en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Pau Béarn Pyrénées Urban Community (CAPBP), in partnership with La Fibre Paloise, a subsidiary of Axione, is building a local data center to replace the outdated server room previously located in the Hôtel de France. This facility aims to host regional data locally, reducing reliance on hyperscale cloud providers.

This data center is not a brand-new project but a continuation of Pau's digital network development since 2003, from the creation of Pau Broadband Country to achieving full fiber optic coverage in the city center by 2018. The data center currently under construction is replacing an outdated facility with only 14 racks; the new building will be equipped with 44 racks. The project site covers 1,485 square meters, with a building footprint of 450 square meters, and a construction cost of €3 million, undertaken by several local companies. Operating rights have been exclusively granted to Axione until 2033. Axione is jointly owned by Bouygues Énergies & Services and Vauban Infrastructure Partners.

This data center operates on a colocation model, not as a hyperscale cloud provider. Axione is responsible for providing the physical infrastructure, network connectivity, and security, achieving a Tier III redundancy level. Each client brings their own servers, installed in 47U standard racks (800 x 1200 mm). The company states that by bringing computing closer to applications, such infrastructure can reduce latency for latency-sensitive applications like autonomous vehicles, augmented reality, or online gaming.

The infrastructure is designed to meet next-generation data center standards: Tier III design ensures uninterrupted operation; security standards comply with the requirements of the French National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI); the energy efficiency metric PUE is expected to be below 1.4, significantly lower than the 2.5 of the old server room at the Hôtel de France. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) efficiency ranges between 95% and 99%, reducing power conversion losses. The selected refrigerant, R454B, has a global warming potential of 466, which is 78% lower than traditional R410A. The project also utilizes free cooling and hot aisle containment techniques to improve energy efficiency.

Regarding waste heat recovery, Axione has clearly stated that the waste heat from the Pau data center will not be utilized. The company's rationale is that waste heat recovery requires an IT load exceeding 10 MW, whereas the site's IT load is only 120 kW, making it technically and economically unfeasible. The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) also recommends a minimum thermal density to justify the expansion of a district heating network.

In terms of security certifications, the project emphasizes compliance with ANSSI requirements, but two more stringent certifications—SecNumCloud certification and Health Data Hosting (HDS) certification—have not yet been confirmed. La Fibre Paloise states that discussions are ongoing and no further commitments can be made at this time, with potential progress by the end of this year.

Environmentally, the site's annual water consumption is estimated at approximately 3 cubic meters, compared to the average French household's annual consumption of 120 cubic meters. Thanks to a closed-loop system, only occasional refills are needed, aligning with the project's low PUE target and the choice of a low-climate-impact refrigerant.

Construction is progressing as planned. The key milestone of "topping out" will be completed by the end of July 2026, followed by electrical grid installation at the end of 2026, chiller and security system installation in spring 2027, IT rack installation in July 2027, with testing and commissioning scheduled for September. The main risk involves delivery delays for sensitive equipment such as power distribution cabinets or chillers, so orders have been planned to be placed early by the end of September to avoid logistical issues. The project has engaged numerous local businesses, including MAS BTP for the main works and Eiffage Energie Systèmes for the electrical works, continuing Axione's over two-decade-long collaboration with the Pau region, where it currently employs over 200 people.

Regarding colocation costs, a concern for local businesses, La Fibre Paloise states that announcing prices 15 months before delivery is premature, as actual operating costs still need to be refined on-site. The operating rights for the site have been granted to Axione until 2033, but the data center, as a returnable asset, remains the property of the Pau Béarn Pyrénées Urban Community.