Data Centres APPG launches UK growth inquiry

The Data Centres All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has launched a parliamentary inquiry to examine whether the UK's policy and regulatory framework is supporting the future growth and international competitiveness of the data centre sector. Titled Unlocking the UK's Data Centre Growth Opportunity, the inquiry will gather evidence from across the industry before publishing policy recommendations in December 2026. Written submissions are being invited from data centre operators and developers, investors, technology companies, utilities, combined authorities, regulators, academic institutions, and organisations representing environmental and community interests. Evidence must be submitted by 17:00 on 25 September 2026. Inquiry to examine key growth challenges The inquiry will include three oral evidence sessions between September and November, focusing on energy infrastructure and international competitiveness, investment and planning, and innovation and sustainability. It will also consider skills, workforce development, and the UK's long-term policy direction. Chris Curtis MP, Chair of the Data Centres APPG, comments, "Data centres are fast becoming some of the most significant infrastructure investments in the country and, with the right approach, they can deliver good growth, good jobs, good skills, and lasting economic and social benefit in the communities that host them. "This inquiry is about making sure that as the sector expands, it does so in a way that spreads opportunity across every region of the UK, not just where investment already concentrates. I'd encourage anyone with a stake in this agenda to submit evidence and help us build the case for growth that works for everyone." Alison Griffiths MP, Vice Chair of the Data Centres APPG, adds, "Data centres sit at the intersection of our national security, economic future, and environmental responsibilities. As demand for cloud computing and AI grows, communities are rightly concerned about the land, energy, and water they use. "As Vice Chair of the Data Centres APPG [...] and as a member of the Environmental Audit Committee, I want this inquiry to challenge operators to go beyond business as usual, improve their environmental performance, and demonstrate lasting value to the communities hosting them." David Reed MP, Officer of the Data Centres APPG, says, "The UK has a real opportunity to lead the world in data centre investment, but we should be under no illusion: other markets are competing hard for the same capital, the same skills, and the same technology. "This inquiry will look squarely at how the UK stacks up internationally, what's holding us back, and what reforms are needed to keep Britain at the front of the pack. I want this group to make the practical, evidence-led case for the policy changes that will secure our competitive standing for the next decade." The Rt Hon. Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Officer of the Data Centres APPG, notes, "We cannot talk about data centre growth without talking honestly about energy, water, and sustainability. The sector's expansion will place real demands on our grid and our natural resources. This inquiry is an opportunity to hear from those developing the solutions, and to ensure sustainability isn't an afterthought but a condition of good growth." For more from the Data Centres APPG, click here.

Veolia to operate 350MW data centre microgrid

Veolia, a French multinational environmental services company, has been selected to operate and maintain a 350MW microgrid that will supply power to an AI data centre campus in Ohio, USA. The project will operate independently of the public electricity grid, providing all of the site's power through a combination of on-site generation and battery energy storage. Veolia says the development is intended to help meet growing demand for AI infrastructure whilst reducing pressure on local electricity networks. The contract forms part of the company's 'Data Center Resource 360' offering, which focuses on supporting the operation of data centres through energy, water, and waste management services. The Ohio microgrid will combine gas engines, linear generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and medium-voltage infrastructure into a single energy platform. Veolia will be responsible for operations integration, commissioning support, and the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility under a performance-based contract. The company says it joined the project before commercial operations began to support commissioning, develop operating procedures, and coordinate work between contractors and equipment manufacturers. According to Veolia, the facility has a target availability of 99.9% and will require a dedicated on-site workforce of between 35 and 40 full-time personnel. Grid-independent power for AI infrastructure Karin Hamel, CEO of Veolia Energy North America and Chief Growth Officer for Veolia in North America, comments, "Our work on this project shows how Veolia can help developers accelerate speed-to-power while maintaining the reliability required for mission-critical AI operations, all while protecting the community. "As developers deploy microgrids and other advanced energy systems to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure, they need trusted partners with the expertise to operate these assets safely, reliably, and at scale. "Veolia helps reduce operational risk, improve performance, and provide environmental security for customers and the communities they serve, supporting the responsible growth of AI while delivering reliable and sustainable infrastructure solutions." The company says the microgrid will have 350MW of generation capacity and incorporate a 430MWh battery energy storage system. For more from Veolia, click here.

Secure I.T. completes UPS and AHU upgrades for NHS

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has completed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and air handling unit (AHU) upgrades at two live data centres operated by an unnamed NHS Foundation Trust. The projects were carried out while both facilities remained operational and were designed to improve resilience, energy efficiency, and future scalability for the Trust's critical digital infrastructure. The UPS upgrade replaced two end-of-life systems with modular Riello Multi Power infrastructure. SITE installed two 252kVA UPS chassis, each configured at 84kVA N+1 using 42kW power modules. The modular design allows additional capacity to be added in the future without replacing the entire platform. Cooling upgrade improves efficiency The second project involved replacing ageing AHUs at a data centre originally designed and built by SITE during the 2000s. The facility supports a hospital with more than 800 beds, outpatient services, and one of the South East's busiest emergency departments. As part of the works, the existing condenser compound was decommissioned and replaced with a new ground-level installation designed to improve heat rejection performance. The upgraded FläktGroup AHUs were specified to maintain environmental conditions during higher ambient temperatures, whilst also incorporating physical security measures and remote monitoring capabilities. According to SITE, the new cooling equipment is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 58,000kg annually and deliver energy cost savings of approximately £32,305 per year, with a projected return on investment of just over three years. Working around ongoing operations The projects were delivered in carefully planned phases to minimise disruption to hospital operations. The UPS systems were replaced one at a time over two weekend shutdowns, with construction work for the cooling upgrade being scheduled to reduce the impact on visitors and nearby clinical services. A spokesperson for the Trust comments, "This was a big and critically important project for the hospital, carried out smoothly by Secure I.T. Environments. We were really grateful for the work and professionalism of the team, and its partners Riello, throughout the project." The UPS project also included new underfloor containment and cabling, DC transition boxes, integration with the existing battery strings following testing, remote monitoring, commissioning, load bank testing, and operational training for estates engineers. Jo-Anne Garvie, Commercial Director at Secure I.T. Environments, says, "In hospital environments, the resilience of supporting infrastructure has to be treated with the same discipline as the IT systems it protects. "These projects have resulted in a more flexible and maintainable power platform and energy-efficient cooling infrastructure. Together, they support the Trust's current operational needs and give it a clear path for future expansion." For more from SITE, click here.

DE-CIX, MASS-IX expand US Northeast interconnection

Internet exchange (IX) operators DE-CIX and MASS-IX have partnered to provide direct interconnection between New England and New York, enabling networks connected to MASS-IX to access DE-CIX New York through a single-hop connection. The agreement makes MASS-IX an IX Turnkey Connectivity Partner, allowing customers to connect with networks in New York without purchasing separate transport services or remote cross-connects. According to the companies, the partnership is intended to improve latency for networks in the US Northeast whilst also providing access to DE-CIX's wider interconnection ecosystem across North America and internationally. The first network to use the new service is TOWARDEX, which is already exchanging traffic with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. Partnership extends regional connectivity MASS-IX connects more than 70 networks across 12 data centres in the Boston metropolitan area, with close to 3Tbps of connected capacity and peak traffic exceeding 300Gbps. By linking directly to DE-CIX New York, MASS-IX customers gain access to one of the largest interconnection ecosystems in the region, including networks not currently available within New England. Ed d'Agostino, Vice President at DE-CIX North America, comments, "DE-CIX is proud to be partnering MASS-IX, bringing together two neutral and high-performance internet exchanges for the betterment of both parties. "New York represents the lowest-latency location for New England networks to reach non-local networks, and this interconnection makes this possible and easy to implement. "The community in Massachusetts and all of New England will be able to improve performance and latency to content by peering with networks connected to DE-CIX New York. This is an excellent example of how DE-CIX works with neutral IXs to improve the internet in the US and help others better serve their markets." James Jun, Director at MASS-IX, adds, "MASS-IX was founded on a mission to improve performance and reduce the cost of network interconnections throughout Massachusetts. By partnering with DE-CIX, we are providing a new additional turnkey avenue for peering and internet interconnections for ISPs and internet networks throughout New England. "We're excited to partner with DE-CIX to bring leading, world-class peering capabilities and interconnection ecosystems to Massachusetts." DE-CIX New York currently connects more than 260 networks across over 40 data centres and forms part of the company's wider interconnection platform spanning North America, Europe, and South America. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Greenergy Data Centers secures new investor

Colocation and data hosting facility Greenergy Data Centers has welcomed Tensor Estate as a minority shareholder following an investment in MCF Group Estonia, the company that owns and operates the Baltic data centre. MCF Group Estonia is majority owned by the Three Seas Initiative Investment Fund (3SIIF), which says the investment will provide expansion capital to support the continued growth of the facility in response to increasing demand for AI infrastructure. Greenergy Data Centers was 3SIIF's first digital infrastructure investment and is one of the largest data centres in the Baltic region. Cameron Cook, Senior Investment Director at Amber Infrastructure, investment advisor to 3SIIF, comments, "We welcome Tensor Estate as a new shareholder in MCF Group Estonia. "As the majority shareholder, 3SIIF remains fully committed to supporting the continued development of Greenergy Data Centers. The ongoing expansion of the data centre in response to unprecedented demand from the artificial intelligence market is underway, and we look forward to the full commercialisation of this strategically important digital infrastructure asset." Investment to support future expansion According to the companies, the investment is intended to support Greenergy Data Centers' long-term expansion plans as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. Kert Evert, CEO of MCF Group Estonia, says, "We have been developing the infrastructure for years with a long-term perspective. Tensor joining us supports our long-term growth objectives." Miko Niinemäe, Co-founder of Tensor Estate, notes, "Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping digital infrastructure requirements worldwide. Developing projects of this scale takes years and requires close cooperation between infrastructure owners, energy companies, engineering partners, and global technology companies." Valdur Laid, Member of the Management Board of UG Investments, who co-financed the transaction, adds, "MCF [is providing] a solid foundation for its next stage of development. We are committed to supporting that growth as a long-term partner." As part of the transaction, representatives from 3SIIF and Tensor Estate have formed a joint supervisory board as the company's existing management team will continue to oversee day-to-day operations.

Quantum chip concept aims to improve scalability

Researchers at The University of Warwick and Canada's National Research Council (NRC) have proposed a new chip architecture that could address one of the main barriers to scaling quantum computers by enabling communication between qubits over much greater distances. Published in APL Quantum, the research introduces the concept of Quantum Phononic Links (QPLs), which use sound-like vibrations, known as phonons, to transfer quantum information between qubits located across a semiconductor chip. The researchers say the approach could help overcome a limitation of current quantum chips, where qubits typically communicate only with neighbouring qubits, as future large-scale quantum computers are expected to require communication between millions of qubits distributed across an entire chip. Maksym Myronov, Department of Physics at The University of Warwick, says, "One of the key challenges in quantum computing is long-range qubit connectivity. Our work introduces a new concept in which phonons act as a quantum bus, enabling distant qubits to exchange quantum information while remaining fully compatible with semiconductor technology." New material supports long-range qubit communication The proposed architecture is based on compressively strained germanium on silicon (cs-GoS), a material developed at The University of Warwick using epitaxial growth techniques. According to the researchers, qubits within the material are highly sensitive to vibrations travelling through the germanium layer. By controlling these vibrations, quantum information could, in principle, be transferred between qubits positioned either adjacent to one another or separated across semiconductor chips measuring up to 300mm in diameter. The team says this differs from other approaches that rely on microwaves or externally generated surface acoustic waves, which typically require additional hardware and more complex chip designs. Instead, QPLs are integrated directly into the semiconductor material hosting the qubits. The researchers suggest that compatibility with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes could support the development of more scalable quantum processors in the future.

Leviton expands UK fibre production capacity

Leviton Network Solutions, a manufacturer of cabling, fibre, and connectivity products for data centres and enterprise networks, has expanded production of its high-fibre-count cable assemblies at its UK manufacturing facility, increasing capacity to support data centre deployments and growing demand for optical infrastructure. The company says more than 100 configuration options are now available through its SJX fibre trunk range, part of the STRATA and OPT-X Global Fiber Systems portfolio. Production at its UK Data Center Factory complements existing manufacturing capacity in the USA. According to Leviton, the expansion is intended to improve supply resilience and reduce lead times for data centre projects, particularly those supporting AI, hyperscale, and cloud environments. Eddie McGinley, Senior Director of Product Management at Leviton, says, "Our enhanced fibre production arrives at a critical time. Operators are under immense pressure to scale optical infrastructure quickly, with the added weight of navigating global supply challenges. This means they need partners they can trust and who will deliver against their commitments." UK investment increases manufacturing capacity The production expansion forms part of wider investment in Leviton's UK facility and includes upgrades to cable, cassette, and fibre assembly manufacturing. The company says the investment includes production of more than 100 OPT-X SJX cable and trunk configurations in both the UK and USA, new UK production of OPT-X HDX fibre cassettes, and the completion of an expansion of its UK Data Center Factory. Leviton adds that manufacturing in both regions provides customers with additional sourcing options, improved supply continuity, and support for projects requiring dual-rated LSZH CPR B2ca/Riser cable constructions. The expanded portfolio also supports Base-8, Base-12, and Base-16 configurations, alongside loose-tube fibre designs intended for high-density network architectures used in AI clusters, cloud deployments, and colocation data centres. Eddie continues, "By expanding manufacturing in our UK facility and strengthening multi-region production, we're giving customers the speed and assurance they need to keep projects on track and meet aggressive build schedules." The new configuration options are available immediately through Leviton's global sales channels and distribution partners.

Croatia approves power infrastructure for 1GW AI data centre

Croatia's national transmission system operator, HOPS, has approved the power infrastructure blueprint for data centre developer Pantheon AI's planned 1GW hyperscale AI campus in Topusko, marking a key milestone for the project. The approval confirms the technical and regulatory feasibility of supplying electricity to the proposed facility and supports plans for construction to begin in early 2027. As part of the proposal, more than €500 million (£427 million) of electricity transmission infrastructure will be developed, including 280km of new transmission lines, fibre-optic networks, a 400kV substation in Topusko, and associated road infrastructure. According to Pantheon AI, the completed infrastructure will be transferred to the Republic of Croatia for long-term ownership and operation. Grid investment to support renewable energy growth The company says the planned infrastructure will also enable access to more than 5GW of renewable energy capacity that is currently constrained by limitations within the national electricity grid. Pantheon AI also explains that the planned 310-acre hyperscale AI data centre has been designed to NVIDIA's 'GW-Scale AI Factory' standards. Mario Gudelj, Project Director at Pantheon AI, comments, "Croatia's largest-ever private investment is moving forward as a direct result of momentum from the unique partnership driving this project: Croatian expertise, US capital, world-class partners in Končar and Greenvolt, and continued support from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia and HEP (a state-owned utility company)." The project team includes Končar Group, Dalekovod Projekt, Parsec Lab, Latham & Watkins, Hodgson Russ, PwC, KPMG, and EU Energy Group. Sisak-Moslavina County has also formally recognised the development as being of special regional importance. For more from Pantheon AI, click here.

Indian data centre capacity forecast to reach 12GW

India's operational data centre capacity is forecast to grow from 2.2GW in 2025 to 12GW by 2030, according to a new report from global research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie, highlighting continued investment driven by AI, cloud computing, and the country's expanding digital economy. The report, India's Data Centre Landscape: Powering the Digital Economy, predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 40% over the five-year period. It also forecasts that AI-dedicated capacity will increase from 275MW in 2025 to 6,546MW by 2030. Wood Mackenzie says rising demand from hyperscale cloud providers, enterprise digitalisation, and AI workloads is underpinning the rapid expansion of the sector. Power availability shapes future investment India's digital economy, valued at ₹32 trillion (£250 billion) in 2025, is contributing to increased demand for digital infrastructure. According to the research, the country has more than 1.03 billion active internet users and processes around 22 billion UPI transactions each month. The report forecasts that data centre electricity demand will increase from 10TWh in 2025 to around 20 times that level by 2040, accounting for approximately 7% of the country's total electricity demand. Whilst Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu currently account for around 65% of installed IT load, Wood Mackenzie expects future growth to extend across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The report notes that both international hyperscale providers (including Amazon Web Services and Google) and domestic operators (such as AdaniConnex) are investing in new capacity. Souhardya Pal, Research Associate at Wood Mackenzie, says, "India's data centre market becomes a structural investment thesis. The convergence of hyperscale capital, AI workload growth, and a decade of policy support have created the conditions for India to rival any market in Asia-Pacific. "The question for developers and investors is no longer whether to enter India, but where and how." Water and infrastructure remain key considerations The report identifies reliable, cost-effective power as the primary factor influencing new data centre developments, ahead of land availability and capital. It highlights captive power generation and long-term renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) as increasingly common strategies for securing electricity supplies. Wood Mackenzie also highlights water availability as an emerging consideration, particularly as higher-density AI deployments increase cooling requirements. According to its research, developers are increasingly adopting closed-loop cooling systems and zero liquid discharge technologies to reduce freshwater consumption. Rashika Gupta, Vice President of Research at Wood Mackenzie, explains, "Land and capital are no longer the limiting factors for data centre developers in India. What determines site selection and delivery timelines now is access to firm, round-the-clock power at the node level. "Developers who secure their power strategy early, through captive generation or long-term renewable PPAs, will lock in a structural cost and sustainability advantage for the life of their assets."

ABB launches grid compliance solution for Irish data centres

ABB, a multinational corporation specialising in industrial automation and electrification products, has introduced a new energy storage and power management system designed to help data centres comply with emerging grid stability requirements in Ireland. The system combines ultracapacitor energy storage with real-time power orchestration to enable large energy users to respond to grid disturbances within milliseconds, without requiring major changes to existing electrical infrastructure. The announcement comes as Ireland prepares to introduce new grid requirements under EirGrid's proposed MPID345 grid code modification, which will require large-demand facilities, including data centres, to remain connected during grid faults and rapidly restore power demand following network disturbances. ABB has also published a whitepaper, Ireland's Data Centers - Moving from Passive Consumption to Active Participation in Grid Stabilization, outlining how the technology could support compliance with the new regulations. Addressing new grid stability requirements According to ABB, the solution integrates ultrafast energy storage, grid-forming power conversion, and digital control systems to help support grid frequency and voltage stability whilst also maintaining data centre operations. The company says the approach differs from conventional backup systems, which are primarily designed to isolate facilities from grid events rather than actively supporting the electricity network. Ireland's data centres currently account for around 24% of the country's electricity consumption, with that figure expected to increase to 30% by 2032. Under Ireland's Large Energy-User Action Plan (LEAP), new large-scale facilities are expected to provide on-site or nearby generation and/or energy storage, participate in electricity markets, and source at least 80% of their annual energy from new renewable energy projects. Lee Todd, Vice President, Energy & Carbon Services, Electrification Service at ABB, explains, "This is a radical change in what the national grid demands of Ireland’s data centre operators. "When large loads shed simultaneously during a disturbance, the resulting power imbalance can drive frequency excursions that cascade across the entire grid. That is why the country’s data centre operators will be required to provide grid support. And while Ireland is leading the way, other countries such as Spain and US State of Texas are set to follow. "The path forward is not more backup capacity, but precise, coordinated control of power delivered at the exact moment it is needed. We are using ultracapacitors as a unique innovative solution that replaces the need to use the larger alternative technologies of synchronous condensers, e-statcoms, or a combination of different technologies. "The primary purpose of the solution is to provide not only grid inertia and grid voltage control that can be controlled on demand, but [to] support all the available services that energy storage can provide, lowering CapEx investment and OpEx." ABB says a representative 50MW data centre deployment would use five modular 8.4MVA power blocks, providing around 42MVA of dynamic grid support capability. For more from ABB, click here.