/New Data Center Initiative Promises Sustainable Digital Infrastructure in Bulle
– Infomaniak SA and Gruyère Energie SA unveil plans for a new data center in Bulle to be operational by 2028.
– Facility designed to utilize server heat in the local district heating network, aiming for higher efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.
– Project set to use 100% renewable energy, emphasizing a commitment to both digital sovereignty and environmental sustainability.
– Construction expected to begin in early 2027, contingent on necessary permits.
Infomaniak SA, a leading Swiss cloud provider, alongside Gruyère Energie SA, has announced the public display of planning applications for an innovative data center in Bulle, expected to launch in 2028. This facility aims to address the growing demand for digital services while simultaneously repurposing the heat generated by its servers for the existing district heating network.
The planned infrastructure project is the largest undertaking for the Infomaniak group to date and represents a substantial step forward in sustainable infrastructure in the Gruyère region. The proposed data center is projected to have an IT capacity of 2.5 megawatts (MW), effectively doubling the capacity of Infomaniak’s most recent facility in Geneva. This expansion comes in light of a significant 26.5% increase in service billings reported during the first half of 2026.
Designed to accommodate 170 server racks, the Bulle data center will utilize the successful principles established by the D4 facility inaugurated in Geneva in 2025, which was honored with the 2026 Green Business Award. “This data center represents a new generation of digital infrastructure, designed from the outset to limit its footprint. We are giving new life to energy that is usually lost. Once recovered, it will be very useful in supporting the development of the Bulle area. It is a concrete illustration of our vision and our commitment to a regional and innovative energy transition,” says Michel Beaud, Director of Major Projects at Gruyère Energie.
The strategic location of the data center at an industrial zone will enhance Gruyère Energie’s district heating network, predominantly powered by renewable energy sources. The innovative heat recovery system is expected to fully utilize the energy produced by the servers, contributing approximately 28 GWh of heat annually while preventing the emission of up to 7,500 tonnes of CO₂. By 2030, Gruyère Energie anticipates its district heating network will reach a heat output of 180 GWh.
“This new form of energy recovery does not replace existing renewable sources or other industrial heat recovery projects. It complements them,” emphasizes Beaud. As the company manages the construction without interfering with farmland or natural areas, the planned building will occupy an area of approximately 1,200 m², with a layout designed to connect directly to local utilities.
Cooling systems for the servers will operate on closed loops within the facility, avoiding water withdrawal and minimizing noise pollution to adhere to community standards. “In Bulle, the goal is for all the electricity consumed by our servers to end up as useful heat in Gruyère Energie’s network. That is what every data center built today should do: recover its heat, not withdraw water needed for other uses, and be transparent about the resources it consumes,” states Julien Bonnat, Head of Data Center at Infomaniak.
The collaboration between Infomaniak and Gruyère Energie aims to leverage their combined expertise to foster regional development and sustainability. Pending the finalization of contracts and permits, construction of the data center is poised to commence in the first half of 2027, with an anticipated operational start in 2028.
Both companies are committed to developing responsible infrastructure that meets the needs of the community while adhering to high environmental standards.
