Schneider Electric and Digital Realty Collaborate to Launch HER1 Data Center in Crete
Recently unveiled as the first carrier-neutral data center on the island, HER1 Data Center in Heraklion, Crete is a joint effort between Schneider Electric and Digital Realty. This state-of-the-art facility is set to bridge the digital connectivity and infrastructure gap in Southern Europe by facilitating the interconnection of international, regional, and local subsea cables. This will enable cloud services, telecommunications networks, and content delivery networks to better serve the surrounding regions.
Driving Connectivity in Southern Europe
HER1 Data Center is strategically located to cater to fast-growing markets such as Athens, Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, and Tel Aviv. As part of Digital Realty’s Mediterranean data center platform, HER1 aims to position Greece as a key connectivity hub for Southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. This move is crucial in enhancing network resilience and diversity for enterprises and communities in the region.
Overcoming Challenges with Innovative Solutions
To meet the demanding requirements of HER1 Data Center, Digital Realty turned to Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Modular Data Center portfolio. By leveraging a turnkey, Tier III solution, HER1 was able to address key challenges such as accelerated speed-to-market, enhanced energy efficiency, and off-site production due to its remote location in Crete.
Schneider Electric provided a customized solution comprising prefabricated power modules, data halls, and advanced monitoring systems. This comprehensive approach ensured that HER1 Data Center could meet its deployment deadlines while minimizing the risk of failures during installation.
A Gateway for Global Connectivity
With a significant increase in international bandwidth demand in Southern Europe, HER1 Data Center is poised to play a pivotal role in the region’s digital transformation. As organizations continue to invest in submarine networks connecting multiple continents, Crete emerges as a strategic destination for cable termination and data center deployments.
Located next to key subsea cable landing points, HER1 Data Center offers a resilient infrastructure for cloud services, subsea cables, and connectivity providers. This positions Crete as a global interconnection hub, facilitating seamless communication across continents.
Empowering Future Growth
The successful collaboration between Schneider Electric and Digital Realty at HER1 Data Center represents a significant milestone in data center deployments in Southern Europe. By establishing a new global connectivity hub in Crete, Digital Realty is set to connect customers across continents for years to come, driving innovation and growth in the region.
