Fixing the Data Centre Talent Shortage Through Partnerships with Schools 

Activate Learning Education Trust – Press Release

3rd December 2024 – A group of secondary schools are working in a new, innovative way with forward-thinking digital infrastructure companies to upskilling students in digital and technical skills, after a report calls on the government to act urgently to address a growing digital skills gap that, if left unchecked, could lose the economy billions. 

The report from Tech UK has highlighted a number of constraints affecting growth in data centres, including the need for central and local governments to implement policies now to ensure the next generation is equipped to thrive in careers within the sector, sustaining the industry’s momentum.  

Bringing data centres into careers awareness in schools is vital – and an expanding group of secondary schools has already taken it a step further with a ground-breaking, UK first programme of digital and employability skills designed and ran by digital infrastructure leaders working collaboratively to bring more people up into the industry. 

The Digital Futures Programme, which is cited in the Tech UK report, began four years ago, bringing together Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) – a multi academy trust comprising six secondary schools with just over 3,000 students in the Thames Valley – and some forward-thinking digital infrastructure companies willing to leave competition at the door. Four of the ALET schools are University Technical Colleges (UTCs) – STEM-focused secondary schools where students study a specialist technical subject like engineering or digital alongside traditional GCSEs or A Levels. 

During the programme, these UTC students learn technical and employability skills as part of their curriculum to prepares them for STEM-focused degrees or apprenticeships. The programme enables students to learn about the DI industry, and the significant opportunities, even at entry level, that are available to them. 

Employment opportunities coming from the programme, (which now has 13 partners on board, including some of the biggest data centre companies such as Digital Realty, Ark, AWS and Cyrus One and related experts including CBRE, LMG, DataX Connect, and JLL) are growing each year, with ALET supporting partners to develop and promote their apprenticeships.

So far, with the programme having run in only one UTC until this academic year, five students have started working for partners after completing level 3 qualifications – companies who are thrilled with the level of skill and knowledge their new recruits bring with them! Following the success of the programme at UTC Heathrow, the programme rolled out to all four of ALET’s UTCs (Reading, Oxfordshire and Swindon) this September, and the intention is this expansion will continue, benefiting both the students getting a foot onto a lucrative career ladder and employers taking on enthusiastic, skilled apprentices. 

The employer partners contribute financially to the Trust, enabling effective administration of the programme and presence at Data Centre World, which both recruits new partners each year and provides a fantastic careers opportunity for those students who win a place to attend. 

Partners volunteer their time to set exciting full-day challenges, run masterclasses on technical topics and train students in key employability skills such as communication, teamwork, CVs and interview skills. All students benefit from this programme, with engineering students also getting to work closely with partners within selected BTEC units, where partners set projects that enable students to cover the necessary theory but apply it in the context of real-world issues partners face every day.  

ALET offers training and significant levels of support for the partner volunteers to help them work with the students, and the volunteers get huge satisfaction from their time with students, ‘paying it forwards’ and passing on their skills and passion for their industry. 

“We have seen the results of the programme with the success achieved by our first intake of UTC Heathrow student apprentices, who have already had a hugely positive impact on our business. The Digital Futures Programme really is a win-win for employers, students, UTCs and the UK digital infrastructure industry as a whole”.  
Mike Hook, owner, LMG



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Digital Futures Programme hosts Thrilling Sustainability Challenge Day with KAO Data

Students at UTC Heathrow were immersed in an exciting and educational day of challenges focused on sustainability in data centres, hosted by KAO Data and supported by VIRTUS, Vertiv, JLL, Cyrus One, LMG, AWS, ARK, and others. The Digital Futures Programme event offered a hands-on, creative exploration of renewable energy, engineering principles, and the importance of sustainability in today’s digital world.


KAO Data at UTC Heathrow for a Digital Futures Programme event

Inspiring the next generation of innovators

Led by KAO Data’s team, including Mike Tamblingson, Chris Small, Lizzy McDowell, and Faisal Akram, the day aimed to educate students about data centres—vital hubs for powering the digital age—and their role in the journey towards a sustainable future. KAO Data, a leader in green energy solutions, operates their centres using 100% renewable energy, making them the perfect hosts for this inspiring event. 

Mike Tamblingson, Operations Director at KAO Data, spoke passionately about the company’s commitment to fostering the next generation of STEM professionals: 

“I am personally very passionate about the next generation. I love working in data centres and wanted to give something back. I’m keen to drive initiatives like this at KAO Data and feel privileged to be part of days like today.” 


A day of engaging challenges

The day began with an introduction to data centres, explaining their crucial role in students’ daily lives and emphasising the need for sustainable solutions. Students then embarked on a series of hands-on activities: 

1. Designing a data centre model

Working in teams, students cut and constructed their own data centre models, carefully considering critical features like security, backup generators, and location. The activity encouraged creative thinking and a deeper understanding of data centre design and functionality. 

2. Building a windmill 

Next, students designed and built windmills in a competitive challenge to generate the highest DC voltage. Using a digital multimeter with a “Peak Hold” feature, teams tested their windmills’ performance. Designs varied widely, showcasing students’ ingenuity and engineering skills. 

3. Constructing a wind-powered car

The final challenge saw students build wind-powered cars, focusing on friction, aerodynamics, and surface area. Cars were tested in front of a fan, with winners judged on distance covered and design innovation. One team’s clever use of a brown paper bag to capture maximum wind earned them the top prize. 


Inspiring conversations and future aspirations 

Throughout the day, students shared their aspirations, with some expressing newfound excitement about data centre careers. One student, already set on becoming a civil engineer, explained how events like this reinforced her decision to leave her mainstream school and join the UTC to complete her GCSEs in more relevant subjects. Others, still exploring their options we inspired by the innovative possibilities in STEM fields. 


Kao Data at UTC Heathrow

Celebrating success

Winners of each activity were rewarded with Amazon vouchers, and all students left with a deeper appreciation for sustainability, technology and a potential career in data centres. Reflecting on the event, KAO Data’s team and supporting partners were thrilled with the enthusiasm and creativity on display. 


A bright future

Events like this exemplify the power of collaboration between industry leaders and education to inspire the next generation of innovators. UTC Heathrow and KAO Data’s partnership has not only highlighted the importance of sustainability in data centres but also ignited a passion for STEM careers among students. 

UTC Heathrow, with its forward-thinking approach to education, continues to be a hub for preparing young minds for the challenges and opportunities of the future. 



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Applied Digital Closes $150 million Senior Secured Note With Macquarie Equipment Capital, Inc. to Refinance Existing Credit Facility With Former Senior Lender

  • Refinances senior secured credit facility with former senior lender, lowering overall cost of capital for the Company’s Ellendale High Performance Computing (“HPC”) data center campus and avoiding costly December 7, 2024 increase to the minimum return hurdle.
  • Eliminates parent guarantee and cross collateralization of other assets, increasing flexibility for future corporate and project level debt financings.
  • Provides further validation of Ellendale HPC project through a senior secured financing partnership with one of the world’s largest infrastructure investors.

DALLAS – December 2, 2024 — Applied Digital Corporation (Nasdaq: APLD) (“Applied Digital” or the “Company”), a designer, builder and operator of next-generation digital infrastructure designed for HPC applications, announced today that the Company, through its subsidiary, APLD Holdings 2, LLC, closed a $150 million senior secured debt financing with Macquarie Equipment Capital, Inc., a division of Macquarie Group’s Commodities and Global Markets’ business (“Macquarie”). APLD Holdings 2, LLC issued a Promissory Note (the “Note”) for the full $150 million in gross proceeds on November 27th, 2024, and simultaneously repaid its obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility with CIM Group, removing encumbrances on assets outside of APLD Holdings 2, as well as the parent guarantee. The remaining net proceeds will be used to repay other outstanding debt and pay transaction expenses.




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Weekly Data Centre Digest – 29th November 2024

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


Reports

DLA Piper: Navigating Global Growth in Data Centres – Riding the AI Wave. Read here.

A Shift in Iberian Demand: From Machinery to Data 2024. Read here.

Data center trends 2025: Vertiv predicts industry efforts to support, enable, leverage and regulate AI. Read here.


Europe

Latos Data Centres launched and announced a 90MW development in Cardiff. Read here.

Google plans “historic” data centre expansion in Finland. Read here.

Microsoft to build two data centers outside Cologne. Read here.

BSO unveiled DataOne: Europe’s first giga-scale AI Hosting Data Centre (France). Read here.

Planning application lodged for data centre in north Mayo. Read here.

Italy’s TIM to build 25MW data center outside Rome. Read here.

Broadcaster Rai completes five Edge data centers in Italy. Read here.

AWS uses lower carbon steel in the construction of new Swedish data centres. Read here.

Upskilling residents ‘absolutely key’ to new QTS Data Centers AI datacentre, insists deputy leader (Northumberland, UK). Read here.

New Kao Data data centre in Reddish will support local community projects. Read here.

Data centre constraints threaten to slow TikTok’s €12 billion privacy plan – with Ireland at the centre. Read here.

European operator Portus Data Centers is expanding its data center in Luxembourg. Read here.

Mercury Engineering has delivered Equinix’s FR13 data center in Frankfurt, Germany. Read here.

Echelon Data Centres challenges rejected expansion application. Read here.

nLighten rebrands Euclyde to strengthen French edge data center presence. Read here.


Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia is in discussions to develop a massive data centre at Oxagon, with an estimated investment of $12.8 billion. Read here.

Gcore and Qareeb Data Centres have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for digital infrastructure in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Read here.

Navigating the Future: How will the Middle East Data Center Market shape up? Read here.

The Middle East’s Digital Infrastructure Boom. Read here.


APAC

Equinix & NUS to launch sustainable data centre hub. Read here.

CPP Investments doubles down on Korean digital infrastructure. Read here.

Taiwan to power AI data center expansion with hydrogen tech. Read here.

Punjab CM approves Pakistan’s first Tier Four Data Center in Lahore. Read here.

Construction begins on $100m Koscom data center in Anyang-si, South Korea. Read here.

Chindata Group in talks for record $2.8bn loan to fuel Malaysian expansion. Read here.

Equinix secures prime Mumbai real estate for third data centre. Read here.

Infinaxis has topped out its data center in Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Read here.

DCI Indonesia is close to completing an expansion to its DCI H1 campus in Cibitung, East of Jakarta. Read here.

Japan earmarks extra ¥1.5 trillion for chips and AI this year. Read here.


North America

Core Scientific plans to upgrade Denton, Texas, data center for up to $6.1bn. Read here.

Meta set to develop 1,500 acre data center campus outside Indianapolis, Indiana. Read here.

Stream Data Centers is planning a major new 240MW campus outside Atlanta, Georgia. Read here.

US bank BNY sells site in Pennsylvania to Chirisa for 100MW data center development. Read here.

CyrusOne files to build data center outside DFW, Texas. Read here.

Elon Musk raises $6 billion for xAI’s Memphis data center. Read here.

Blackstone pours $500m into Texas AI data centres. Read here.

Microsoft is planning to expand it’s data center in Arizona. Read here.

Vantage Data Centers has topped out its AZ14 facility on its campus in Goodyear, Arizona. Read here.

Archer Datacenters has sold its stake in its first data center project in Tennessee and acquired land for a new site in Minnesota. Read here.

Digital Realty has bought a 155-acre plot for $160 million in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read here.

Cipher Mining announces acquisition of new site in West Texas. Read here.

Oppidan breaks ground 90,000 sq ft on Chicago data center. Read here.

The Falls Township Board of Supervisors approved a nondisclosure agreement Monday night regarding a proposed data center project at the Keystone Trade Center (Philadelphia). Read here.

Coresite completed the construction of 8MW data hall at VA3 data center in Virginia. Read here.

Data Center Developer Equinix Issues $1.2 Billion of Green Bonds. Read here.


South America

Piemonte Holding has launched Piemonte Capital, Brazil’s first asset manager focused solely on data centres. Read here.


Other interesting articles

Data Centre Infrastructure: Growth, Risk, & Commercial Opportunity. Read here.

Global data centre market confident about future growth. Read here.

Investors just can’t pull the plug despite datacenters facing AI power crunch. Read here.

Data-center reliance on fossil fuels may delay clean-energy transition. Read here.

Data center boom fuels demand for nuclear projects. Read here.

AI data centres could spike US energy bills by 70% in five years: think tank. Read here.

AI data centres are cranking up pressure on the supply chain. Read here.

How to Design and Build a Data Centre for the New AI Era. Read here.


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Increasing Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Data Centre Industry: Our Platinum Membership in The 5% Club

The data centre sector is experiencing remarkable growth, fuelled by the ever-increasing demand for cloud services and artificial intelligence. However, this expansion is hindered somewhat by a shortage of talent. The shortage is causing challenges not only for data centre professionals but also for employers and the industry as a whole.

Data is crucial to shaping the future and we need the right talent to tackle humanity’s most complex challenges. We genuinely want to help tackle these challenges by working together with companies and partnerships to highlight the ways they can help as well as coming up with new practical solutions. 

Some of the ways we help data centre companies build a pipeline of future talent directly are: 

  • Leading by example, showing our clients that Platinum membership in the 5% Club is possible as a company in the data centre industry
  • Participating in initiatives such as the Digital Futures Programme, a programme to give 14–19-year-olds exposure to the data centre sector from a young age
  • Showcasing the great work done by other companies in launching their own future talent initiatives, such as The AVK Academy, a new training hub for data centre engineers 

the 5% club platinum award

5% Club Platinum Membership Award

We’re thrilled that we’ve been awarded Platinum accredited membership as part of The 5% Club’s esteemed 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme. This accolade highlights our unwavering commitment to empowering our employees through “earn and learn” initiatives such as Apprenticeships, Graduate Schemes, and Sponsored Student Placements. 

Achieving Platinum status is something we are very proud of. We have aways been passionate about the importance of continual learning and development. We also want to encourage the businesses we work with the consider investing in the development of the next generation of talent.

By being part of The 5% Club, we proudly stand alongside over 1,100 forward-thinking employers who are dedicated to driving positive change. The 5% Club represents a powerful movement of companies working together to make workplace training more inclusive, diverse, and accessible. Collectively, members support 1.9 million employees, with more than 108,000 individuals participating in “earn and learn” schemes. The Employer Audit rigorously assesses our efforts, future ambitions, and commitment to social mobility, diversity, and inclusion, further strengthening our mission. 

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive at The 5% Club, commented:  

“We are incredibly proud of the outstanding employers, like DataX Connect, who have gone above and beyond to invest in the future of their workforce through a diverse range of ‘earn and learn’ initiatives. Their dedication, especially during these challenging times, deserves to be celebrated. By achieving Platinum membership, DataX Connect has shown an exceptional commitment to shaping the skills of tomorrow, contributing not only to their business but to the wider economy.” 

Gill Cronin, Director of Operations at The 5% Club, added: 

“It is inspiring to witness the dedication and passion our members bring to providing meaningful career development opportunities. DataX Connect’s Platinum membership highlights their leadership in creating impactful learning environments that prioritises inclusion and diversity. As we see 20% of our members reaching these prestigious tiers, it’s a true reflection of how companies like DataX Connect are laying the groundwork for the future talent pipeline.” 



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2 responses to “Increasing Apprenticeship Opportunities in the Data Centre Industry: Our Platinum Membership in The 5% Club”

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Latos Data Centres Aims to Fulfil the Promise of AI for UK Businesses

  • UK’s newest data centre operator plans to open 40 data centres across the UK by 2030
  • Focus on enabling AI in the UK with next-generation hyperscale and network-edge volumetric facilities which deliver computing power closer to end users

Stockton-on-Tees – 27 November 2024 – Latos Data Centres has launched, with a mission of enabling UK businesses to capitalise on the power of advanced computing, including AI.  Founded by telecoms entrepreneur Mike Carlin, the privately-held Latos plans to open 40 purpose-built data centres across the UK by 2030.  These will be a combination of hyperscale facilities, alongside smaller volumetric assets at the network edge.

The company has already secured planning permission for its first hyperscale complex near Cardiff and has further sites in development.

Latos “next generation” data centre strategy combines a focus on low-latency, high-performance computing, with flexible modular designs, energy efficiency, and the tightest security standards.  


Latos Data Centres Aims to Fulfil the Promise of AI for UK Businesses

Latos hyperscale data centre in Cardiff, now under construction, will be a Tier III asset designed to meet the needs of the most demanding global technology companies. It will deliver a total of 90MVA across 50,400sq.m of floor space. Power will come from a 100% renewable energy supply from the National Grid, supported with a backup feed from the neighbouring 1000MW Tremorfa Energy Park, one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities.  

Latos volumetric data centres will deliver computing power at the network edge, supporting sophisticated AI use cases like autonomous vehicles and smart manufacturing. Using a modular design approach with offsite assembly, Latos can build and open new volumetric facilities in less than six months, on as little as 0.3 acres of land. Latos offers a turnkey volumetric capability that can be bespoke to customers’ needs. This can cover land acquisition, construction, fit-out, security monitoring, and remote management.

Edge data centre capacity will be key to driving the growth of AI in the UK. According to STL Consulting, as much as 50% of AI workloads will happen at the network edge by 2028. McKinsey analysis suggests that demand for AI-ready data centre capacity globally will rise at an average rate of 33 percent a year between 2023 and 2030.  

Mike Carlin, Founder of Latos Data Centres, said: “The growth of AI means the UK’s data centre map needs to change. Organisations will need more computing power closer to where it is needed, and the ability to specify the exact facilities they need. They also need the peace of mind that comes from working with an experienced partner. Our team has a deep heritage designing and building complex data facilities. We understand better than anyone how best to deliver the infrastructure UK organisations will need.”

Visit the Latos website to find out more.


About Latos

Latos develops purpose-built, Tier III aligned data centres that harness renewable energy to support the most demanding applications. From Edge to Hyperscale, they engineer dedicated, tailor-made data solutions that power organisations of all kinds supported by rapid, industry-leading technical services.

Founded in 2021 by a core team with years of experience and a wide-ranging expertise in the data center industry and backed by I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investor, nLighten is setting new standards for digital infrastructure in Europe.



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nLighten Unveils Rebranding of Euclyde to nLighten France at DC World in Paris

Euclyde transforms into nLighten France, advancing local and European Connectivity.

Amsterdam, 25.11.2024 – nLighten, a leading European digital infrastructure platform, is excited to announce the rebranding of Euclyde to nLighten France, following the acquisition of the Euclyde data centers in 2023. The rebrand will be formally introduced at the DC World event on November 27-28 at Porte de Versailles in Paris, a premier gathering for data center and digital infrastructure leaders.

With this rebranding, nLighten is continuing its journey of bringing its brand across the European platform in order to enhance the visibility of its offerings and deliver new opportunities and services to its clients. Operationally, clients will continue to receive the same local support from their dedicated contacts. The French team will remain closely involved in their account projects.

Beyond the national operations across edge data centers in Sophia-Antipolis, Paris, Lyon, Besançon and Strasbourg, nLighten France’s clients will now have opportunities for expansion across Europe through the group’s edge data centers in Germany, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland.

“We’re thrilled to bring the nLighten brand to France and to our Euclyde team and customers, reinforcing our dedication to delivering cutting-edge digital infrastructure with a local focus in France,” said Harro Beusker, CEO of nLighten. “This rebranding aligns with our vision to bring the best in digital solutions closer to our customers, leveraging the strength of our European edge data centers to support growing demand.”

Anwar Saliba, Managing Director of nLighten France, stated, “Our quality of service, expertise, and presence throughout France are key assets that have made us a prominent player in the market. Under the nLighten France brand we will continue to build on these strengths, providing top-tier hosting solutions that support our clients’ digital transformations.”


Euclyde transforms into nLighten France, advancing local and European Connectivity

Further Steps in Rebranding & Integration

Following the introduction of the nLighten France identity, further integration will allow customers to benefit from nLighten’s expanding ecosystem of sustainable, connected digital infrastructure. The new branding reflects nLighten’s commitment to regional edge data centers, enabling low-latency, highly connected, and sustainable solutions tailored to meet the demands of the French market, including evolving needs such as AI.

The DC World event serves as the ideal platform to debut this next chapter in nLighten’s growth story, with the rebrand symbolizing a continued investment in France and a shared commitment to innovation in the digital infrastructure space.

For more information, visit nLighten’s booth M32, Hall 7.1 at DC World or go to https://www.nlighten.eu/en/


About nLighten

nLighten is a digital infrastructure platform focused on developing and operating innovative edge data centers across Europe’s key economic hubs. Its strategically distributed data centers deliver best-in-class network access to enterprises, private users, and the mobile workforce. nLighten is working towards establishing a pan-European presence in all major cities and smaller business hubs.

Its edge data centers are close, coupled, and connected: By being closer to customers and users, nLighten ensures low-latency access and high availability for businesses, mobile workforces, and private users. With a strong commitment to sustainability, nLighten’s data centers will be coupled with the local community, contributing to grid stability while minimizing environmental impact. Connected to an extensive network of carriers and service providers, nLighten empowers seamless, real-time data connectivity throughout Europe.

Founded in 2021 by a core team with years of experience and a wide-ranging expertise in the data center industry and backed by I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investor, nLighten is setting new standards for digital infrastructure in Europe.



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Weekly Data Centre Digest – 22nd November 2024

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


Data Centre Club Nights

Data Centre Club Arabian Nights Bahrain – Tue Nov 26 – McGettigan’s Bar Bahrain. Register here.


Reports

Aurora Energy Research, a global provider of energy market analysis, has published a new report highlighting how data centres are becoming critical infrastructure in the Iberian Peninsula. Read here.

KPMG: Data centres in Ireland. Read here.

Nvidia’s Data Center Revenue Hits Record High as Results Top Estimates. Read here.


Europe

Data4 broke ground on Greek data center outside Athens. Read here.

Mainova subsidiary secures €475m loan for data centre projects. Read here.

Planning application lodged for data centre in north Mayo. Read here.

TIM announced it will invest around €130 million to grow TIM Enterprise in the cloud and build a new data centre near Rome. Read here.

Firms hatch plan to use data-centre heat to grow food in Scandinavia. Read here.

EU to raid data centre builders over anti-competitive practices. Read here.

FOI requests show the vast majority of UK data center applications are approved. Read here.

Solaria enters the UK and continues to expand its data center business through the creation of joint ventures. Read here.

Cloud computing company Civo has launched a second cloud region in the UK with sustainability-focused data center provider Deep Green. Read here.

Ireland can cope with data centres and should build more. Read here.

Ferrovial taps data centre veteran to lead digital infrastructure push as CEO. Read here.


Middle East & Africa

Pure Data Centres and Dune Vaults to develop multiple hyperscale data centre campuses in Saudi Arabia. Read here.

Industry 4.0 and AI driving Hyperscale Data Center development in UAE. Read here.

Saudi Arabian data centre operator Ezditek has formed a joint venture with AI cloud infrastructure provider GCore to develop AI training models in the Kingdom. Read here.

Ezditek Breaks Ground on Data Center Facility in Riyadh. Read here.


APAC

Keppel DC REIT secures full ownership of key data centres in Singapore. Read here.

Colt Data Centre Services and RMZ announced a joint venture to invest $1.7 Billion in the Indian Data Centre market. Read here.

AirTrunk has partnered with solar developer Pekat Solar to develop a rooftop solar array at its JHB1 data center campus in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Read here.

Di Pilla’s $4b data centre play books December debut on ASX. Read here.

South Korea, India, Indonesia the next three markets for AirTrunk, says Robin Khuda. Read here.

JLL secures significant plot for digital firm in Thailand. Read here.

Fuelled by AI boom, India’s Data Centre capacity to surge 66% by 2026. Read here.

Mawson Infrastructure Group reports 222% revenue surge in digital colocation business. Read here.

CPP Investments and Pacific AMC form JV to develop data centres in South Korea. Read here.


North America

Facebook parent Meta plans $5 billion AI data center in Louisiana. Read here.

Cologix Plans $7 Billion, 800-MW Data Center Complex in Ohio. Read here.

CleanArc to develop 600MW campus in Caroline County, Virginia. Read here.

Yondr Group has launched its first data center in Northern Virginia. Read here.

Vantage is to develop a data center campus outside Reno, Nevada. Read here.

Amazon picks Sunbury as site for $2 billion data center investment. Read here.

Iron Mountain Expands Planned Data Center Capacity in Virginia by more than 350 MW. Read here.

Core Scientific and Port Muskogee Break Ground on 100 MW HPC Data Center. Read here.

Corscale topped out 72MW Gainesville Crossing facility in Northern Virginia. Read here.

US hosting firm Patmos to convert former printing press in Kansas City into 100MW data center. Read here.

Elon Musk raising up to $6 billion to buy technology for Memphis data center. Read here.

1.7 million sq ft data center proposed outside Atlanta, Georgia. Read here.

Data center development proposed in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Read here.

Colovore opens second 9MW high-density, liquid-cooled data center in Santa Clara. Read here.

Microsoft launched two data center infrastructure chips to speed AI applications. Read here.

Massive Dallas Data Center Campus to Drive $25B Market Boom by 2027. Read here.

CPS Energy to invest upwards of $1.3bn in transmission and generation to meet rapid data center growth in Texas. Read here.

Duos signs 850MW deal with Fortress to deploy fleet of mobile gas turbines for data center sector. Read here.

Rowan Digital Infrastructure has appointed Charley Daitch as CEO, effective immediately. Read here.

LogicMonitor, which optimises data centre operations through technology is targeting UK growth after securing $800 million in funding. Read here.

CETY signs MoU with Metis to develop microgrid solutions for data center and crypto market. Read here.

Crusoe, a rumored OpenAI data center supplier, has secured $686M in new funds. Read here.


Other interesting articles

The good neighbour theory: how data centres can strike a better balance between technology, community and nature. Read here.

Is Greece Ready for Energy-hungry Data Centers? Read here.

What’s El Capitan? And Other Big Data Center Questions. Read here.

Data centres could aid offshore wind development. Read here.

This hyperscale data center developer thinks about power differently. Read here.

Data center stakeholders must collaborate to meet clean energy targets. Read here.


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Building a Supportive Community for Women in Data Centres: The Story Behind the Forum  

In the fast-evolving world of data centres, diversity has long been a challenge—particularly when it comes to gender representation.

Women remain underrepresented across the industry, especially in leadership roles. Recognising this disparity, two industry leaders, Barbara Sacha and Charlotte Berry-Selwood, co-founded the Forum for Women in Data Centres to create a space where women can connect, grow, and thrive.

During a recent episode of the Inside Data Centre podcast, hosted by Andy Davis, Barbara and Charlotte shared insights into their careers and the mission behind the Forum.


From global projects to industry leadership

Barbara, a partner at engineering consultancy Cundall, started her career in building services design before transitioning to data centres over seven years ago. Her expertise in managing large-scale, complex projects positioned her to excel in this highly technical sector. What stands out for Barbara is the collaborative nature of the industry:

“Building relationships with clients and working on long-term programs is something I enjoy a lot,” she shared.

Charlotte, now VP Commercial at AVK, has spent her entire career in the data centre space. From managing projects in Australia to holding global commercial roles, she credits the industry’s rapid growth for creating opportunities for career advancement:

“I feel very lucky to have fallen into this industry. The pace and scale of change make it a fantastic place to grow.”

Both leaders are united by their passion for the sector and their commitment to making it more inclusive.


The birth of the Forum for Women in Data Centres

The idea for the Forum stemmed from a glaring need: the lack of a dedicated community for women in the data centre industry.

Despite the growth of other initiatives like iMason Women and Women’s Tech Forum, Barbara and Charlotte felt a London-centric, grassroots effort was necessary to foster connections among women in the UK and Europe.

“We wanted a community where women could meet, share experiences, and see role models who inspire them,” Barbara explained.

The Forum launched with events in May and September of this year, drawing significant interest. It provides a platform for women to network, learn from each other, and build long-term professional relationships.


Addressing the challenges

The Forum tackles several critical challenges:

Encouraging junior talent:

The Forum supports younger women entering the industry, helping them navigate their careers and encouraging them to stay in the sector.

Representation and role models:

Women in senior roles share their journeys to inspire newcomers and showcase the opportunities in data centres. Charlotte emphasised the importance of visibility: “If you can see it, you can be it.”

Education and advocacy:

Beyond networking, the Forum aims to educate male colleagues and decision-makers about the unique challenges women face.“Through education, we can make the environment better for women and drive meaningful change,” Charlotte noted.


A vision for the future

Looking ahead, Barbara and Charlotte envision the Forum as a catalyst for lasting change. They hope to:

  • Drive structural change: By engaging with C-suite leaders and decision-makers, the Forum seeks to address systemic barriers to inclusion.
  • Foster comfort and connection: Women should feel at ease at industry events, knowing there are familiar faces and allies.
  • Create networking opportunities: Strong professional networks can help women thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field.

How you can help

Barbara and Charlotte are inviting everyone—women and men alike—to support the Forum’s mission. Here’s how you can contribute:

  • Join the LinkedIn group: Stay updated on events and initiatives.
  • Advocate for diversity: Encourage your organisation to take actionable steps toward gender equity.
  • Participate in events: Whether as a speaker, attendee, or supporter, your presence matters.

As Andy Davis put it:

“The sector is ripe for positive disruption. It’s important to create these communities and drive change.”

The Forum for Women in Data Centres is not just a space for connection—it’s a movement to redefine the industry’s future. Join the conversation and be part of the change.



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Weekly Data Centre Digest – 15th November 2024

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DCC are heading to Zurich. 19th November. Dupont – Brassierie & Bar. Register here.


Reports

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Ensuring U.S. Leadership in AI: Industry Perspective on Data Center Growth. Read here.

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DTCP announced the launch of a new data center platform, GreenScale. Read here.

Aermont to buy European data centre firm Nabiax from Asterion and Telefónica. Read here.

Construction firm ACS plots 5GW data center investment strategy. Read here.

Portugal’s national grid CEO says group has 2GW of data centre capacity in the making. Read here.

EDPR is exploring locations across Spain and Portugal to build data centers powered by renewable energy. Read here.

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Digital Core REIT has announced plans to hold an EGM on December 4, 2024, to discuss its proposed acquisition of an additional interest in a data centre in Germany. Read here.

ING supports Ark Data Centres with the expansion of Union Park data centre campus. Read here.

New data centre platform EdgeNebula has launched its operations with a focus on addressing the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. Read here.

Drax Group Plc is exploring options to sell power to a data-center provider in the UK, guaranteeing income for its biomass-fired plant. Read here.

Fighting Abbots Langley (UK) data centre plan cost council £108k. Read here.

Permission for new battery plant and data centre ‘undermines Welsh planning policy’. Read here.

Pretax profits at Irish arm of data centre company Equinix more than halve. Read here.


Middle East & Africa

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Beeah and Khazna sign Sharjah data centre pact. Read here.

Ethiopian natural gas may be used to power data centres. Read here.

Teraco begins construction of 120MW Solar Plant to Power South African Data Centers. Read here.

Africa Data Centres intends to expand its presence across West and North Africa. Read here.


APAC

Australian HMC Capital to launch £2bn data centre IPO. Read here.

Amazon appears to have shelved plans for a 40MW data center in Sydney, Australia. Read here.

Malaysia’s Data Center Bet: New Planning Guidelines Set to Drive Growth. Read here.

Shanghai DC-Science Co., a leading Chinese data center developer and operator, is actively seeking a substantial private debt financing of between $600 million and $700 million. Read here.

Goodman completes third data centre building in Tsuen Wan West, Hong Kong. Read here.

Empyrion Digital Expands into Thailand with a New Data Center. Read here.

State-owned Telecommunications Consultants India Limited has started work on a $70m Indian Coast Guard’s data center in Mahipalpur, New Delhi. Read here.

Nxtra planning 200 MW data center in Hyderabad. Read here.

STT GDC has broken ground on two facilities in Mumbai, India. Read here.

Tencent Holdings is set to invest $500 million as part of plans to develop a third data center in Indonesia. Read here.

Chinese data center firm Zdata eyes Hong Kong IPO. Read here.


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Bloom Energy has signed a supply agreement with American Electric Power for up to 1GW of its products, the largest commercial procurement of fuel cells in the world to date. Read here.

Meta launched it’s Gallatin Campus. Read here.

Prime Data Centers today announced the opening of its Los Angeles Data Center. Read here.

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Turner to build $2bn Ohio Vantage Data Centers campus. Read here.

Stack Infrastructure has filed to build two more data centers outside Atlanta, Georgia. Read here.

Patmos to convert Kansas City Star building into a state-of-the-art 100 MW data center. Read here.

Balico LLC is revising plans to develop a 300MW Data Center campus in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Read here.

California utility Pacific Gas and Electric Company is to develop three data centers in San Jose totaling 200MW. Read here.

Amazon buys 350-acre parcel in Becker, Minnesota, for data center. Read here.

Stillwater residents vote to approve Data Center Project. Read here.

Ark has broken ground on Green Bay data center expansion in Wisconsin. Read here.

Wichita Falls council approves land rezoning for 300MW data center in Texas. Read here.

Amazon has purchased 348 acres of land in Becker, Minnesota, for a data center project. Read here.

A 900-acre data center campus outside Atlanta, Georgia, has been granted zoning permission. Read here.

Sharon AI plots 90MW natural gas-powered data center in New Mexico. Read here.

Logistix gets planning commission approval for data center project outside Cincinnati, Ohio. Read here.

Talen eyes options for Amazon data center after regulator rejection. Read here.

Canadian power generator TransAlta is in talks with major data center operators interested in building sites in Alberta, Canada. Read here.


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Brazil’s Modular Data Centers mulls expansion. Read here.


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