Microsoft’ s cluster of data centres will supply heating to
homes in Espoo, Finland, once completed
of heating demand could be met by rejected server heat
CASE STUDY
Espoo, Finland
Microsoft’ s data centre deployment in Finland serves as a flagship for urban heat integration: roughly 40 % of Fortum’ s district heating demand in Espoo, Kauniainen, and Kirkkonummi in Finland can be met via rejected server heat.
By designing higher-temperature loops and partnering with municipal utilities, the project demonstrates how high-density computing can serve as a local energy asset rather than a burden.
It transforms waste into a resource, enhances local heating resilience and embeds data centres into the urban energy ecosystem.
Such symbiosis strengthens community acceptance and supports circular economy goals – special factors that may define future urban-scale digital infrastructure policy strategy.
Microsoft’ s cluster of data centres will supply heating to
100,000
homes in Espoo, Finland, once completed
40 %
of heating demand could be met by rejected server heat
102 October 2025