The Nordic region has become one of the most strategic locations in the world for hyperscale data centres. With its cool climate, stable energy grid, access to renewable power, and strong digital infrastructure, Sweden, Finland, and their Nordic neighbours have become home to some of the largest data centre campuses in Europe.
But behind every world-class data centre lies an equally critical — though often unseen — component: the groundworks.
Before the first steel frame rises or the first cable is pulled, a successful data centre depends on what happens below ground. The selection of a groundworks partner is therefore one of the most decisive choices a developer or general contractor can make. The right partner ensures safety, quality, and predictability. The wrong choice can cause cascading delays, cost overruns, and even operational risk years down the line.
At Salboheds Bygg & Anläggning AB, we have delivered more than 250 MW of data-centre groundworks across the Nordics. Drawing from our experience with hyperscale clients and complex infrastructure environments, we’ve compiled this guide to help developers and EPC contractors understand what to look for when selecting a groundworks partner — and how to make the decision that sets your project up for success.
1. Why Groundworks Are the Foundation of Success
Groundworks form the literal and operational foundation of every data-centre project. This phase defines the layout, quality, and resilience of the entire facility. A well-executed groundwork package enables downstream trades — from structural steel to mechanical and electrical installation — to progress smoothly and safely.
Conversely, a single missed interface, uneven subgrade, or misaligned duct bank can cause schedule delays and costly rework that ripple through the rest of the project.
In hyperscale projects, these risks multiply. A single site may cover tens of hectares and involve:
- Extensive excavation, cut/fill balancing, and stabilisation.
- High-precision foundation slabs.
- Complex underground networks for power, fibre, telecoms, stormwater, and cooling systems.
- Multiple access roads, drainage systems, and utility corridors.
In short: the groundwork contractor’s capability determines how fast, safe, and efficiently your data centre comes to life.
2. The Nordic Context: Why Local Insight Matters
The Nordics are not a uniform landscape. While Sweden, Finland, and Denmark share similar infrastructure strengths, each presents unique geotechnical, environmental, and regulatory conditions.
From the rocky subsoils of central Sweden to the soft clay basins near coastal Finland, every site poses its own challenges. Frost depth, groundwater levels, drainage, and even seasonal light availability can affect productivity and method selection.
A successful groundworks partner must combine:
- Local experience – understanding how Nordic conditions affect design and scheduling.
- Regional presence – the ability to mobilise quickly and manage resources across multiple regions.
- International mindset – alignment with global standards used by hyperscale clients such as Microsoft, Meta, Google, and AWS.
Salboheds is one of the few contractors in Sweden to combine these three. With dedicated data-centre divisions, a strong local footprint, and membership in the Swedish Data Center Industry Association (SDIA), we bring both the credibility and capacity to meet international expectations within local frameworks.
3. Key Criteria When Selecting a Groundworks Partner
Selecting the right partner is about more than price. It’s about performance, predictability, and partnership. Below are the six key criteria we recommend evaluating in any data-centre groundwork tender or vendor selection process.
1. Safety Culture
Safety is non-negotiable. Data-centre sites involve heavy plant, deep excavations, and simultaneous operations from dozens of subcontractors. The groundwork phase often presents the highest exposure to health and safety risk.
A strong partner will:
- Operate with zero-compromise safety standards.
- Conduct daily toolbox talks and enforce a proactive reporting culture.
- Maintain qualified HSE management and on-site supervision.
- Treat safety not as compliance, but as an enabler of quality and efficiency.
At Salboheds, our guiding principle is simple: a safe site is a productive site. Our teams work under a safety-first culture built over decades of infrastructure delivery.
2. Proven Track Record & Scale
Groundworks for hyperscale facilities require scale — in equipment, workforce, and management systems. A partner’s track record provides the best indicator of their readiness.
Ask questions like:
- Has the contractor delivered 100 + MW of data-centre groundworks?
- Do they have experience working with hyperscale or colocation clients?
- Can they manage 100 + people on-site while coordinating multiple utilities and subcontractors?
Salboheds has delivered more than 250 MW of data-centre capacity across multiple Nordic projects, managing workforces of 120 + and complex coordination with electrical, mechanical, and general contractors. This experience translates directly into fewer surprises, smoother interfaces, and stronger performance guarantees.
3. Local Presence & Network
Even the most capable international contractor can struggle without local presence. Nordic construction demands deep logistical knowledge — from sourcing aggregates and concrete to understanding local labour and environmental standards.
Salboheds combines local presence through our regional business units (e.g., DC Mitt) with a robust network of Nordic suppliers and subcontractors. This gives us agility, resilience, and the ability to scale up rapidly as project demands evolve.
4. Schedule Reliability
In hyperscale data-centre delivery, time is the most valuable currency. Every week saved on construction accelerates the client’s revenue and operational capacity.
Schedule reliability depends on:
- Proactive planning and phasing.
- Early engagement to align groundworks with design and procurement.
- Real-time coordination between civil, electrical, and mechanical teams.
- Digital tools like GPS machine control and BIM-based progress tracking.
Salboheds integrates digital construction techniques to maintain precision and transparency. We measure progress daily and report performance in real-time dashboards — ensuring that the client always knows where the project stands.
5. Sustainability Credentials
Sustainability isn’t just about energy efficiency in operation. The groundwork phase plays a major role in a data centre’s embodied carbon footprint.
Look for partners who can demonstrate:
- Material reuse and circular practices (e.g., reusing excavated material).
- Efficient logistics to minimise transport emissions.
- Use of hybrid or electric plant where feasible.
- Stormwater management that protects local ecosystems.
Salboheds leads by example, implementing low-impact construction practices across our sites. We integrate sustainability planning from the earliest design stages — helping clients align with both EU Taxonomy requirements and corporate ESG objectives.
6. N + 1 Service Mindset
Data-centre operators live by the N + 1 principle — having redundancy for every critical system. Groundwork contractors should apply a similar mindset to project delivery.
Does your partner have:
- Backup equipment and skilled operators on standby?
- Contingency plans for weather disruptions?
- Redundant supply chains for key materials?
Salboheds’ scale and structure allow us to maintain redundancy in operations. With multiple regional teams and supplier partnerships, we ensure that unforeseen events don’t become project-stoppers.
4. Industry Credibility: Why SDIA Membership Matters
In the fast-evolving Nordic data-centre market, credibility and collaboration are key.
Salboheds is a proud member of the Swedish Data Center Industry Association (SDIA) — the national body representing Sweden’s data-centre ecosystem. This membership is more than symbolic; it’s a statement of shared purpose.
Through SDIA, Salboheds contributes to:
- Advancing industry best-practice in sustainability and infrastructure delivery.
- Participating in technical working groups and joint research initiatives.
- Strengthening Sweden’s role as a global hub for sustainable data-centre growth.
For clients, our SDIA membership signals alignment with the highest standards of transparency, safety, and innovation in the sector.
5. Decision-Matrix: Evaluating Your Groundworks Partner
When comparing contractors, objectivity is crucial. Below is a simplified decision-matrix you can use to benchmark bidders during your selection process.
|
Criteria |
Key Questions to Ask |
Ideal Partner Indicators |
|---|---|---|
|
Experience |
Have they delivered large-scale DC groundworks (>100 MW)? |
Proven portfolio, client references, repeat work with hyperscalers |
|
Safety |
How is safety embedded in daily operations? |
Documented safety management system, low incident rates |
|
Local Knowledge |
Are they familiar with Nordic climate, soil, and regulations? |
Regional projects, Nordic supplier network |
|
Schedule Control |
How do they plan, monitor, and report progress? |
Digital project tracking, proactive risk management |
|
Sustainability |
What carbon-reduction practices are implemented? |
Material reuse, hybrid equipment, environmental KPIs |
|
Scalability |
Can they scale resources and manage multiple workfronts? |
Large workforce, established subcontractor ecosystem |
|
Industry Credibility |
Are they recognised by relevant associations (e.g., SDIA)? |
Verified membership, active participation |
|
Partnership Mindset |
Are they transparent, collaborative, and responsive? |
Open reporting, early engagement, shared risk management |
By applying a structured matrix, decision-makers can move beyond price and assess long-term value — selecting partners that deliver certainty, not just scope.
6. Mitigating Cost Overruns and Schedule Slips
Selecting the right groundworks partner is the single most effective way to reduce total project risk. Here’s how it pays off:
1. Fewer Design Revisions
Experienced groundwork contractors engage early, verifying constructability and design assumptions. This avoids costly redesigns later.
2. Faster Mobilisation
Local partners with established supply chains can mobilise machinery, materials, and labour more rapidly — especially in regions with short seasonal windows.
3. Predictable Costs
Transparent partners provide realistic budgets with defined contingencies. They manage unknowns like groundwater and soil conditions through early geotechnical studies, reducing “surprise costs.”
4. Reduced Rework
Precision and experience ensure slab tolerances, duct alignments, and drainage gradients are correct the first time — avoiding downstream rework and warranty issues.
5. Enhanced Reputation
Reliable delivery enhances the developer’s credibility with hyperscaler clients and local stakeholders — a long-term benefit that extends beyond a single project.
7. Why Salboheds Sets the Standard
Salboheds Bygg & Anläggning AB has built its reputation as one of Sweden’s leading groundwork specialists for the data-centre industry. Our value proposition rests on five pillars:
- Proven Experience – over 250 MW of data-centre groundwork delivered across Sweden and the Nordics.
- Full-Scope Capability – from virgin ground through earthworks, utilities, slab, roads, and landscaping.
- Safety Leadership – a culture where every worker goes home safe, every day.
- Digital Precision – GPS-guided machinery, BIM integration, and real-time progress tracking.
- Sustainable Practice – minimising emissions, reusing materials, and protecting natural resources.
Our integrated delivery model means we can manage complete groundwork packages — reducing interfaces and improving coordination for general contractors and clients alike.
Combined with our SDIA membership and strong local partnerships, Salboheds offers a balance of regional presence, international reliability, and innovation leadership that few can match.
8. The Cost of Choosing Wrong
While it’s tempting to focus on tender price, experience shows that low-cost bids often mask hidden risk.
Common warning signs include:
- Underestimated logistics or soil-remediation costs.
- Lack of redundancy or backup capacity.
- Poor coordination between civils and utilities.
- Over-reliance on subcontractors with limited oversight.
In a data-centre environment, even small missteps can trigger major downstream costs. A delayed groundwork phase can cause cascading losses in structural, mechanical, and electrical work — ultimately pushing operational readiness back by weeks or months.
The most cost-effective project is the one that stays on time, on spec, and on safety target.
9. Building Long-Term Partnerships, Not One-Off Projects
At Salboheds, we don’t see ourselves as a contractor — we see ourselves as a partner in performance.
We work closely with developers, general contractors, and hyperscale clients from the earliest concept phase to post-handover review. Our teams share risk, anticipate challenges, and collaborate transparently to deliver reliable outcomes.
By building trust and consistency, we help clients de-risk not only their current project, but also future phases and expansions. Many of our partnerships evolve into multi-year collaborations across multiple sites — a testament to our consistency and reliability.
10. Conclusion – The Right Partner Builds More Than Foundations
The success of a hyperscale data centre begins long before the first rack of servers is installed. It starts with the ground you build on — and the partner you choose to prepare it.
A strong groundworks partner brings:
- Safety as a culture.
- Predictability as a practice.
- Sustainability as a standard.
- Partnership as a mindset.
For developers and hyperscalers entering the Nordic market, Salboheds Bygg & Anläggning AB stands ready to deliver the solid foundation your vision deserves.
With over 250 MW of groundworks delivered, deep local expertise, and recognised industry leadership through our SDIA membership, we offer what truly matters: confidence, capability, and commitment — from the first shovel to the final inspection.
Let’s Build the Foundation Together
Ready to discuss your next data-centre project in the Nordics?
Contact the Salboheds team to explore how we can get your project right from day one.