TELUS Data Centre Achieves LEED Gold Certification

“Business customers here and around the world are generating and using more data than ever before on a daily basis,” said François Gratton, Executive Vice-President, TELUS and President, Business Solutions East and TELUS Québec.

“Our data centre in Rimouski, one of the most technologically advanced and energy efficient Internet data centres in the world, provides them with advanced cloud computing and managed data services to meet their demand. Certified to LEED Gold standards by incorporating energy-efficient and sustainable solutions also exemplifies our commitment to the environment.”

Opened in 2012, the data centre offers business cost-effective data management and cloud computing solutions that deliver the highest level of reliability, security and scalability. TELUS made a strategic decision to locate the centre in Rimouski due to the community’s skilled workforce and green features including abundant green hydroelectricity and a climate that enables efficient cooling.

The LEED program is an international benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance sustainable buildings. It considers five factors of human and environmental health, specifically ecological site design, efficient water management, energy efficiency, the choice of materials and indoor environmental quality.

“TELUS has a strong leadership position in corporate sustainability by distinguishing themselves through innovative building design like the Rimouski data centre,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council.

“We would like to congratulate TELUS and recognize them for their effort to certify their buildings across Canada to LEED. Actions like these result in real change for the environment and it’s great to see corporations setting high standards for their buildings.”

In 2013, the centre was awarded the Award of Architectural merit from the City of Rimouski in the “commercial, industrial or institutional building” category, as well as an OCTAS award, in the category of “infrastructure for a company with 3,000 or more employees.” TELUS was also a finalist for the Uptime Institute’s “Green Enterprise IT” award for facility design innovation.

Other highlights:

TELUS’ data centre in Rimouski is TELUS’ second in Canada to be awarded LEED Gold certification, preceded by the company’s Laird facility in Toronto. TELUS is also pursuing LEED certification for its recently-completed facility in Kamloops, B.C. Other TELUS buildings have received LEED certification in recent years, including TELUS House in Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. In keeping with its commitment to sustainability, TELUS is also seeking LEED certification for all new construction projects, including two developments that are targeting LEED Platinum in Vancouver and Calgary.