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Author: Laura Fewell

Content Marketing Executive, DataX Connect I write research-led content about the data centre sector including compensation trends, market insights, and current challenges facing the industry - for both the professionals working in it and the employers shaping it.

Weekly Data Centre Digest – 28th February 2025

Posted on by Laura Fewell

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Reports

CBRE: North America Data Center Trends H2 2024. Read here.

Cushman & Wakefield: EMEA Data Centre Update H2 2024. Read here.

Europe

Solaria obtains 225 MW to connect data centers in the Basque Country. Read here.

Spain’s grid operator gives Solaria greenlight for two data center projects totaling 438MW. Read here.

Stoneshield plans 6.8 million sq ft data center campus outside Santander, Spain. Read here.

Eni partners with UAE’s MGX and G42 to develop 1GW of data centers in Italy. Read here.

Decision due on £10 billion datacentre plans for Cambois in Northumberland. Read here.

Data center to be built in former bunker in Leverkusen, Germany. Read here.

Drax considering using Selby biomass generators to power data centre (UK). Read here.

Telecom Italia has connected its data center outside Milan to a local district heating scheme. Read here.

Middle East & Africa

e& to sell 40% stake in Khazna Data Center Holdings for $2.2bn. Read here.

DataVolt leases land from MODON for new AI data centre in Riyadh. Read here.

Sudlows Consulting announced its acquisition by Kent, a global leader in engineering services. Read here.

iXAfrica unveils first phase of NBOX1 data centre with new KIXP PoP. Read here.

APAC

Alibaba Group to invest $53bn in cloud and AI infrastructure in next three years. Read here.

South Korea’s Jeollanam-do province secures $35bn deal for world’s largest AI data centre. Read here.

Billionaire Robert Kuok’s Grandson Drives $10 Billion Bet On AI Data Centers. Read here.

PLDT explores new data centre investment as CVC talks conclude. Read here.

Gaw Capital, Sinar Primera build Indonesia-Singapore digital bridge with new data centre. Read here.

Turkish satellite firm Türksat to build 21MW data center outside Ankara. Read here.

Colt DCS expands hyperscale data centre footprint with Inzai 4 launch in Tokyo, Japan. Read here.

Blackstone and Panchil Realty to build 500 MW hyperscale data center in India. Read here.

ISPT files to build 170MW data center in Sydney, Australia. Read here.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres announced the groundbreaking of its first data centre facility in the STT Johor data centre campus – STT Johor 1. Read here.

Singapore unveils guidelines for data centre and cloud operators. Read here.

Bytedance’s TikTok to invest $8.8 bln in Thailand data centres. Read here.

North America

Meta in talks for $200 billion AI data center project. Read here.

Meta in Talks to Raise $35 Billion for Data-Center Financing Led by Apollo. Read here.

Microsoft (MSFT) Cancels Data Center Leases While Maintaining $80 Billion Infrastructure Spending Plan. Read here.

Data center in Waukee to expand as part of Apple’s new $500 billion U.S. investment plan. Read here.

Nvidia Reports Record-Breaking Revenue on Blackwell Earnings. Read here.

CoreWeave eyes $4 billion IPO, valuation could exceed $35 billion. Read here.

Rowan Digital Infrastructure announced it closed a further $1.24 billion of construction financing to build the second phase of a flagship hyperscale data center campus in Maryland. Read here.

Vantage Data Centers commits $1.75 billion to expand Canadian hyperscale infrastructure. Read here.

New Era Helium and Sharon AI Announce Letter of Intent to Acquire 200-Acre Site for 250MW Net-Zero AI/HPC Data Center in the Permian Basin. Read here.

Core Scientific Stock Surges After $1.2B Expansion of Data Center With CoreWeave. Read here.

Hyperscale Data to scale Michigan data center to 300MW. Read here.

PowerHouse and Provident to develop 1.8GW campus in DFW, Texas. Read here.

TECfusions Expands Data Center Footprint with 73-Acre Virginia Acquisition. Read here.

Cipher Mining acquires more than 500 acres across two sites in Texas for crypto and HPC use. Read here.

JK Land Holdings gets approval for Greenlin Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Read here.

Direct-to-chip cooling specialist Accelsius has partnered with Nordik Data Centers to build an AI data center in Montreal, Canada. Read here.

Hoffman Estates could see third data center campus with sale of Plum Farms property (Illinois). Read here.

Edged Data Centers Opens New AI-Ready Data Center in Aurora (Chicago). Read here.

Continent 8 launches data center in Missouri. Read here.

Iron Mountain has broken ground on it’s first data center in Miami. Read here.

Schneider Electric launches R&D data center in Massachusetts. Read here.

Illinois Teachers commits $300m to US data centre and residential debt funds. Read here.

South America

Entel Bolivia opens new datacenter and announces fiber expansion. Read here.

ODATA Announces Energization of Mexico’s Largest Data Center Campus. Read here.

Other interesting articles

AI Factories: Separating Hype From Reality. Read here.

Does It Matter If Microsoft Is Cancelling AI Data Center Leases? Read here.

How to build data centers without raising grid costs — and emissions. Read here.

Data Center 50: The Hottest Data Center Companies Of 2025. Read here.

Nope. You probably can’t cash in by turning your office or farm into a datacenter. Read here.

A rocket was just fired into space containing the first data center to land on the moon, which is both incredible and incredibly corporate in equal measure. Read here.

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Weekly Data Centre Digest – 21st February 2025

Posted on by Laura Fewell

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Reports

The Data Center Coalition: Economic contributions of U.S. data centers, 2017-2023. Read here.

EightAdvisory: Creating value from the data centre opportunity. Read here.

Europe

Microsoft to invest $704m into expanding Polish data centers. Read here.

Real estate investment trust Prologis is looking to expand its data center footprint in Europe. Read here.

Fluidstack to Build 1GW AI Supercomputer in France. Read here.

French cloud computing provider Sesterce is investing €450 million ($471.85m) into developing an AI data center in Valence, France. Read here.

French modular data center operator Eclairion has raised €50 million ($52m) and revealed it is hosting AI lab Mistral’s new training cluster. Read here.

Heijmans will build a new data center in the Dutch province of North Holland, with a floor area of 11,000 square meters. Read here.

NorthC breaks ground on 4.5MW expansion in Amsterdam. Read here.

Oxigen opens its largest data centre in Spain in partnership with Vertiv. Read here.

Keppel sells data center in Frankfurt, Germany, for €50m. Read here.

A data center development has been proposed at the Krofdorf-Gleiberger Augarten in Wettenberg, Germany. Read here.

Scandinavian Data Centers launches its first ecosystem site integrating battery energy storage, data center and heat recovery. Read here.

Residents face relocation as Heathrow data centre plans move forward. Read here.

Havering Council is seeking legal advice after a developer started works on a huge data centre without approval. Read here.

Data centre project at UK’s first AI Growth Zone attracts significant private sector interest. Read here.

British Gas is carrying out a trial using excess heat from data processing to provide free hot water in homes (UK). Read here.

UK-based digital infrastructure provider Pulsant is set to expand its data centre portfolio with the backing of its shareholders. Read here.

Ireland to force new data centres to match power use with generation. Read here.

“Foundational infrastructure” needed as Northern Ireland risks “lagging behind” data centre boom in the south, says MLA. Read here.

Nokia’s $2.3bn Infinera buy set to make company world’s second-biggest vendor of optical networking gear for data centres. Read here.

Middle East & Africa

DataVolt has signed an agreement with The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones to launch a new AI-ready data centre in Riyadh. Read here.

The case for Gulf ‘free data zones’. Read here.

APAC

World’s largest ‘mega’ data center planned for South Korea in $35bn project. Read here.

Goodman Group plans A$4bn raise for data centre expansion. Read here.

Infratil increases stake in Canberra Data Centres close to 50%. Read here.

CDC announces new data centre campus at Laverton, Melbourne. Read here.

Highlander adds new module to Hainan underwater data centre. Read here.

AI giant OpenAI in talks to set up Indian data centre operations. Read here.

North America

Musk’s xAI considering second data center, $5bn Dell server deal. Read here.

QuadReal and T5 to support data centers platform growth to $8.0 bn. Read here.

Majorana 1: Microsoft Set to Accelerate Quantum Computing. Read here.

Aligned Data Centers announced its expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area with a new data center campus in Mansfield, TX. Read here.

Amazon requests permit for 11-building data center campus in Caroline County, Virginia. Read here.

Amazon Web Services is aiming to develop a data center in each county between Northern Virginia and the city of Richmond. Read here.

Amazon expanding data center presence in Oregon; buys 400 acres. Read here.

Microsoft has filed to build two more data centers in San Antonio, Texas. Read here.

Core Scientific announced its expansion into Auburn, Alabama, with a new high-performance computing facility. Read here.

Data center developer ImpactData has partnered with Raeden for its debut data center in North Carolina. Read here.

Teton Digital gets go-ahead for 100MW data center in North Dakota. Read here.

Vantage Data Centers is asking to rezone 618 acres of farmland for a data center development in Pittsboro, Indiana. Read here.

Liquid-cooled data center provider Colovore has begun work on its first facility outside California. Read here.

Avangrid, the US arm of Spanish utility Iberdrola, will construct six new power projects with a combined capacity of 800MW to help meet the soaring energy demand of data centers in the US. Read here.

Hyperscale Data announced that its subsidiary Alliance Cloud Services has reached an agreement in principle with a local utility to increase its Michigan data center power capacity from 30 MW to 300 MW. Read here.

Bloom Energy Expands Data Center Power Agreement with Equinix Surpassing 100MW. Read here.

Dominari: How the Trump Family are Investing in Data Centres. Read here.

American Real Estate Partners Fund IV Oversubscribed at $309M. Read here.

South America

Alibaba Cloud opens its first data centre in Mexico. Read here.

Other interesting articles

Data Centre Demand Fuelling a New ‘Age of Electricity’. Read here.

Turning AI opportunity into AI reality: Why the UK’s data centres are central to its AI ambitions. Read here.

Intelligent Design: Constructing next generation data centers for the AI boom. Read here.

The crypto pivot to AI. Read here.

Fundraising Sector Spotlight: Data Centers. Read here.

Data Centers Investing in Nuclear, Fuel Cells, and Li-ion Batteries. Read here

Join the Data Centre Club on LinkedIn.

You can now receive data centre news direct to your email. Subscribe via Substack.

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The Use of AI in Data Centres 

Posted on by Laura Fewell

AI in Data Centres: Phases of the Data Centre Lifecycle 

AI is shaking up the way data centres are planned, built, and managed. The irony? The very challenges AI has created—like soaring energy demands and infrastructure strain—could be tackled by AI itself. 

From pinpointing the best sites for new facilities to streamlining construction and improving long-term efficiency, AI is becoming an essential tool across the data centre lifecycle. Smarter automation, predictive analytics, and real-time optimisation are helping organisations cut costs, boost sustainability, and enhance security. 

In this article, we’ll explore the role AI plays at every stage—turning data centres into smarter, more resilient powerhouses of the digital world. 

Contents

AI in data centres: design

The design phase in the data centre life cycle is crucial, as decisions made at this stage impact efficiency and performance for years to come. AI enhances this process in several ways: 

  • Site selection: AI analyses geographical data, climate conditions, energy availability, and natural disaster risks to identify the best data centre locations. 
  • Simulation and modelling: Digital tools powered by AI simulate cooling and energy consumption, allowing engineers to optimise designs before construction begins. 
  • Digital twins: AI-driven digital twin technology enables testing of various features and configurations virtually, reducing errors and improving efficiency. 
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM): AI-enhanced BIM helps detect design conflicts early, minimising costly rework and delays. 
  • Parametric design: AI allows for a wider range of design options to be explored in less time, improving decision-making and efficiency. 
  • Compliance checks: Automated compliance verification helps streamline the approval process, ensuring regulatory requirements are met before construction begins. 

Looking for a new opportunity in data centre design?

Submit CV

AI in data centres: construction

AI optimises data centre construction by improving project management, resource allocation, and quality control. 

  • Scheduling optimisation: AI can analyse and test multiple project sequences, identifying the most efficient route and adjusting schedules if delays occur. 
  • Equipment allocation: AI optimises the allocation of Owner-Furnished, Contractor-Installed (OFCI) equipment, helping to manage long and variable lead times effectively. 
  • Augmented Reality (AR): AR tools assist with site layout, ensuring accuracy in the placement of infrastructure components. 
  • Quality control checks: AR can verify installations, detecting errors or deviations from design specifications. 
  • Progress tracking: AI can compare video footage from construction sites with BIM models, tracking progress and identifying any discrepancies. 
  • Waste and energy management: AI-driven systems monitor and optimise material usage and real-time energy consumption, reducing waste and improving sustainability.  
ai in data centres

AI in data centres: operations

Once a data centre is operational, AI enhances efficiency, security, and performance through predictive analytics and automation. 

  • Power and cooling optimisation: AI continuously tracks, adjusts, and optimises heating, cooling, and power distribution to maintain efficiency. 
  • Predictive maintenance: AI analyses historical data and identifies patterns to predict equipment failures before they happen, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. 
  • Workload management: AI can shift workloads based on power consumption patterns and real-time energy prices, optimising energy efficiency. 
  • Data storage optimisation: AI can reorganise stored data, placing frequently accessed data on faster media and identifying redundant files to free up storage space. 
  • Cybersecurity: AI enhances security by detecting cyber threats and suspicious behaviour, helping to prevent attacks before they occur. 
  • Disaster response and recovery: AI-driven disaster response systems create contingency plans and recovery strategies, minimising downtime in case of emergencies. 

Google reported that by applying DeepMind’s machine learning to their data centres, they reduced energy used for cooling by up to 40%.

Looking for a new opportunity in data centre operations?

Submit CV

AI isn’t just reshaping data centres—it’s helping to solve the very challenges it created. By enhancing design, streamlining construction, and optimising operations, AI is driving efficiency, reliability, and sustainability across the entire lifecycle. 

With predictive analytics, automation, and machine learning in play, data centres are becoming smarter, greener, and more resilient. And as AI continues to evolve, its influence will only expand, cementing its place as a game-changer for the future of the industry. 

More insights

Inside Data Centre Podcast

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Other insights

  • Is the Data Centre Industry Doing Enough for Women?

    We’ve known for a while that a gender imbalance exists in the data centre world. But when only 8% of respondents to our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey were female – roughly one in twelve – it brought that reality into sharper focus

    Read more

  • Why Data Centres Are Becoming a Magnet for Young Talent

    Young professionals are being presented with the opportunity to be part of a lucrative and rapidly-evolving sector. In our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, 1,500 people from around the world shared their compensation packages and feelings towards the sector.

    Read more

  • 2025 Data Centre Salaries

    DataX has today, on National Data Centre Day, released the results of its 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, marking the company’s fifth birthday with its most comprehensive report to date.

    Read more

  • Shaping Future Talent at UTC Swindon

    Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) are wrapping up the academic year with a series of high-energy Challenge Days, one of which was at UTC Swindon.

    Read more

  • The Data Centre Power 50 

    We’re proud to share that Andy Davis, Director at DataX Connect and host of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, has been named in the Datacloud Global Power 50 – a list that recognises 50 of the most influential figures shaping the future of the data center industry. 

    Read more

  • Power, Pricing, and Pipeline: CBRE Report 2025 

    This article summarises the key takeaways from CBRE’s Global Data Centre Trends 2025 Report, exploring the state of power, inventory, vacancy, absorption, and availability across global markets.

    Read more

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Weekly Data Centre Digest – 14th February 2025

Posted on by Laura Fewell

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Reports

How to Power AI (UK). Read here.

CBRE: Europe Data Centres Figures Q4 2024. Read here.

Europe

France unveils €109 billion AI investment plan. Read here.

Brookfield and Data4 to spend €20bn on AI infrastructure in France. Read here.

Mistral AI to invest billions building data centre in France. Read here.

G42, AMD to Boost AI Compute in France with New Data Center. Read here.

The iliad Group has announced intentions to invest €3 billion in AI infrastructure from data centres to be a European market leader. Read here.

Evroc announced plans for a 96MW data center outside Cannes, France. Read here.

French energy giant EDF offers up land for data centre projects. Read here.

Salford City Council has approved plans for a £250m data centre at Peel Waters’ Halo West site, in Greater Manchester (UK). Read here.

Yondr broke ground on 40MW London data centre in London campus expansion. Read here.

London has 400 GW of grid requests holding up datacenter builds. Read here.

UK Government opens bidding for AI Growth Zones. Read here.

UK government pledges 500MW of data center power for its AI Growth Zones. Read here.

Tech giants back UK energy reform to create Scottish data centre boom. Read here.

DTRE steps up Europe expansion with Milan data centre mandate. Read here.

Greenlandic telco Tusass is planning a new data center in the capital city, Nuuk. Read here.

Germany’s DataHall plans data center outside Leipzig. Read here.

Green Mountain and KMW top out data center outside Frankfurt, Germany. Read here.

Segro has reported a double-digit jump in profit driven by demand for data centres and improving investment market conditions. Read here.

Middle East & Africa

LEAP 2025: Saudi scores big with over $20bn in AI Investments. Read here.

Saudi Arabia’s Neom signs deal with Datavolt to build $5bn data centre in Oxagon. Read here.

Startup Groq secures $1.5bn AI chip investment. Groq expects to receive the latest funds throughout this year to expand its Dammam data centre in Saudi Arabia. Read here.

Equinix commits to $1bn data centre in Saudi Arabia. Read here.

Stc Group and AWS come together to advance Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation agenda. Read here.

Qareeb Data Centres and Bitcoin mining service provider Pantheon have partnered to rollout Bitcoin mining data centers across the Middle East. Read here.

Ooredoo and Iron Mountain Partner to Accelerate Data Centre Growth Across MENA. Read here.

APAC

Singtel Lands S$643M Green Loan for AI-Ready Data Center. Read here.

Microsoft announces partnership with TAFE NSW to deliver Datacentre Academy. Read here.

NTT Global Data Centers inaugurates 40 MW DC facility in Kolkata. Read here.

AirTrunk unveils second data centre in Malaysia. Read here.

Alibaba Cloud has unveiled its second data center in Thailand. Read here.

North America

Equinix anticipates 7%-8% revenue growth in 2025, driven by AI demand and capacity expansion. Read here.

Data centre REIT Digital Realty exceeds Q4 expectations, tempers 2025 outlook. Read here.

Applied Digital Agrees to Build a Partnership with Macquarie Asset Management for Funding of up to $5.0 Billion to Drive HPC Growth

T5 Data Centers is looking to develop multiple gigawatt-scale campuses, starting with a site outside Chicago, Illinois. Read here.

Stack Infrastructure announced plans for a 144MW data center campus in Loudoun County, Virginia. Read here.

EdgeConneX plans 120MW gas plant to power Ohio data center. Read here.

Vantage Data Centers and VoltaGrid establish partnership to deploy more than One Gigawatt of Power Generation. Read here.

PATRIZIA, a global real estate manager, has invested in US-based Aligned Data Centers. Read here.

Rayburn Electric (Dallas) is preparing for the future as best it knows how: building more generation to meet Data Center requirements. Read here.

Tesla completed the deployment of its 50,000 Nvidia H100 GPU training cluster during Q4 2024. Read here.

Dominion boosts capital expenditure plan amid rising data centre demand. Read here.

Riot Platforms expands board amid AI data center push. Read here.

GDS Holdings mulls $500m US IPO for international data centre arm DayOne. Read here.

Overwatch Capital has partnered with Nautilus Data Technologies to deploy modular, AI-ready data centers. Read here.

South America

$110m Tecto data centre project ‘Mega Lobster’ underway in Fortaleza. Read here.

Other interesting articles

‘Every data center is becoming an AI data center’: The state of data centers in 2025. Read here.

How to get ahead of the data centre power crunch. Read here.

The forgotten workforce: Suicide in construction. Read here.

Data centers are getting a lot of buzz from GCC investors – it makes sense. Read here.

UK AI data center infrastructure – if they build it, will they come? Learnings from the US. Read here.

Join the Data Centre Club on LinkedIn.

You can now receive data centre news direct to your email. Subscribe via Substack.

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Career Development with the Digital Futures Programme

Posted on by Laura Fewell

The transition from education to the workplace can be a daunting one, but hands-on experiences and industry connections can make all the difference. As part of the Digital Futures Programme, students from four University Technical Colleges (UTCs) recently took part in career development days with employers from 10+ data centre companies.

These events were designed to equip students with essential career skills, boost their confidence, and introduce them to the wide range of opportunities available in the digital and data centre sectors.

We were delighted to attend these events, supporting students as mock interviewers and delivering a CV and Personal Branding workshop.

Hands-on career preparation

Throughout the events, students took part in interactive sessions designed to develop key employability skills and prepare them for their future careers. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including: 

  • Mock interviews 
  • LinkedIn  
  • Personal branding 
  • Apprenticeships  
  • Communication skills 
  • CV skills  
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • University pathways 
  • Alumni networking 
  • Public speaking  
  • Team-building  

By rotating through these sessions, students gained exposure to multiple aspects of career preparation. Each activity provided practical skills and real-world insights, giving students a strong foundation to build on as they move into further education, apprenticeships, or employment. 

DataX Connect and the DFP

Stepping into the interview room

As part of their rotations, students attended mock interview sessions. Here, students had the opportunity to practise their interview skills with industry professionals in a real-world setting. 

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but preparation and practice can make all the difference. The goals of these sessions were to: 

  • Build students’ confidence in speaking with employers. 
  • Provide practical experience to prepare for real interviews.
  • Offer constructive feedback to help students improve. 
  • Encourage students to think critically about their skills and strengths. 

Each 30-minute interview included real-time feedback from employers, giving students a chance to reflect on their answers and ask questions about the interview process. 

Students were asked a range of common interview questions to help them articulate their skills, experiences, and ambitions, including: 

  • Tell me about yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses. 
  • Can you give an example of when you showcased teamwork? Leadership? Good organisation? 
  • What do you enjoy most about your education? 
  • What extracurricular activities or achievements are you most proud of? 
  • Where do you see yourself in one, five, or ten years? 

By working through these questions in a supportive environment, students developed well-structured answers and gained confidence in their ability to sell themselves to future employers. 

Real world impact

The mock interviews provided students with invaluable practice and personalised feedback, helping them refine their communication skills and professional approach. 

One student shared: 

“I would recommend these sessions to other people as it gives you a good idea of interviews, apprenticeships, and the importance of LinkedIn.” 

Another said: 

“It was a very informative day and helped with understanding more about apprenticeships and how to present yourself in the world of work.” 

Engagement was exceptionally high with many students saying they now feel more prepared for their future job applications. Several also noted that the sessions helped them identify both strengths and areas for improvement, giving them a clearer sense of direction. 

Read more about the Digital Futures Programme

Collaboration that drives change

Bridging the gap between education and the world of work isn’t always easy, but having industry support makes a huge difference. Events like these give students the chance to meet professionals, ask questions, and get a real feel for what working life is like.

Partners of the Digital Futures Programme include:

The Digital Futures Programme is all about helping young people feel ready for what comes next. By bringing together students, employers, and educators, it’s giving the next generation the skills and confidence to take their first steps into the digital industry. 

We’re really proud to be part of this and can’t wait for the next event!  

More insights

Inside Data Centre Podcast

Subscribe to the DC Digest

Your fortnightly update on everything going on in the data centre industry, all in one place.

Name(Required)
Privacy(Required)
Book a call
Submit a CV
Submit a vacancy

Other insights

  • Is the Data Centre Industry Doing Enough for Women?

    We’ve known for a while that a gender imbalance exists in the data centre world. But when only 8% of respondents to our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey were female – roughly one in twelve – it brought that reality into sharper focus

    Read more

  • Why Data Centres Are Becoming a Magnet for Young Talent

    Young professionals are being presented with the opportunity to be part of a lucrative and rapidly-evolving sector. In our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, 1,500 people from around the world shared their compensation packages and feelings towards the sector.

    Read more

  • 2025 Data Centre Salaries

    DataX has today, on National Data Centre Day, released the results of its 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, marking the company’s fifth birthday with its most comprehensive report to date.

    Read more

  • Shaping Future Talent at UTC Swindon

    Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) are wrapping up the academic year with a series of high-energy Challenge Days, one of which was at UTC Swindon.

    Read more

  • The Data Centre Power 50 

    We’re proud to share that Andy Davis, Director at DataX Connect and host of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, has been named in the Datacloud Global Power 50 – a list that recognises 50 of the most influential figures shaping the future of the data center industry. 

    Read more

  • Power, Pricing, and Pipeline: CBRE Report 2025 

    This article summarises the key takeaways from CBRE’s Global Data Centre Trends 2025 Report, exploring the state of power, inventory, vacancy, absorption, and availability across global markets.

    Read more

GET IN TOUCH

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Contact us
Connect with us

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New Data Centre Locations and 9 Other DC Trends

Posted on by Laura Fewell

The Soben Data Centre Trends 2025 report highlights the rapid evolution of the data centre industry, driven by AI adoption, power constraints, sustainability efforts, and shifting global priorities.  

As demand for computing power surges, data centres are expanding into new regions, embracing renewable energy, nuclear power, and innovative cooling solutions to meet increasing energy requirements.

Meanwhile, labour shortages and the need for new project management approaches are reshaping how data centres are designed and built. We’ve summarised the key points from the report below. 

Download the full report

Summary

  1. AI: Pause for Thought – AI-driven data centres are growing at an unprecedented rate, requiring massive power and infrastructure while reshaping industries like healthcare, finance, and robotics. 
  2. More On-Site Power Generation – Power shortages are delaying data centre projects, leading to increased investment in microgrids, hydrogen, and natural gas as interim solutions. 
  3. The Pull of Renewables – The shift to renewable energy sources like hydropower and wind is accelerating as data centres seek carbon-neutral operations, with European and Middle Eastern governments leading the way. 
  4. New Hotspots Emerge – Data centre development is shifting to new regions with renewable energy and available land, including the Nordics, Spain, and the US Midwest, while Scotland emerges as a future hub. 
  5. Driving Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are investing in nuclear power, particularly SMRs, to secure sustainable long-term energy for data centres. 
  6. All Change in Cooling – Higher-density AI computing is pushing liquid cooling adoption, while waste heat reuse and carbon capture are gaining traction for energy efficiency. 
  7. Shifting Rules of Engagement – A shortage of competent general contractors is driving new project management models like PMC (Project Management Consultant) and long-term partnerships with key contractors. 
  8. Ongoing Skills Shortages – The industry faces a severe talent gap across engineering, construction, and trades, requiring significant investment in training and upskilling initiatives.
  9. Beyond Tax Breaks: Attracting New Data Centres – Governments are moving beyond traditional tax incentives, streamlining planning approvals, power access, and fibre connectivity to attract data centre investments.
  10. AI to the Rescue – AI and automation are being used to optimise data centre design, construction, and operations, improving efficiency in areas like cooling, scheduling, and predictive maintenance. 

    New data centre locations

    The declining power availability in established data centre markets and the push for decarbonisation are driving data centre operators to new locations with ample renewable energy, land, and connectivity.  

    The Nordics (Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland) are seeing significant investment due to their hydropower resources and cool climates. 

    Spain, Italy, Belgium, Poland, and Austria are experiencing activity as Tier 2 and Tier 3 data centre hubs.  

    The newest market poised to emerge in Europe is Scotland. Already generating more power from renewable sources than it uses. Connections and proximity to subsea data cables, and its cooler climate. 

    In the US, power constraints are pushing developers to Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska,  

    Meanwhile, the Middle East is witnessing a race between Qatar and Oman to become the region’s leading data centre hub, fuelled by bold investments in renewable energy and digital infrastructure. 

    Ongoing skills shortage

    The data centre industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled professionals, from leadership and management staff to electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers, leading to rising labour costs and project delays.  

    The demand for experienced workers with both construction and data centre expertise far exceeds supply, particularly in new and emerging markets. The ageing workforce and lack of younger talent entering the industry exacerbate the issue, while the rise of new technologies like BIM and smart building systems creates additional skill gaps.  

    To address these challenges, contractors and hyperscalers like Amazon are investing in upskilling programmes, apprenticeship programmes, and early-career development initiatives to attract and train the next generation of data centre professionals. The Digital Futures Programme, based at UK UTCs, is one such initiative aiming to attract more young people to the sector. 

    Download the full report

    As the data centre industry continues to evolve, businesses and governments must adapt quickly to keep pace with AI-driven demand, energy constraints, and workforce shortages.

    The emergence of new hotspots, investment in alternative power sources, and the adoption of advanced automation will be critical in ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency.

    With collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning, the industry can overcome its challenges and position itself for continued growth in an increasingly digital world. 

    More insights

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    AI and Sustainability: The Driving Forces Behind Data Centre Innovation in 2025 (Soben Report)

    Posted on by Laura Fewell

    February 2024, Glasgow – The data centre industry is at a crossroads as AI-driven demand pushes power, sustainability, and workforce challenges to critical levels. Global construction consultancy, Soben, explores these pressing issues in its newly published Data Centre Trends 2025: Power, AI, and Progress report, revealing bold solutions to the complex problems reshaping the sector.

    The report delves into the transformative impact of AI, driving unprecedented growth in hyperscale facilities and low-latency urban data centres across the region. Meanwhile, ambitious sustainability goals are leading operators to invest in renewable energy hubs, advanced cooling technologies, and, increasingly, nuclear power as an alternative energy source. 

    “AI is reshaping the data centre industry at a pace no one anticipated,” said Scott Smyth, Soben’s Founder and CEO. “The 2025 trends report underscores the challenges this growth presents, but also the opportunities for innovation in power generation, cooling, and operational efficiency.” 

    Sustainability remains a dominant theme, with regions like the Nordics and Scotland emerging as leaders in renewable energy-powered data centres. Governments in these areas are streamlining planning processes, enhancing renewable energy capacity, and investing in infrastructure upgrades to attract investment and meet the region’s digital demands. 

    “EMEA is setting a global example by aligning bold government initiatives with operator-driven innovation,” said Pieter Schaap, Soben’s Group Development Director. “Collaboration and adaptability will be key to unlocking the region’s full potential and overcoming the challenges ahead.” 

    Key highlights for the EMEA region include: 

    • Urban innovation: Growing demand for low-latency solutions is driving investments in edge and urban data centres across major European cities. 
    • Sustainable solutions: Operators are adopting cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced cooling systems and alternative energy solutions, to align with the region’s ambitious climate goals. 

    The Data Centre Trends 2025 report is an essential resource for developers, operators, and stakeholders across the data centre industry. 

    Access the full report and gain insights into the trends at www.sobencc.com/DCTrends2025  

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      Read more

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    One response to “AI and Sustainability: The Driving Forces Behind Data Centre Innovation in 2025 (Soben Report)”

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    Weekly Data Centre Digest – 7th February 2025

    Posted on by Laura Fewell

    Sign up to receive data centre news, articles, reports, and more from DataX Connect.

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    Reports

    Data Center Capex to Surpass $1 Trillion by 2029, According to Dell’Oro Group. Read here.

    Knight Frank: Data Centres Global Forecast Report. Read here.

    Cushman & Wakefield: EMEA Data Centre Market Update H2 2024. Read here.

    Europe

    The UAE will invest between €30 billion and €50 billion to build Europe’s largest AI data centre in France. Read here.

    Virtus to build 70MW Milan data centre in European expansion push. Read here.

    Verne expands Helsinki data center campus with strategic site acquisition. Read here.

    Panattoni gets green light for 88MW Barcelona data center, Spain. Read here.

    Scandinavian Data Centers launches its first ecosystem site. Read here.

    Greece to Develop 18 Data Centers by 2030. Read here.

    Data4 is raising EUR 3.3 bln in funding for the further development of the company across Europe, including the advancement of projects in Poland. Read here.

    Data center operators in Norway have been given until July 1 to comply with new transparency regulations. Read here.

    The UK government is set to overhaul planning rules for nuclear reactors, making it easier to build new clean energy sources for power data centres. Read here.

    Concern UK’s AI ambitions could lead to water shortages. Read here.

    MP seeks Government reassurance on Cambois (UK) datacentre after Chinese AI system spooks market. Read here.

    An investigation is underway after works started on a controversial data centre (East Havering, UK) – while the proposal is “still being considered”. Read here.

    The patch of land in Greater Manchester ‘critical’ for the country’s future. Read here.

    Green Mountain selects TClarke to expand its London data center. Read here.

    European data centre space shortage expected in 2025 as AI booms. Read here.

    AVK is expanding its European footprint with a new service hub in Lelystad, Netherlands. Read here.

    Middle East & Africa

    Batelco has signed a heads of terms contract at Capacity Middle East, for the development of the first White Space Data Centre in Bahrain. Read here.

    Qatari telco Ooredoo Group has announced plans to build a subsea cable connecting seven countries in the Middle East. Read here.

    Aramco Digital, Armada, and Microsoft deploy AI-driven edge computing in Saudi Arabia. Read here.

    Tlou Energy to build data center in Lesedi, Botswana. Read here.

    APAC

    A donation of $100 million from the Khuda Family Foundation, the largest ever made to the University of Sydney, will fund an ambitious 20-year program, creating a pathway for girls from Western Sydney into STEM education and careers. Read here.

    E& expands Fujairah SmartHub by launching 1.5 GW data center. Read here.

    SingTel secures $476 million green loan to develop data centre. Read here.

    Samsung C&T focuses on transport and data centre projects amid semiconductor slowdown. Read here.

    The data-center boom drives growing profits for Singaporean asset manager Keppel. Read here.

    CtrlS Datacenters building 125 MWp of solar to power site in Mumbai. Read here.

    Capitaland Investment commits over US$700 million to build its first data centre in Japan. Read here.

    Converge ICT to Launch New Data Center in Caloocan. Read here.

    North America

    Amazon plans to spend $100 billion this year to capture ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ in AI. Read here.

    Alphabet expects to invest about $75 billion in capital expenditures in 2025. Read here.

    OpenAI’s Stargate AI data centre expansion eyes new locations. Read here.

    Prologis plans 10GW of data centers over 10 years. Read here.

    Denver firm Tract seeks to rezone 700-plus acres for data center park in Chesterfield. Read here.

    Yondr breaks ground on 27MW data center in Toronto, Canada. Read here.

    SoftBank has invested $50m in cryptomine data center firm Cipher Mining. Read here.

    New Era Helium and Sharon AI finalize JV to develop 250MW net-zero data center in Texas. Read here.

    Crusoe, Kalina partner to develop natural gas powered AI data centers in Alberta, Canada. Read here.

    Cryptocurrency mining firm Bitdeer Technologies Group has acquired a 101MW gas-fired power project in Canada where it plans to develop a 99MW Bitcoin mining operation. Read here.

    520-acre data center campus planned in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Read here.

    Amazon is looking to develop another data center in Ohio. Read here.

    Corscale breaks ground on hyperscale data centre in Virginia. Read here.

    Hundreds of acres in the western part of Chesterfield would be dedicated to data center projects. Read here.

    FirstLight doubles capacity at former NATO data center in Maine. Read here.

    TA Digital Group Announces Senior Leadership Team Comprised of Seasoned Data Center Industry Executives. Read here.

    New York pension dives into data centers amid $2.1bn in alts commitments. Read here.

    South America

    Latin America’s newcomers to the datacenter arena. Read here.

    Why battery storage will be key for Brazil’s booming datacenter sector. Read here.

    Other interesting articles

    Big Tech’s $1T Gamble. Read here.

    Data Centres are booming – with and without AI. Read here.

    European data centre space shortage expected in 2025 as AI booms. Read here.

    AI to drive 165% increase in data center power demand by 2030. Read here.

    Call to make tech firms report data centre energy use as AI booms. Read here.

    PTC’25 | How local communities can shape global connectivity. Read here.

    Building smart: An inside look at sustainability in data centre construction. Read here.

    Join the Data Centre Club on LinkedIn.

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    Sweden Data Centre Market Report

    Posted on by Laura Fewell

    Download the Sweden data centre market report for information on:

    – Largest data centre markets in Sweden

    – Current market size and value

    – Emerging trends and opportunities

    – Challenges in the Swedish data centre market

    Sweden Region Report Download

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    Three Data Centre Events You Won’t Want to Miss

    Posted on by Laura Fewell

    Contents

    Data centre events calendar

    Kickstart Europe 2025

    Kickstart Europe 2025 is a major data centre and digital infrastructure event, bringing together C-level leaders to discuss the evolution of the data centre industry. The theme this year is “The Next Gen”, which focuses on ‘future challenges in cloud, connectivity, and sustainability’.

    The agenda includes a welcome evening and a full conference day with four tracks: Sustainability, Tech & Innovation, Finance & Investments, and European Developments.

    Data Centres Expo Global 2025 

    Data Centres Expo Global 2025 is a key event for sector, bringing together top decision-makers to discuss future challenges and innovations. Key topics at this event include AI-driven energy demands, green data centres, and AI-ready infrastructures.

    The event features expert keynotes, panel discussions, and case studies, with networking opportunities and access to cutting-edge enterprise technology.

    AHR Expo 2025

    AHR Expo 2025 is a major HVACR industry event, featuring 1,800+ exhibitors showcasing innovations in heating, cooling, ventilation, and sustainability. With 50,000+ attendees, including engineers, contractors, and facility managers, it offers networking, product demonstrations, and insights into the latest industry trends.

    Want to keep up-to-date with the latest industry events? Follow us on LinkedIn.

    More insights

    Inside Data Centre Podcast

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    Your fortnightly update on everything going on in the data centre industry, all in one place.

    Name(Required)
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    Other insights

    • Is the Data Centre Industry Doing Enough for Women?

      We’ve known for a while that a gender imbalance exists in the data centre world. But when only 8% of respondents to our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey were female – roughly one in twelve – it brought that reality into sharper focus

      Read more

    • Why Data Centres Are Becoming a Magnet for Young Talent

      Young professionals are being presented with the opportunity to be part of a lucrative and rapidly-evolving sector. In our 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, 1,500 people from around the world shared their compensation packages and feelings towards the sector.

      Read more

    • 2025 Data Centre Salaries

      DataX has today, on National Data Centre Day, released the results of its 2025 Data Centre Salary Survey, marking the company’s fifth birthday with its most comprehensive report to date.

      Read more

    • Shaping Future Talent at UTC Swindon

      Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) are wrapping up the academic year with a series of high-energy Challenge Days, one of which was at UTC Swindon.

      Read more

    • The Data Centre Power 50 

      We’re proud to share that Andy Davis, Director at DataX Connect and host of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, has been named in the Datacloud Global Power 50 – a list that recognises 50 of the most influential figures shaping the future of the data center industry. 

      Read more

    • Power, Pricing, and Pipeline: CBRE Report 2025 

      This article summarises the key takeaways from CBRE’s Global Data Centre Trends 2025 Report, exploring the state of power, inventory, vacancy, absorption, and availability across global markets.

      Read more

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