Skygard is currently building its first data centre in Hovinbyen, Oslo, and during 2025, Telenor will become the first client at the new facility. The data centre is designed to blend into the urban landscape and make use of existing spaces, rather than developing untouched nature. Sustainability is a cornerstone of Skygard’s business strategy.
– By placing the data centre in an urban area, we make it possible to reuse our excess heat to warm residential buildings. That’s quite unique in our industry, says Elise Lindeberg, CEO of Skygard.
The new data centre is directly connected to Hafslund Celsio’s district heating network, and will be able to heat between 12,000 and 15,000 homes in the area using excess heat from its operations.
Skygard is a Norwegian start-up that prioritises security and sustainability. The company is owned by Telenor, Hafslund, and the investment firm HitecVision. This provides them with both financial strength and access to strategic partners within energy, digital infrastructure, and security.
Although Skygard is still a small, unlisted company not subject to the EU’s reporting requirements, they have chosen to take the lead.
Skygard has engaged BDO to assist in identifying material sustainability topics, risks, and opportunities across the value chain. This has provided a basis for prioritising actions and establishing a scalable framework for sustainability reporting.
– We cannot simply claim to be sustainable – we must demonstrate it, document it, and explain why. It’s about being attractive to customers, investors, and employees, says Lindeberg.
Skygard has received support from BDO to work in accordance with VSME – a voluntary sustainability reporting standard tailored to the SME market. The standard is recommended by both the EU and Norwegian authorities for companies not subject to the CSRD sustainability reporting requirements.
– With VSME, we can report on what is most relevant to us and our stakeholders, such as the reporting requirements set by our customers. We have strong growth ambitions, and the framework allows us to scale our reporting as we grow, explains Lindeberg.
By the end of the year, Skygard plans to grow from ten to thirty employees. They believe their focus on sustainability and security provides a unique competitive advantage.
– We can offer a local solution that directly responds to the EU’s green industrial policy and requirements for digital infrastructure. Being a Norwegian company with data centres located in Norway is, in itself, a strength in the European market. We expect solid growth going forward, says Lindeberg.
She is pleased with the support BDO has provided in integrating sustainability into the strategy.
– It has been a very good process. The team from BDO has been thorough and structured in helping us prioritise correctly and build something that works for a growing company, she says.
Morten Thuve, Head of Sustainability Services at BDO, emphasises that Skygard is an example to follow:
– Skygard is a great example of a company that wants to stay ahead and use sustainability as a strategic driver. It’s inspiring to work with companies that understand how closely sustainability is linked to both operations and business development, says Morten Thuve, Partner and Head of Sustainability Services at BDO.
– They have made sustainability an integrated part of their strategy and are building a business where technology and social responsibility move in the same direction, Thuve concludes.
Elise Lindeberg, CEO in Skygard.