MEO Covilha

The Covilhã Data Center, inaugurated in 2013, is a significant milestone in Portugal's technological landscape. Located in Covilhã, a city known for its low risk of natural disasters and favorable climate, the data center was developed by Altice Portugal. It stands as one of the largest data centers globally, covering an area of 75,500 square meters. The facility's design and construction were overseen by architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça, and it has received the prestigious Tier III certification from the Uptime Institute, highlighting its high standards of performance, security, and availability.

Technically, the Covilhã Data Center is equipped to handle substantial data processing needs. It has the capacity to house over 50,000 servers, connected through a high-speed fiber optic network with symmetrical speeds of 100 Gbps via four dedicated links, two of which are directly connected to Brazil. The data center boasts a storage capacity of 30 petabytes and features 24 IT rooms with a total of 12,000 square meters of space. Its energy efficiency is notable, with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio of 1.25, and it is powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including a photovoltaic plant and an air-free cooling system.

In terms of security and sustainability, the Covilhã Data Center is equipped with advanced access control systems, including biometric and palm vein recognition, CCTV, and innovative fire detection and suppression systems. The facility is monitored 24/7 by a dedicated field support team. Additionally, the data center's design incorporates environmental considerations, such as the use of local vegetation that requires no irrigation, and the implementation of energy-efficient technologies that reduce construction costs by 30-40% compared to market averages. This commitment to sustainability and efficiency makes the Covilhã Data Center a model of modern data center operations.