Belgian real estate investor and developer Ghelamco has sold its Nexus data center in Brussels to European data center specialist Penta Infra, with Photon Capital acting as the lead investor.
The nine-story data center, opened last month in Zellik's Green Energy Park northwest of Brussels, was designed collaboratively with anchor tenants Vrije Universiteit Brussels and Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussels.
Boasting a 7.2 MW IT load, the Nexus data center offers a variety of power density options and will house the VSC Flemish Supercomputer. It also has space for future expansion.
Ghelamco managing director Belgium, Michael Gheysens, said: ‘We are very proud of what we have achieved in developing this facility along with our partners. It is innovative and progressive, we are confident it provides a valuable blueprint for next-generation sustainable data center design. For Ghelamco this is the first of many data centers we will develop internationally, and we feel it is a perfect match for an experienced and environmentally-responsible colocation provider like Penta Infra.’
Bob Sprengers, Penta Infra CEO, added: ‘We are delighted to add this brand new ultra-sustainable facility to our portfolio as Penta Infra BRU01. Brussels is at the heart of both Europe and the data-intensive FLAP hubs, and this beautifully designed facility is the perfect flexible platform for digital growth. Its exceptional sustainability credentials also make it a perfect fit for our low impact, 100% renewable-powered portfolio.’
The 10,000 m2 facility is the first triple-certified (BREEAM Excellent, EDGE Advanced & Uptime Institute Tier III Design & Operation) data center in Belgium. It utilizes 100% renewable power and features an optimized PUE design, a photovoltaic facade generating up to 0.5 MW, rainwater harvesting for cooling, and 100% heat reuse based on a thermal smart grid.
This transaction marks Ghelamco's first data center development, with plans to build more internationally. JLL Capital Markets Belux advised Ghelamco on the sale.
