In this example, return water from other data centre customers is used to "feed" Sigma2's facilities, which can handle high water temperatures. Thus, return water will have an even higher recycling value.

News and activities

Procurement Project Colocation
Sigma2 chooses national provider of data centre
Sigma2 acquires new national storage infrastructure
Inauguration of NIRD: Norwegian research data secured in an old mine
NIRD is by far the largest storage capacity in Norway for active research data and provides space for one of the largest archive services for Open Access. The system is now in place in Lefdal Mine Datacenter.
A container truck.
The first NIRD container arrived at Lefdal in February 2022.
Wathc the first NIRD container enter the old mine.
The Sigma2 and NRIS logos are put on the huge container.
Animation showing the layout of the Sigma2 - NRIS space inside LMD.