Yandex increases renewable energy use in its Data Center operations

Moscow and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, June 30, 2021 – Yandex (NASDAQ and MOEX: YNDX), one of Europe’s largest internet companies and the leading search and ride-hailing provider in Russia, has signed a 5-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for wind energy with Finnish renewable energy company Ilmatar Energy. Under the contract Yandex will source renewable electricity from wind farms operated by Ilmatar to cover 100% of the energy needs for the company’s Mäntsälä data center in Finland. Delivery of renewable electricity to Yandex will begin on January 1, 2022. 

Photo: ilmatar.fi

This agreement advances Yandex’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, as described in its inaugural Sustainability Report. Yandex reported that 52% of its carbon footprint was associated with electricity consumption (Scope 2), 90% of which was attributed to data centers (DCs). To reinforce climate change mitigation, Yandex is enhancing energy efficiency measures with the ‘greening’ of its energy mix.

Designed to meet the most rigorous energy efficiency standards, Yandex’s newest data centers, including Mäntsälä, have been achieving a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1, which represents overhead energy use that is 6 times more efficient than the global average. In addition, the Mäntsälä DC has been employing a server heat recovery solution to raise the temperature of the water pumped into local heating systems, which contributes to the reduction of GHG emissions associated with the use of electricity for heating water. 

Coupled with high energy efficiency, the purchase of wind energy for the Mäntsälä DC is expected to result in emissions reductions. Thanks to the PPA with Ilmatar, close to 20% of the total electricity consumption by Yandex data centers globally will be matched with the procurement of clean energy from regional sources. The company reiterates its commitment to continue opting for greener energy sources, where possible.

About Ilmatar Energy

Ilmatar Energy is a Finnish energy company that exclusively produces renewable energy and operates at every single stage of wind power production. Ilmatar Energy sells renewable energy for both businesses and consumers. The company targets to increase Finnish wind power generation capacity by 1GW by 2027. Ilmatar Energy is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. 

About Yandex

Yandex (NASDAQ and MOEX: YNDX) is a technology company that builds intelligent products and services powered by machine learning. Our goal is to help consumers and businesses better navigate the online and offline world. Since 1997, we have delivered world-class, locally relevant search and information services. Additionally, we have developed leading on-demand transportation services, navigation products, and other mobile applications for millions of consumers across the globe. Yandex, which has over 30 offices worldwide, has been listed on the NASDAQ since 2011 and Moscow Exchange since 2014.

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Yulia Gerasimova
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E-mail: askIR@yandex-team.ru

Media Relations 
Daria Gerasimova
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E-mail: pr@yandex-team.ru