Microsoft is set to 'go green' when it builds its newest data centres, including one in San Antonio, IDG news service reports.The technology firm and search engine provider has chosen the sites according 31 different criteria, including access to environmentally-friendly resources.
Microsoft plans to use recycled water in its cooling systems, which is considered to be environmentally-friendly due to the fact that it reduces demand for fresh water and does not consume energy for purification.
Also adding to its 'eco' credibility, the site will benefit from the fact that a large amount of electricity in Texas is generated by wind.
Senior director of data centres at Microsoft Michael Manos commented: "There is a great alignment between going green and being economical."
Its San Antonio construction will cover 500,000 square feet and contain thousands of servers when it is built. It is also intended to support the company's software plus services and Windows Live initiatives.
Manos has predicted that the first phase of the building will be operational in July 2008.
San Antonio is set to benefit from the creation of about 75 jobs at the centre and Microsoft has said that it will be creating further such centres in the future.
The company is not alone in striving to add to its data centres, as search engines Google and Yahoo! have also announced that they will be embarking on similar constructions.
