San Bovio datacenter construction update
Microsoft has begun remediation for the former Postalmarket site in San Bovio, where Microsoft intends to build a datacenter. The datacenter construction site is located on Via Trieste in Peschiera Borromeo (MI), Italy.
Why datacenters are needed
Datacenters provide the physical infrastructure for the technology we depend on at work and in our personal lives. Whenever you open an app on your phone, join a virtual classroom or meeting, snap and save photos, or play a game with your friends online, you are using a datacenter. Local businesses, government, hospitals, and schools rely on datacenters every day to deliver goods and services to you.
Construction timeline
Datacenter construction began in February 2024. The general contractor GSE is preparing the site by removing and disposing of materials from the existing building, to be followed by demolition of the building. From there we will move into construction, which is estimated to begin in Q1/2025 through Q3/2027.
Permitted construction hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. excluding Sundays and public holidays. Together with our general contractor GSE, we will keep neighbors informed in advance of construction work.
October 26, 2024 – Community information session recap
On October 26, 2024, Microsoft held a presentation in the San Bovio neighborhood of Peschiera Borromeo to inform the community about its plan to build a datacenter in the former Postalmarket area. Over 150 people joined Mayor Andrea Coden and members of the municipal government and council to learn more about the project and have questions answered. Microsoft addressed several topics of interest to the community, including environmental sustainability, transportation, and education and job opportunities.
The datacenter has already gone through the environmental impact assessment pre-screening by the Ministry of Environment, which has certified the environmental quality of the project. The datacenter will not draw water from the local potable aquifer, and the Ministry of Environment has confirmed that there is no risk to local water resources. The energy procured for the datacenter will come from 100% renewable sources provided by Terna. The Ministry of Environment has also issued a favorable review of the datacenter’s noise mitigation measures. The datacenter will not generate a significant increase to vehicle traffic.
The datacenter will bring new job opportunities to the community. Microsoft explained what jobs will be available, and that all will be awarded following an open and transparent process. While no priority to local citizens can be given, training opportunities will be provided to prepare people for a job in the datacenter sector. Project fees paid by Microsoft also will be used to modernize the school infrastructure in Peschiera Borromeo.
The information session featured attentive community participation, with many attendees expressing appreciation to Microsoft and the municipal government for organizing an open and informative meeting.
Staying connected
We will keep the community up to date via our Italy page in our Microsoft in your community blog.
For daily operational questions, you can also reach out to the engagement lead at DCItalia@microsoft.com.