Polcom, a prominent Polish data center operator, has announced plans to build two new data centers near Krakow, further strengthening its presence in the region. The expansion will increase the company’s footprint to four facilities across Poland, contributing an additional 44MW of capacity.
Key Features of Polcom’s New Data Centers
Polcom’s new data centers, DC3 and DC4, will each feature three floors and include three 300 sqm data halls. The facilities are designed with cutting-edge hybrid cooling systems that combine both air and direct liquid cooling. This approach has been successfully implemented in Polcom’s existing data centers since 2015.
The new facilities are part of a broader expansion effort that also includes the construction of a 1.7MW photovoltaic farm. The farm will support the data centers’ energy needs, with the first stage of the project set to be completed by February 2025, offering 0.8MW of capacity. The second stage is scheduled for completion by Q2 2025.
Investment and Timeline
Polcom has committed a substantial investment of PLN 100 million ($24.8 million) to the development of these new data centers and the associated photovoltaic farm. While specific construction timelines for DC3 and DC4 have not yet been disclosed, Polcom’s strategic vision anticipates having one of the data centers operational by the end of 2026.
Marcin Gwóźdź, President of Polcom’s Management Board, emphasized that the company’s investments are always driven by customer needs and market expectations. The addition of these data centers aims to meet the growing demand for cloud services and scalable infrastructure, especially for AI and machine learning platforms.
Introduction of Polcom AI Cloud Platform
Alongside the new data centers, Polcom is also launching a new cloud service platform—Polcom AI Cloud. This platform will offer AI-as-a-service, providing businesses with access to 190,000 CUDA cores powered by Nvidia technology. This move is part of Polcom’s broader strategy to develop its cloud offerings and cater to the increasing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Polcom AI Cloud is designed to provide companies with efficient, scalable infrastructure, enabling them to harness the power of AI and machine learning without the need for on-premise hardware investments.
Polcom’s Expansion Strategy and Long-Term Vision
Founded in 1991, Polcom has been a key player in Poland’s data center industry. The company’s first data center, a 15MW facility in Skawina near Krakow, was launched in 2010, followed by a second 8MW facility in Alwernia in 2015. In recent years, Polcom has shifted focus towards cloud services, with 70% of its investment budget being allocated to product development. This includes Polcom Cloud, which aims to provide customers with comprehensive cloud solutions alongside the new AI-focused offerings.
Gwóźdź noted, “Every investment we have made so far has been dictated by specific market expectations. The new data centers will allow us to provide scalable cloud services and infrastructure for AI and machine learning platforms by the end of 2026.”
FAQ Section
1. What is the total capacity of Polcom’s new data centers?
The two new data centers, DC3 and DC4, will have a combined capacity of 44MW, significantly expanding Polcom’s footprint in Poland.
2. What cooling systems will be used in the new Polcom data centers?
The facilities will utilize a hybrid cooling system, combining air and direct liquid cooling, which Polcom has used in its existing data centers since 2015.
3. When is the first stage of Polcom’s photovoltaic farm expected to be completed?
The first stage of the photovoltaic farm, which will provide 0.8MW of capacity, is expected to be completed by February 2025.
4. What services will Polcom AI Cloud provide?
Polcom AI Cloud will offer AI-as-a-service with 190,000 CUDA cores powered by Nvidia technology, providing businesses with the infrastructure needed to leverage AI and machine learning.
5. What is Polcom’s long-term investment strategy?
Polcom has focused its investments on customer needs and market demands, with significant resources dedicated to developing cloud services, including Polcom Cloud and AI-based offerings.