CSC and Loiste advance utilisation of data center excess heat in Kajaani, Finland

CSC – IT Center for Science and the energy company Loiste Lämpö Oy have signed an agreement to recover and utilise excess heat from CSC’s LUMI AI Factory data center. The cooperation will significantly increase the share of district heating generated from data center excess heat.

The LUMI AI Factory data center, currently under construction in the Renforsin Ranta business area, will begin operations in the second half of 2027. After launch, excess heat from the LUMI AI Factory data center will be directed to Loiste’s heat pump plant. From there, the thermal energy will be transferred into the district heating network and used for heating in the Kajaani area.

– A data center is an excellent source of excess heat because it produces heat consistently throughout the year, and this heat can be utilised in district heating production. Loiste’s strategic objective to reduce emissions from heat production is progressing well thanks to the cooperation between CSC and Loiste, says Marko Saviniemi, Director of heat business at Loiste.

– We aim to build data centers that are as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible. That is why the heat generated by the LUMI AI Factory data center and the new supercomputer to be installed there will be utilised as comprehensively as possible. The agreement now signed supports this objective, says Juha Oinonen, Director responsible for data centers and networks at CSC.

Image on top: Mikael Kanerva, CSC