May 12 2016, 21.16 PM IST || Pocket Press Release
The ITC Sankhya Data Centre in Bengaluru has been awarded the highest LEED Platinum certification in the 'Data Centre Category' from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). ITC Sankhya is the first data centre in the world to get this certification after the category was established in 2013. ITC has been acknowledged as a global exemplar in sustainability with LEED certification for all its premium luxury hotels, several of its factories and even employee residences.
ITC Sankhya, the primary data centre for all operations of the Company, is located in the ITC campus in Cox Town, Bengaluru. With a footprint of 7,500 sq ft, the centre is a 4-storeyed building, measuring a total of 30,000 sq ft. The centre began operations in February 2015 and is one of the most energy efficient data centres across the globe. ITC has notched several “world-firsts” in LEED certification. The ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon is the world’s highest rated green building. ITC Grand Chola is the world’s largest LEED Platinum Hotel.
Data centres are huge energy users. Therefore, sustainably built data centres are of critical importance today. A single data centre can use as much energy as a small town. However, ITC Sankhya data centre is powered by renewable energy as is the campus of ITC, within which it is housed. While a typical building is designed to meet heating and cooling needs for occupant comfort, a data centre has to provide massive cooling power for its servers. Water use is also a key target area for data centres, if the facility utilises water for cooling. These specific building needs are built into the specifications for obtaining LEED certification for data centres.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr Chitranjan Dar, Group Head, ITC’s Central Project Organisation, R&D and EHS, said, “This is a proud moment for ITC and this LEED certification will be a cherished achievement in the Company’s sustainability journey. As a carbon, water and solid waste recycling positive company, we have endeavoured to contribute to a better tomorrow. Our leadership to the green building movement in India through LEED certification is an important manifestation of our commitment to shape a sustainable future for the generations to come.”
“Every story about LEED is a story of leadership,” said Mr Mahesh Ramanujam, chief operating officer of USGBC and president of Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). “LEED is the premier global rating system for making sure that buildings are designed, constructed and operated so that they save energy, water and precious resources, reduce waste and carbon emissions and provide healthier environments for the people who use these buildings every day.”