Townsend Group invests in CleanArc Data Centers

CleanArc Data Centers, a developer and operator of renewables-focused hyperscale data centre campuses, announced today that Townsend Group, an advisor and partner to institutional investors globally, has made a strategic investment in the company. The investment was led by Townsend, which advises a consortium of global investors, including some of the largest sovereign and pension plans pursuing strategic stakes in leading investment and operating platforms. This new partnership further supports CleanArc’s growth initiatives as it continues developing its first data centre campus in Virginia, set to deliver 300 MW of capacity by Q1 2027. “We’re excited to welcome Townsend as a strategic investment partner,” says James Trout, Founder and CEO of CleanArc. “Their capital markets expertise, institutional knowledge, and private real assets scale will be instrumental as we execute on our mission to develop the data centres of the future, particularly our inaugural campus in Virginia, VA1. Townsend brings a demonstrated track record of supporting transformative businesses throughout their growth journeys. And with Snowhawk’s ongoing investment leadership, we’re well-equipped to continue tackling the growing data centre challenges faced by hyperscalers.” “CleanArc’s strong team of industry veterans and their shrewd approach to site selection, development and power structuring really sets them apart,” adds Anthony Frammartino, CEO and Chairman, at Townsend. “We’re excited to support the company’s continued development of leading data centre campuses across Tier 1 markets.” Snowhawk LP will remain the majority stakeholder in CleanArc as the company continues to solidify partnerships with hyperscale customers and expand infrastructure in key markets. “Snowhawk is delighted to partner with Townsend on this strategic investment in CleanArc, further accelerating innovation and the development of capacity to support the next generation of AI and cloud capabilities,” remarks Brian McMullen, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Snowhawk Partners. “CleanArc continues to set new standards in future-focused data centre development,” concludes Greg Stamas, Managing Director at Snowhawk. “In partnership with Townsend and our other investors, we are excited to support CleanArc’s continued leadership in sustainability and renewable energy use.” For more from CleanArc Data Centers, click here.

Fluidstack selects VAST Data to power AI workloads

VAST Data, an AI data platform company, today announced that Fluidstack, the AI cloud platform, has selected the VAST Data Platform to join other partners in helping to power large-scale, high-performance AI workloads for Fluidstack’s global customer base. With VAST, Fluidstack can deliver enterprise-grade stability, security, and innovation for some of the most demanding AI training environments in the world. Fluidstack has built its business by managing end-customer workloads on third-party compute capacity – from VAST-powered AI cloud service provider customers to building dedicated GPU clusters on behalf of clients. Pushing the boundaries of what managed services can offer, Fluidstack uses a flexible problem-solving approach to help end customers manage and scale their workloads with unmatched reliability and agility. Our mission at Fluidstack is to take the complexity out of deploying and scaling AI infrastructure for our customers,” says César Maklary, President & Co-Founder of Fluidstack. “VAST’s platform gives us the advanced enterprise capabilities we need to deliver reliable, scalable, secure, and future-proof AI infrastructure for our customers as they build cutting-edge models to further AI adoption. The VAST Data Platform provides Fluidstack’s end customers with: • Reliable, secure data management: VAST’s enterprise-grade stability, multi-tenant security, and reliability were critical in supporting the demanding AI workloads that Fluidstack manages for customers, while the VAST DataStore’s multi-protocol support (S3, NFS, SMB) offered seamless interoperability for diverse application needs.• Future-proof AI infrastructure: To further support Fluidstack in building, operating, and managing AI infrastructure and workloads for customers, the VAST DataEngine provides integrated vector search capabilities, automated triggers, and intelligent data processing functions designed for large-scale model training and inference. Combined with the real-time data awareness and scalable semantic indexing of the VAST InsightEngine, Fluidstack is well-positioned to deliver increasingly intelligent, responsive, and globally efficient AI infrastructure services.• Fast access to distributed data at limitless scale: The VAST Data Platform’s unique Disaggregated Shared-Everything (DASE) architecture ensures these deployments can reach exabyte scale while remaining cost-efficient—helping Fluidstack empower organisations to use distributed datasets and enable globally-synchronised model training.• Bringing structure to unstructured data: The VAST DataBase serves as a transactional data lakehouse that supports trillions of vectors, allowing Fluidstack customers to index the entirety of their distributed data corpus for AI deployments - providing real-time data access for efficient querying, analysis, and retrieval of massive datasets. Fluidstack’s innovative approach to AI infrastructure delivery requires a data platform that can operate globally, securely, and with the performance to match cutting-edge AI workloads,” says Renen Hallak, Founder & CEO of VAST Data. “Together with Fluidstack, we’re helping customers turn visionary projects into reality. The combination of Fluidstack’s dynamic managed services with VAST’s global data fabric and advanced enterprise features is unlocking new possibilities for AI model training and development at scale. For more from VAST Data, click here.

Data centre demand to drive decentralised energy uptake

Following the news that global electricity demand from data centres will more than double by 2030, Aggreko is encouraging operators to navigate inevitable grid strain by adopting scalable decentralised energy solutions and leveraging third-party expertise within the supply chain. A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has revealed that by the close of the decade, data centres could consume 945TWh of electricity each year – three times more than current demand for the entire UK. The rise in demand, primarily driven by the rapid adoption of AI, is set to place further pressure on European power grid capacity. This has prompted data centre owners and managers to reassess strategies to ensure cost efficiency, resilience and operational stability. With countries across the continent already experiencing major grid connection delays, Aggreko believes that decentralised energy provision could be a potential solution. In its latest whitepaper, Bridging the Energy Gap for European Data Centres, Aggreko reveals how on-site power generation can overcome delays and accelerate decarbonisation efforts. The challenge of procuring suitable equipment, however, may discourage companies from investing in permanent solutions. Billy Durie, Global Sector Head for Data Centres at Aggreko, says, “Grid connection delays are now a common concern in both Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets, with demand consistently outweighing supply. Without a solution, projects across Europe risk stalling, which can in turn lead to fines, reputational damage and a host of operational issues. “Decentralised energy provisions are already proving key to overcoming delays, but specifying the correct equipment, such as Stage V generators and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) presents several additional obstacles. As high energy prices, for instance, continue to strain the industry, inefficient utility equipment will further harm financial bottom lines.” To overcome these challenges, Aggreko is advising data centre operators to leverage third-party expertise within the supply chain to stay clued up on the latest developments and adaptable to evolving requirements in the industry. It is important that suppliers can rapidly deploy the latest energy-efficient and scalable technologies on a hire basis to meet urgent site needs. In addition to this, advanced energy management systems can provide real-time monitoring and optimisation of energy usage, alongside the use of predictive analytics to further empower operators to make informed decisions around equipment procurement. Billy continues, “Integrating these solutions from the design phase through to full operation enables stakeholders to avoid potential disruptions while enhancing site resilience. Decision-makers are recommended to consider the long-term strategic benefits of decentralised energy equipment here, especially given the overarching pressure to decarbonise grids. “With the AI revolution taking centre stage, the industry must avoid reversing progress made in recent years towards the clean energy transition. As a result, collaboration in this area will be essential if stakeholders are to remain on track with net zero decarbonisation targets while navigating grid strain and connection challenges.” “By sharing expertise and resources, operators and utility solution providers can uncover solutions to the pressures affecting the European data centre market. Embracing these strategies can ensure a sustainable, resilient and profitable future.” Read Aggreko’s latest whitepaper, Bridging the Energy Gap for European Data Centres, by clicking here. For more from Aggreko, click here.

Colt announces sale of eight European data centres

Colt Technology Services (Colt), a global digital infrastructure company, today announced the divestment of six of its data centres in major cities across Europe to data centre provider NorthC, headquartered in the Netherlands and majority-owned by funds managed by DWS Group. Colt will also divest two of its data centres in London to a UK-based data centre business, also owned by funds which are managed by DWS Group. The sale expands NorthC’s European data centre footprint and enables Colt to focus on its core business strategy, delivering sustainable digital infrastructure to drive customers’ success and power the AI economy. The divestment is expected to complete later this year. The eight city centre data centres included in this divestment are located in Amsterdam, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and two in London. The data centres were part of the assets Colt gained with its acquisition of Lumen EMEA in 2023. The colocation business of approximately 400 customers will transfer from Colt as part of the divestment. The majority of these customers also purchase network products from Colt and will remain Colt customers. Colt will enter into a partnership with NorthC and will retain network equipment in the divested data centres as part of its global digital infrastructure, which connects 32,000 buildings, spans over 40 countries, reaches more than 275 Points of Presence (PoPs) and includes 10 subsea cable systems. Colt also co-manages AS3356, the most widely-peered internet network in the world. NorthC is an independent provider of regional data centres in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland and distinguishes itself through its strong local presence in the various regions, high-quality data centre services and connectivity solutions for businesses, IT and managed cloud service providers, institutions and government organisations. Keri Gilder, CEO, Colt Technology Services, says, “We’re pleased to have entered into this agreement to divest our data centres to NorthC and to the funds managed by DWS Group. The sale will enable us to focus on our strategic imperatives of driving growth, delivering exceptional customer experience and building a sustainable network for the future.” The envisaged transaction is subject to customary conditions. For more from Colt Technology Services, click here.

Reliable LED lighting supporting critical operations

NVC Lighting, a manufacturer of LED lighting products based in Birmingham, believes that reliable lighting is essential for data centres operating 24/7. The company's high-efficiency, low-glare LED solutions support visibility, safety, and energy efficiency across all operational zones. In server rooms, NVC's lighting ensures clarity and reduces error risk, while in control rooms, task-specific designs aid precise monitoring. For common areas, NVC provides uniform, low-maintenance illumination that enhances safety and navigation. Even in specialised spaces like sports halls, its durable lighting supports visibility and comfort. NVC's energy-efficient LEDs reduce power consumption and offer long lifespans, delivering quick payback and long-term cost savings. Plus, sustainability is built-in, with its Broadway series designed with recyclability in mind. To further support compliance and reduce maintenance workload, NVC's emergency lighting includes self-test features, offering peace of mind and enhanced safety. With tailored solutions and expert support, NVC Lighting ensures data centres stay illuminated, efficient, and future-ready. For more from NVC Lighting, click here.

nLighten and Shell Spain announce data centre partnership

nLighten has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and supply deal with Shell Spain, which began on 1 April 2025. This collaboration will allow nLighten’s edge data centre in Madrid to be powered by Shell’s solar and wind portfolio in Spain, prioritising solar generation. The agreement goes beyond traditional renewable energy contracts by providing nLighten with transparency into the actual renewable energy supply received, rather than relying solely on financial credits such as Guarantees of Origin (GoOs). Through this agreement, Shell will supply renewable capacity to nLighten, supporting the data centre’s efforts to optimise its Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) score, while maintaining the flexibility to scale based on real-time supply and demand. During periods of lower renewable generation, Shell will manage the remaining energy supply to ensure uninterrupted operations. This approach guarantees energy reliability, while reinforcing nLighten's commitment to a more sustainable digital infrastructure. "This agreement is a game-changer for how data centres in Spain – and beyond – can be powered by renewables," says Chad McCarthy, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of nLighten. "By securing direct access to solar and wind energy, we’re not just reducing our carbon footprint but proving that sustainability and business performance go hand in hand. This supply agreement with Shell is important in building a resilient and future-proof energy model for digital infrastructure." In addition to environmental benefits, this agreement highlights the economic advantages of renewable energy integration. As energy markets continue to evolve, the ability to integrate renewables into data centre operations positions nLighten at the forefront of both sustainability and cost-efficiency efforts. "We are excited to partner with nLighten to advance the integration of renewable energy in data centres," says Óscar Fernández, Shell Spain Country Chair. "By integrating lower-carbon sources into the grid, providing flexibility options and offering tailored energy solutions, we can support the growing demands of data centres. Strategic collaborations between digital infrastructure companies and energy suppliers allows to leverage each other's strengths, helping scale solutions quickly and effectively to ensure a sustainable energy supply." nLighten says that the partnership is a significant step in its journey to redefine the energy model for European data centres. By collaborating with organisations like Shell, nLighten demonstrates the industry’s continuous transition to a cleaner energy model. For more from nLighten, click here.

Vertiv announces launch of prefabricated infrastructure portfolio

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced the launch of Vertiv SmartRun. Vertiv SmartRun is a modular prefabricated overhead infrastructure system designed to integrate high-density power distribution busbar, liquid cooling piping network, hot-aisle containment, and network infrastructure into a single, scalable solution, supporting an accelerated data centre fit-out. This all-in-one solution is designed to reduce complexity and accelerate deployment times of cloud and AI training applications for greenfield and retrofit colocation and hyperscale data centres. Deploying Vertiv SmartRun delivers significant advantages in scalability and efficiency, Vertiv states, providing end-to-end speed and adaptable configurations to meet various design requirements. With prefabricated assembly, plug-and-play design, and a simplified one-lift installation process, Vertiv SmartRun can deploy up to 85% faster on-site than traditional stick-build methods, enabling data centre installations greater than 1MW per day with just a single crew. The pre-designed system reduces labour needs for engineering review and installation of busway, piping, network cabling, and hot-aisle containment systems, offering a streamlined approach to integrating overhead infrastructure. The system also addresses the whitespace challenges of incorporating new heat removal technologies into AI data centres, by integrating a secondary fluid network into the Vertiv SmartRun design. Prefabricated stainless steel piping systems mitigate complexity of design, fabrication, and start-up, providing a single source for end-to-end data centre liquid cooling support. “As digital infrastructure demands evolve, organisations require solutions that accelerate growth without adding complexity,” says Viktor Petik, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions at Vertiv. “Vertiv SmartRun is a strategic investment in high-density, prefabricated infrastructure that brings operational agility and enables seamless expansion to support the future of high-density computing.” Vertiv SmartRun is backed by Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services and Vertiv Services, a global network of trained experts available to provide comprehensive support for the installation, maintenance, and optimisation of liquid cooled infrastructure, supporting efficient thermal management and long-term reliability in high-density environments. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Nokia networking backbone to connect Australia data centres

Nokia has been selected by Australian cloud provider, ResetData, to supply a networking backbone that supports its immediate rollout of sovereign ‘AI Factory’ data centres across the continent. The Nokia IP solution will deliver the speed, scale and reliability required for lossless, low-latency performance as ResetData targets an Australian cloud services market that in 2024 saw a 19% year on year increase. Sovereign AI ensures systems and data stay within a country's jurisdiction, promoting national security and compliance with domestic laws and regulations. ResetData’s AI factories with liquid immersion cooling are up to 10 times as efficient as legacy designs and can cut cloud costs by 40% and emissions by 45% to deliver more sustainable AI cloud operations. Backed by Australasian real estate fund manager, Centuria Capital Group, ResetData will deploy the Nokia 7750 Service Router in commercial properties nationwide as part of a series of highly efficient and sustainable liquid immersion cooled AI factories, commencing in Melbourne’s CBD. While addressing precision timing and other key requirements that are fundamental to the performance of AI infrastructure, the FP5-based Nokia IP platform provides super-fast, reliable and highly secure performance at scale. In doing so, Nokia’s approach will reportedly revolutionise data centre operations by delivering a 75% reduction in energy consumption over previous generations. Functioning as a data centre gateway to front-end ResetData’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) clusters, the FP5-based Nokia 7750 SR-1x enables connectivity between data centres and to the Internet with massive routing scale, reaching speeds of up to 800Gb/s. Karl Kloppenborg, Chief Technology Officer at ResetData, comments, “We are moving quickly because sovereign AI is critical to Australia’s international competitiveness. Together with the ResetData AI Marketplace, our rollout is delivering critical AI, machine learning and large language model capabilities on-shore and on-demand for the first time. To make it happen, we needed a partner as committed to sustainability as we are, with local resourcing and global reach, who could meet a demanding timeline, scale from single GPUs to entire AI Factories, and replicate Melbourne’s launch nationally. Nokia has been a core partner at every step.” Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IP Networks at Nokia, adds, “As dynamic new-generation cloud builders like ResetData seize the opportunities that artificial intelligence generates, Nokia is ready with an IP portfolio primed for the stringent and exacting data demands of AI infrastructure. Combining speed, capacity and reliability with cost-efficiency and sustainability, Nokia IP is a top choice for the world’s most modern and secure data centres. We are pleased to partner with ResetData as they deliver Australia’s first sovereign AI at scale.” For more from Nokia, click here.

Infosecurity Europe launches new cyber security masterclasses

Infosecurity Europe has announced the launch of ‘Infosecurity Europe Masterclasses, powered by SANS Institute’, an exclusive new training initiative designed to equip cybersecurity professionals with hands-on, practical skills.  Developed for Infosecurity Europe 2025, the Masterclasses will offer three deep-dive sessions covering Digital Forensics, Cloud Security and Security Culture. Each masterclass will be delivered by a SANS-certified instructor and will take place in the South Gallery Rooms at ExCeL London during the event. The Digital Forensics and Cloud Security Masterclasses will be held on Tuesday 3 June, with the Security Culture Masterclass on Wednesday 4 June.  Introducing these masterclasses highlights the growing demand for specialised training as organisations contend with an increasingly complex threat landscape. Infosecurity Europe has long been a hub for industry leaders to share knowledge, explore innovative solutions, and foster collaboration. The partnership with SANS Institute builds on this and enhances the event's educational offering.  "Partnering with Infosecurity Europe and bringing hands-on masterclasses to this year’s event is a pivotal moment to elevate security readiness across the UK and Europe,” says John Davis, UK Director, SANS Institute. “This collaboration will support cyber security professionals with the practical skills they need to stay ahead of emerging threats. Continuous learning is essential in an industry that evolves at such a rapid pace, and by providing hands-on, immersive experiences, we are ensuring that security practitioners can apply cutting-edge techniques in real-world scenarios to make an immediate impact within their organisations," The masterclasses are designed to deliver practical, actionable insights and are tailored to help cyber security professionals tackle modern challenges head-on. The Digital Forensics Masterclass will be led by SANS Certified Instructor Kathryn Hedley and will provide practical experience in decoding file signatures, data recovery techniques and forensic disk image exploration. Attendees will learn how to extract and interpret critical digital evidence across platforms, equipping them with the skills to handle complex forensic investigations. This session aligns closely with industry demand, as over 50% of organisations plan to increase investment in incident response and forensics according to Infosecurity Europe’s 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report. With 65% of cyber security leaders also planning an increase in cloud security investment, the Cloud Security Masterclass is key to guiding participants through advanced cloud security practices. Hosted by SANS Certified Instructor Simon Vernon, topics will include securing logging setups in Azure and preventing remote code execution.   On day two, the Security Culture Masterclass will be fronted by SANS Certified Instructor John Scott and will directly address key challenges faced by organisations. Infosecurity Europe’s report shows respondents citing lack of accountability and identifying communication gaps between departments as major obstacles to building a strong cyber security culture. This interactive session will address these challenges and more with a focus on embedding a resilient security culture within organisations.  Participants will engage in the Cyber42 Game Day simulation, where they will navigate real-world decision-making scenarios to strengthen their leadership and cultural impact. 

DataVita earns UK's first 'gold standard' OCP status

DataVita has become the first data centre operator in the UK to achieve an industry-leading accreditation - Open Compute Project’s (OCP) Ready for Hyperscale certification - recognising the capabilities of its DV1 facility in supporting high-density workloads and AI. So far, this certification has only been awarded to three other companies in Europe and is one of the sector’s most recognised and sought-after accreditations. The initiative is designed to give recognition to multi-tenant data centres that can accommodate the larger scale, higher density and more advanced infrastructure requirements of hyperscale operations – including the ability to provide liquid cooling. A rigorous assessment included elements such as logistics, site access, foundational building infrastructure and network connectivity, as well as DataVita’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and sustainability at its DV1 facility located in Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire. Underpinned by its focus on infrastructure for high-performance computing (HPC) and AI, the company recently announced plans to grow data centre capacity to 1GW in central Scotland over the next five years, powered by independent renewable energy sources. Danny Quinn, Managing Director of DataVita, says, “Achieving what is widely considered one of the gold standards in industry accreditations solidifies our position as a market-leader and confirms the expertise we have for handling high-density levels of computing. AI has huge growth potential for the future and has quickly become a core focus for the business, and we have invested heavily in making sure we can support the infrastructure that it requires. “Scotland’s mix of renewable energy – with the lowest carbon intensity compared to anywhere else in the UK – and a naturally cooler climate means we can also offer significant sustainability benefits for global customers. Only a few facilities have liquid cooling capability, for example, but we can do it with a lower carbon footprint. “Our goal is to ensure that AI adoption does not come at the expense of the environment. The OCP status reflects that, and we hope it will open up new conversations with existing and potential clients considering locating in Scotland.”