"We are building a data centre with IBM in a safe and secure location to respond to growing issues about natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods", stated Tim Dufour, CEO of both RackForce and gigaCENTER. "This centre will support the latest technologies using 'green' hydro-generated power and the most efficient, environmentally friendly design. The IBM design is calculated at a Power Usage Effectiveness rating of 1.38, which will mean our facility will be among the most efficient in the industry."

IBM products and services will be delivered over the three-year construction, with the first phase scheduled to open in December 2008. When completed, the facility will support 70,000 square feet of raised-floor data centre space and create jobs for up to 100 employees.

Customers of the new centre will be able to rent space in increments as small as one cabinet, up to dedicated cages and private rooms. The centre will provide facilities to support on demand server capacity services and Business Continuity and Resiliency Services, delivered through RackForce and IBM Global Services.

"A year ago when IBM launched Project Big Green, one of its goals was to help identify ways to optimize data centre usage and reduce energy consumption needs", stated Steve Sams, IBM vice president, Global Site and Facilities Services. "This new data centre is an example of this initiative. By offering 'green' colocation and data centre services, gigaCENTER and IBM will enable enterprises to meet their corporate and IT environmental goals."