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Schneider Electric and Start Campus Launch Sustainable AI-Ready Data Centre in Sines, Portugal
Schneider Electric and Start Campus launched SIN01, an AI-ready data centre in Sines, Portugal, featuring sustainable tech and global fibre connectivity. This facility supports efficient, low-latency AI and cloud computing.
Schneider Electric and Start Campus Launch AI-Ready Data Centre in Sines, Portugal
Schneider Electric and Start Campus have opened SIN01, a large-scale data centre facility located near Sines, Portugal. Operational since late 2024, this marks the initial phase of Start Campus' plan for a 1.2-gigawatt data centre campus close to the Atlantic coast.
The facility is built on repurposed industrial land near a former power station and is equipped with Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure technology suite. This setup supports sustainable operations optimized for AI, cloud, and GPU-heavy computing tasks, offering resilience and efficiency for demanding workloads.
Infrastructure Designed for Efficiency and Sustainability
SIN01 features several Schneider Electric solutions, including Galaxy VX UPS systems, greenhouse gas-free switchgear, and intelligent electrical distribution with thermal monitoring. Real-time operational control is achieved through EcoStruxure software, which provides remote monitoring, asset management, and continuous on-site maintenance.
In addition, Schneider Electric assisted Start Campus in crafting a renewable energy procurement strategy, ensuring sustainability goals are met during both construction and operation phases.
Strategic Location and Growth Prospects
The Sines site offers direct access to high-capacity international fibre networks that link North America, Africa, and Latin America with Europe. This connectivity supports global cloud and AI workloads with low latency.
Start Campus has committed an €8.5 billion investment for future expansions that will continue to focus on sustainable power solutions. The project expects to create approximately 1,200 direct jobs and 9,000 indirect jobs over its lifecycle.
Industry Perspectives
Pablo Ruiz Escribano, SVP for Secure Power and Data Centre Business at Schneider Electric Europe, emphasized that SIN01 establishes new benchmarks for sustainable, resilient data centre infrastructure, essential for accelerating cloud and AI computing capabilities.
Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus, highlighted the importance of their partnership with Schneider Electric. He noted that integrating advanced energy technology and real-time infrastructure visibility is key to managing power efficiently and sustainably at scale.
What This Means for Operations Professionals
- Access to a data centre built with energy-efficient and sustainable technologies reduces operational risks related to power and cooling.
- Real-time monitoring tools enhance visibility into electrical distribution and asset health, supporting proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime.
- Strategic location with global fibre connectivity improves network performance for AI and cloud workloads.
- Renewable energy integration aligns with corporate sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.
Operations teams working with AI, cloud, or GPU-intensive applications can benefit from understanding the infrastructure and management tools deployed at SIN01.
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