English Version

Start Campus -  Media Alert

 

Start Campus SIN01 Wins “European Data Center Project of the Year 2025”

Lisbon, 10 December 2025

A defining achievement for Portugal and Europe’s next generation of digital infrastructure

WhatsApp Image 2025-12-10 at 21.45.43_129e7640

 

In London, our SIN01 facility was awarded European Data Center Project of the Year 2025 at the prestigious DatacenterDynamics Awards.
This recognition highlights not just an innovative building, but a bold vision that is reshaping how Europe scales sustainable, AI-ready digital infrastructure.

What makes SIN01 a category-leading project?

The jury recognised SIN01 for its ability to set a new benchmark for sustainable hyperscale design, operational excellence, and readiness for advanced AI workloads. Key innovations include:

  • The world’s first gigawatt-scale seawater cooling system

  • A design foundation enabling a WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness) of 0

  • Architecture optimised for a PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.1

  • Support for AI densities above 130 kW per rack

  • Operation powered entirely by renewable energy

  • Modular, highly resilient expansion capability

These milestones establish Sines as a global blueprint for the next generation of hyperscale data centers, at a time when AI is accelerating the world’s digital demands.

 

A strategic partnership with Schneider Electric

The award also acknowledges the critical role of Schneider Electric, whose technology, engineering quality, and deep collaboration were essential to delivering this industry-leading facility.

 

Message from our CEO, Robert Dunn

“This award is a testament to the extraordinary talent and dedication of the entire Start Campus team.
SIN01 began as an ambitious vision: to build one of Europe’s most advanced, sustainable, and AI-ready digital infrastructure projects.
Tonight’s recognition reflects the professionalism, passion, and innovation that brought that vision to life.
We are proud of what we have achieved together, grateful for the trust of our partners and customers, and excited for the future we are building in Sines – a new gateway for Europe’s AI and digital growth.”

 

No alternative text description for this image

More than a win – a signal of Europe’s potential

The achievement of SIN01 is not just about a remarkable facility.
It demonstrates Europe’s ability to scale critical digital infrastructure sustainably, reinforces Portugal’s emergence as a strategic AI hub, and presents a world-first model for hyperscale development in the AI era.

 

Acknowledgments

Start Campus extends its thanks to DatacenterDynamics, to Global Commissioning for sponsoring the category, and to the partners, engineering teams, local community, and colleagues who contributed to this milestone.

 

 

ABOUT START CAMPUS:

Start Campus is building and operating the SINES DC project, a 1.2 GW data center campus in Portugal, creating one of Europe's largest and most sustainable data ecosystems with market-leading global connectivity. SINES DC offers customers maximum choice with turnkey, bespoke power-on-demand solutions. The company's advanced offering is AI-ready and responds to the future needs of the industry, integrating liquid cooling technologies into its flexible and scalable design. With a total combined investment value estimated at €8.5 billion, the campus uses 100% renewable energy and aims for an industry-leading PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.1 and a WUE (Water Usage Effectiveness) of 0, harnessing the cooling power of the ocean.