Brazilian edge data centre ecosystem, Elea Digital, have announced the issuance of a new sustainability-linked bond designed to significantly reduce water usage in their operations.
It is hoped that the R$ 200 million ($38 million) green issuance – the first of its kinda in Latin America -will help the company reach its ambitious sustainability targets, placing them amongst the most efficient in the world.
Elea Digital says that it will invest in more advanced and sustainable equipment that allow a more efficient use of water in the cooling process of its data centres while maintaining an efficient use of energy.
Based on September 2022 measurements, the company says that it currently has a highly efficient water consumption, equal to 0.51 liters per KW/h of consumed energy. By 2026 and 2028, this indicator (Water Usage Efficiency or WUE) will decrease to 0.31 litres and 0.20 litres per KW/h, respectively. Average consumption of water per KW/h is estimated to be today at 7.6 litres in Brazil.
According to Alessandro Lombardi, chairman of Elea Digital, the company, since its foundation, has been committed to positive socio-environmental actions. “Today, Elea Digital takes the lead on the commitment with sustainability on the digital infrastructure sector in Brazil. We trust that other players may be inspired by our pioneer path,” commented Lombardi
The project has the backing of three of the largest financial institutions in Brazil – Bradesco BBI, BTG, and UBS/BB – and showed adherence in the support of sustainability initiatives.
“We are proud to be lead coordinator of the first sustainability linked bond of Elea Digital which also is the first one in the data center industry,” said Rafael Garcia, head of fixed income at Bradesco BBI. “By committing to environmental and social targets, the company innovates and fosters sustainable practices in a relevant sector.”
“We understand that Brazil, with its abundance of water resources, sun and wind, can become a global sustainability model in the data centre sector. Furthermore, we must, especially in the country of the Amazon region, reaffirm our climate commitment, working every day to promote a digital transformation that improves the quality of the world we live in”, concluded Lombardi.
