Denmark will soon host a fully Danish-owned and operated hyperscale data center. The first phase of the project, to be operational in 2026, will eventually reach a capacity of up to 200 megawatts, making it one of the largest data centers in the country.
The new initiative is a strategic effort to integrate technology with real estate development and will be executed in collaboration with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Thylander, led by CEO Bjarke Mikkelsen, aims to challenge the foreign ownership of large data centers in Denmark and enhance local capabilities in energy optimization and security. Thylander expects to open the doors to this Danish-owned and operated hyperscale data center in 2026. Initially, the center will be built to a capacity of 10-20 megawatts.
The data center will emphasize sustainability, with ambitions including advanced energy solutions and waste heat recovery to the district heating network. Local partnerships will be established to ensure the project benefits both the region and Denmark's digital infrastructure.
Thylander has extensive experience in real estate investments. The data centers represent a new venture with Bjarke Mikkelsen as a key figure, having previously founded and led Daraz, a major e-commerce platform based in Singapore.
The project has received significant support from both the local community and business sectors, including the Confederation of Danish Industry, which is enthusiastic about the increased capacity and economic potential. Esbjerg, chosen for the data center location, benefits from access to green energy, strategic fiber connections, and being a NATO hub.
Anders Frich Mathiesen, who leads Thylander's data center business and is the newly elected chairman of the Data Center Industry, discusses the Esbjerg site selection: "Esbjerg meets all the criteria for an ideal location. It's crucial that we have direct fiber connections to Europe through Germany, without concerns about sabotage or an anchor cutting an undersea cable."
Earlier this month, Esbjerg municipality was awarded Data Center Municipality of the Year at the DDI Awards. "This is the result of a targeted regional effort to make Esbjerg a digital hub in Denmark. The project benefits the entire region, and we are proud to contribute to significantly strengthening the country's digital backbone," says Jesper Frost Rasmussen (V), Mayor of Esbjerg Municipality.
Digitalization Minister Caroline Stage (M) welcomes the initiative, stating, "More large data centers are crucial for powering Danish innovation and future technological solutions. They create the digital foundation that our businesses, researchers, and authorities need to exploit the potential of, among other things, artificial intelligence and secure Danish competitive positions globally."
Henrik Hansen, CEO of the Danish Data Center Industry, states, "We are pleased that the Danish data center sector and the surrounding digital infrastructure ecosystem have matured to be able to construct Danish-owned data centers. The latest growth forecasts show a growing need for more data centers of various types, and we welcome all new initiatives that bring fresh dynamics to the market."
