Intacture, the Natural Home of Data
The project of the first data center in Europe to be built within an active mine, in the heart of the Trentino mountains, was unveiled yesterday. A pioneering, low-impact project worth over 50 million euros, partly funded by the Nrrp, which also includes the development of an innovation hub
Intacture, the project of the first and only data center to be built in Europe within an active mine, in a mountain of Val di Non, 40 km north of Trento, was officially unveiled today. With a total financial cost of 50.2 million euros - 18.4 from Nrrp funds and about 31.8 from private resources - the innovative infrastructure is being built within the dolomite mine of Tassullo, a company that has its mining activities here: a natural environment that offers optimal conditions in terms of protection from electromagnetic pollution, data security, energy and soil savings, and sustainability.
The project has the ambitious objective of creating not only a state-of-the-art digital infrastructure integrated into the territory and with a small environmental footprint, but also an innovation hub, where research and development are intertwined in strategic areas of application such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, energy transition and cybersecurity. The data center is scheduled to start operating in 2026, while construction and infrastructure works are already underway.
This architectural, engineering, environmental and technological challenge is led by Trentino DataMine, a company that has been established as a public-private partnership by the University of Trento - the implementing body and scientific leader of the project - and a group of companies, selected through a public tender process, that contribute with their expertise: Covi Costruzioni, the construction company and promoter, Dedagroup (Deda), a technology and business accelerator, GPI Group, specialised in digitisation in the health sector, and ISA-Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo. The company carrying out the construction work is In-Site, an integrated engineering company specializing in the construction of complex technological infrastructures.
The project was officially unveiled at the Tassullo mine in the presence of the Mayor of Predaia Giuliana Cova and the Councillor for economic development, employment, university, research of the Autonomous Province of Trento Achille Spinelli. "With this project we are now a point of reference in Europe for research and development, and we contribute to the creation of one of the few sustainable digital innovation hubs worldwide," the rector of the University of Trento, Flavio Deflorian, commented. "As a university, we must be future-oriented, placing young people and new generations at the centre of change. I believe that sustainable innovation is one of the keys to building a better future, and what we will achieve together and manage in the public-private partnership is aimed at creating solutions that have a positive impact on the environment and society, for today and for the future."
"We have enthusiastically accepted the challenge of this highly innovative project, which pushes us to better combine technical challenges with a new and complex regulatory framework. It is an opportunity to enhance our skills and our ability to be flexible and innovative," commented the representatives of the private partners of Trentino DataMine. "Data are the raw material of our future. We will help companies and organizations to store and manage data safely and efficiently, within an ecosystem that has been designed to generate multiple benefits through co-location services for public and private companies, synergies with the world of research and the development of solutions for the local community and the environment. Intacture, the Trentino DataMine project, demonstrates that the future of technology can be built in harmony with the environment, in a way that enhances rather than compromises the performance."
"The Province has believed in the Trentino DataMine project even before it was approved, because of its uniqueness and the possibility of bringing together different worlds through the common language of innovation and sustainability. The University of Trento and FBK are leaders in the fields of digital transformation and ICTs, which are essential for competitiveness and economic development and can help attract international investments to our region. Their involvement and that of the companies that are participating and investing in this project, make it possible to start innovative experiments, and make Trentino and this territory a Valley of innovation, successfully continuing the path that has led us here", commented Achille Spinelli, Provincial Councillor for economic development, employment, university, research.
"We are proud that our Municipality has such a unique infrastructure in Europe, that speaks of innovation and modernity. This project, based on sustainability, does not consume soil and will have a high energy efficiency, creating a virtuous relationship between nature and technology. In a valley that is historically linked to agriculture, it is important to us to make the most of our natural environment. We are convinced that there are great opportunities for local touristic development, to promote our natural and cultural heritage," said the Mayor of Predaia, Giuliana Cova.
The President of the Autonomous Province of Trento Maurizio Fugatti praised the project: "The galleries of Tuenetto bring innovation to our region. These underground tunnels are already used to store the excellent products of our land such as apples, sparkling wines and Trentingrana cheese. The project demonstrates that local companies and research centers have been able to create something unique, that combines innovation, security, energy and soil savings with research and development prospects in the technological sector, which is increasingly strategic and has multiple implications for the quality of life of all citizens."