Nova Corp. to Open State’s Newest Data Center in Albuquerque

By Anca Gagiuc, Associate Editor

Nova Corp. is ready to open the first phase of its Innava Data Center–the state’s newest and largest data center. The launch comes after more than six years of planning and development. The official opening date is scheduled for June 3.

The 133,000-square-foot facility is owned by the Navajo Nation that specializes in working on federal contracts. The data center is developed in the old Schott facility at the Mesa del Sol master-planned community. Designed as a manufacturing site, the existing Schott facility already boasted features ideal for a data center, such as high ceilings, power access, and heating and cooling systems.

Nova Corp. chose Albuquerque for its convenient location as the area has a low risk of natural and man-made disaster, with easy access to the local airport and other businesses. “After looking at several different sites, NOVA Corp. determined that New Mexico was the best place for the data center due a number of factors including its geographic location,” said John Snider, president and chief executive officer of NOVA Corp. “Geographically, Albuquerque provides a stable location without serious risk of natural disasters, ability to utilize ambient air cooling, and reduced risk of targeted threat to the area.  It is also located near the Navajo Nation which will allow us to generate jobs and incubate businesses for the Navajo people.”

The first phase extends over 6,000 square feet with 250 cabinets each holding 52 servers. The construction of the next 10,000 square feet is scheduled to begin in six to eight months and will take about six months to be finalized. Innava is the first of more data centers the company plans on building throughout the country.

Photo courtesy of Innava.