CRA to become leading data centre operator, having secured a zoning permit for new DC
CRA is finalising preparations for one of the most ambitious digital infrastructure projects in the Czech Republic. The company has taken another significant step forward by securing a zoning permit for the construction of a new data centre. Located in Prague-Zbraslav, the facility will be built within two years and then be one of the largest of its kind in Europe when, boasting a capacity over 2,500 server racks and a power input of 26 megawatts.
‘The main attributes of our project are innovation, sustainability, efficiency, reliability and security. Our goal is to attract large companies to the Czech Republic that have so far been unable to use data centre services here due to capacity constraints because of their size or occupancy’, explains Miloš Mastník, CEO of CRA. ‘Now that we have a valid zoning permit, we can proceed with the final preparations’, adds Miloš Mastník.
The data centre will span an area of 5,622 m², with building dimensions of 320 × 45 meters. It will be constructed on revitalised land previously occupied by three CRA medium-wave radio transmitters. The facility will house 2,500 server racks with a power input of 26 MW, supplied via two independent routes for secure data storage and management. The layout is designed to be flexible, allowing customisation to meet specific needs of individual clients. Each room will also include dedicated office and storage spaces, making the centre a comprehensive solution for the technological needs of companies.
The data centre will adhere to the highest technological and environmental standards. It will operate entirely on renewable sources, specifically solar panels installed on the roof of the building. Its strategic location, innovative cooling system with a GWP value of <10, use of residual heat, and optimised power capacity will ensure top-tier operational efficiency, achieving a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) value of 1.25. For enhanced air distribution and hygiene standards, slab floors will be employed, improving cooling efficiency while supporting power loads of up to 20 kW per rack without requiring additional cooling reinforcements.
CRA aims to meet LEED Gold certification and comply with ASHRAE standards, with the project being developed in line with ESG principles.
The project has received support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with CRA. The memorandum sets out a framework for cooperation between the state and CRA to support digital transformation, research and development of new technologies, and the provision of essential infrastructure for economic growth.
CRA currently operates eight data centres in the Czech Republic, including in Prague's Žižkov, Strahov and Cukrák, as well as in Brno, Ostrava, Pardubice, and Zlín. Demand for data centre capacity continues to grow, which is why CRA opened a new data hall this spring within the Cukrák transmitter, acquired the Lužice data centre, and is planning to modernise and expand the DC Tower in Žižkov.
The Zbraslav data centre is scheduled for completion in 2026, in cooperation with CRA’s parent company Cordiant Digital Infrastructure. CRA plans to obtain construction and other regulatory permits in spring 2025. The construction itself will take approximately 24 months. Thanks to the existing infrastructure, including fibre optic network connections, road access, and available energy resources, the project is set to progress swiftly.