Dialog‘s TIER III Data Centre obtains Gold LEED certification by US Green Building Council

Co-Energy  Ltd., Director Magda Aghababyan (right) hands over the certification Dialog Axiata Group Chief Operating Officer Dr. Rainer Deutschmann. Others from left Dialog Axiata General Manager - Data Centre Services and Cloud Nalaka Bandara, Head of Broadband and Fixed Telecommunications Navin Pieris and Co-Energy Ltd. CEO Asanka Alahapperum

Dialog Broadband Networks, a subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata Plc, has been rated Gold under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Sri Lanka’s first UPTIME Tier III certified commercial Data Centre. 

The certification was bestowed by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), and recognises the Data Centre as the first LEED Certified commercial data centre facility in the country to receive the certification. Dialog’s Tier III Data Centre also recently received the ISO 27001:2013 certification, further re-iterating Dialog’s requirement for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving the information security management system within the context of the organisation. 

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), rating system, designed by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), provides standards for an environmentally-sustainable design and construction for high-performance green buildings. Dialog’s new Data Centre facility features regionally sourced construction material and on-site operating systems designed to conserve natural resources and optimise water efficiency, air quality and energy performance.

A continuous improvement sustainability strategy was deployed to further support its green initiatives and is currently widespread across the 50,000 sqft. Data Centre.77.5% of the site area is retained as open space with a section utilised for vegetation. Additionally, rain water runoff has been reduced by 5% due to effective rain water management strategies, controlled by best management practices and Heat Island Reduction through high reflective paving. The reduction of water usage by 45% has been due to the usage of high efficient flow and flush fixtures, and100% of rain water is currently harvested for landscape irrigation.

Energy and atmosphere data savings include22.7% of total energy cost savings, whilst eliminating CFC refrigerants with a quality indoor set up of minimum Ventilation Rates, Tobacco Smoke Control, Indoor Air Quality Management Policy and Lighting Controllability for each individual workstation. Further, the usage of low emitting materials found in floor adhesives, sealants, indoor paints and coatings have resulted in the  reduction of water usage, paving the way for innovative waste water technologies to be deployed at the data centre.

Commenting on receiving the LEED Gold Certification, Dialog Axiata Plc Head of Broadband and Fixed Telecommunications Navin Pieris said: “Since inception, the team has focused on the sustainability of the Data Centre, and the responsible use of its resources, culminating in receiving the LEED Gold Certification.  This independent third‐party certification awarded indicates no deficits or weak links in the ecosystem and is a confirmation that the country’s first Tier III certified Dialog Data Centre has been designed and constructed to meet the highest global standards. We are committed to continuously focusing on a ‘green-mindset’ across our data centres.”