Airbus selects Scaleway for sovereign cloud

European multinational aerospace company Airbus has selected French cloud computing provider Scaleway as a sovereign cloud provider to support parts of its cloud infrastructure, adding European-based cloud services to its existing multi-cloud strategy. Under the agreement, Scaleway will provide cloud infrastructure for selected enterprise applications operating in environments requiring high levels of governance, resilience, and legal protection. The platform is also intended to support AI-enabled workloads. Airbus says the appointment follows a competitive tender process that assessed cloud providers on technical capabilities, operational resilience, and legal and governance safeguards, including European jurisdiction and data protection. The sovereign cloud platform will be built on European infrastructure and integrated with Airbus's existing technology environment. According to the companies, it is designed to support business-critical applications across aircraft design, engineering, manufacturing, and enterprise operations. The agreement forms part of Airbus's wider digital sovereignty strategy, allowing different workloads to be hosted in environments that best meet their technical, operational, and regulatory requirements. Supporting critical applications with European cloud infrastructure Scaleway says the platform will provide interoperability with Airbus's existing cloud estate whilst enabling the company to retain operational control over sensitive applications and industrial data. Damien Lucas, Chief Executive Officer of Scaleway, comments, "Artificial intelligence is redefining how the world's most advanced industries design, manufacture, and operate. Unlocking its full potential requires digital infrastructure that combines world-class performance with trust, openness, and long-term control. "We're proud that Airbus has selected Scaleway to help build this next chapter of its cloud strategy and to demonstrate that Europe can deliver sovereign cloud capabilities at the highest international standards." Catherine Jestin, Executive Vice President Digital at Airbus, adds, "This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our broader commitment to European digital sovereignty. "By integrating a trusted, high-performance cloud environment that keeps our critical data assets shielded from foreign extraterritorial laws, we are ensuring that our digital infrastructure keeps pace with our aerospace innovation while maintaining control and resilience of our industrial operations." For more from Scaleway, click here.

Data centre batteries could cut peak grid demand by 15%

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is increasing electricity demand from data centres and could encourage greater investment in energy storage and clean energy technologies, according to researchers from WU Vienna University of Economics and Business. The researchers argue that, with appropriate policy and market reforms, data centre operators could play a larger role in supporting electricity networks by investing in on-site energy infrastructure alongside new computing capacity. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global electricity demand from new data centres is expected to double by 2030. In the US, data centres could account for up to 17% of electricity consumption by the end of the decade. To assess the potential impact of on-site energy storage, the researchers analysed electricity consumption across 96 UK data centres using data from UK Power Networks. Their findings suggest that using on-site batteries to meet peak demand could reduce peak electricity imports from the grid by 10–15%. Research highlights role of batteries and grid flexibility The paper also proposes a series of policy reforms, including changes to grid connection rules, greater support for on-site battery storage and clean energy generation, incentives for flexible computing loads during periods of grid stress, and measures to encourage investment in next-generation energy storage technologies. The researchers argue that future data centre developments should be assessed not only by their electricity demand, but also by the flexibility, energy storage, and clean energy capacity they contribute to the wider electricity system. Lead author Behnam Zakeri, Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of the Institute for Data, Energy and Sustainability (IDEaS) at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, says, "AI is creating an unprecedented race for electricity. The question is not just where to find clean power, but how quickly it can be delivered to meet AI’s growing compute demand. "Big tech companies are increasingly investing in energy storage as a solution to several of their power problems. What is now emerging is a ‘nexus’ where AI and energy storage reinforce one another. "AI is already helping to discover new materials, accelerate battery development, and optimise energy storage systems. At the same time, the growing demand for reliable, clean electricity for data centres is creating a powerful market for batteries, long-duration storage, and other flexibility technologies. "Under the right conditions, the digital infrastructure boom could help accelerate the clean energy transition beyond data centres themselves, creating spillover effects across other sectors."

Terra Innovatum targets Latin American data centres

Terra Innovatum Global, a developer of micro-modular nuclear reactors, has signed a commercial letter of intent (LOI) with Waiken ILW to deploy its SOLO micro-modular nuclear reactor platform at data centre facilities operated by DIRECTV Latin America and SKY Brasil in Jaguariúna, Brazil. The agreement covers an initial deployment of up to 8MWe of behind-the-meter generating capacity, with the reactors intended to provide on-site power for the facilities. Alessandro Petruzzi, co-founder and CEO of Terra Innovatum Global, says, "This initiative aims to provide reliable, behind-the-meter clean energy solutions for Waiken ILW’s data centers while serving as a proof of concept for other long-term, energy-intensive operations within the Waiken ILW group of companies. "Critical communications infrastructure demands uninterrupted, resilient power. We believe this agreement demonstrates the growing commercial opportunity for behind-the-meter nuclear energy beyond AI data centres, extending into media, telecommunications, and other critical infrastructure sectors." First commercial deployment planned for the region The companies note that the project marks Terra Innovatum's first announced commercial deployment initiative in Latin America and reflects increasing interest in factory-built, micro-modular nuclear reactors for energy-intensive facilities. The SOLO platform is intended for use across a range of sectors, including telecommunications, cloud infrastructure, data centres, financial services, healthcare, and industrial facilities. Giordano Morichi, Founding Partner, Chief Business Development Officer, and Director of Investor Relations at Terra Innovatum Global, comments, "This strategic collaboration with Waiken ILW highlights the commercial strength of our global supply chain and the versatility of our SOLO technology. "The agreement demonstrates that SOLO is not designed for a single market; rather, it is a platform that can scale across multiple industries and geographies, including telecommunications, cloud infrastructure, and data centres, financial services, healthcare, industrial facilities, and other mission-critical operations." Carlos Magariños, Chief Global and Regulatory Strategy at Waiken ILW, adds, "We partner with Terra Innovatum Global to drive a forward-looking energy strategy that reinforces our long-standing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological excellence across all our companies and partners. "This alliance will strengthen our infrastructure by delivering reliable, behind-the-meter clean energy to DIRECTV’s and SKY’s broadcasting data centers, paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and self-sustaining energy future across Argentina, Brazil, and the broader region." For more from Terra Innovatum, click here.

Aon expands data centre insurance programme to $5bn

Aon, a London-headquartered global professional services firm, has expanded its Data Center Lifecycle Insurance Program (DCLP), increasing available insurance capacity to $5 billion (£3.7 billion) and broadening the range of risk management services available to support data centre developments from construction through to long-term operation. The programme is intended to provide insurance and advisory support for digital infrastructure projects as investment in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and hyperscale data centres continues to grow. Joe Peiser, CEO of Risk Capital at Aon, says, "Digital infrastructure has become one of the most important and capital-intensive asset classes in the global economy. "As clients build larger and more complex data centre portfolios, they need access to greater insurance capacity alongside solutions that strengthen resilience throughout the asset lifecycle. "Expanding DCLP to $5 billion demonstrates our ability to help clients access capital, manage risk, and scale with confidence." Broader risk management throughout the asset lifecycle The enhanced programme provides up to $5 billion in Construction All Risks (CAR), Delay in Start-Up (DSU), Property Damage, and Business Interruption cover through a panel of A-rated insurers from Lloyd's and company markets, alongside other insurance facilities. It also includes expanded liability, cyber, and project cargo cover, offering up to $200 million (£148 million) in third-party liability outside the US, $100 million (£74 million) within the US, $400 million (£297 million) in cyber and technology errors and omissions cover, $500 million (£371 million) in project cargo cover, and up to $1 billion (£743 million) in terrorism cover through existing Aon facilities. In addition, Aon has expanded its advisory services through Aon Global Risk Consulting, including climate risk advice, environmental risk management, Owners Protective Professional Indemnity (OPPI), security risk consulting, risk engineering, and operational resilience expertise. The expansion builds on previous updates to the programme, which increased insurance capacity to $3.5 billion (£2.6 billion) and extended support for operational data centres.

BSRIA: 'Data centres dominate global cabling'

BSRIA, a UK-based research, testing, and consultancy organisation, has released its latest analysis of the global structured cabling sector. The Structured Cabling Worldwide 2026 report, covering 34 countries, points to a market driven by data centre investment. The global structured cabling market grew 21% in 2025 to $9.08 billion (£6.7 billion), adding $1.3 billion (£965 million) in a single year and building on almost 11% growth in 2024. The data centre segment was the main driver of that growth, increasing by 54% in 2025, as AI infrastructure investment continues to push cabling demand higher. Data centres now account for more than 41% of all cabling installed, almost double the 21% share they held in the 2015 to 2018 period. Markets including Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and India recorded strong growth. Data centre growth across all segments The US delivered the strongest growth of any market, with sales up 44% year on year and the country accounting for almost nine in 10 dollars (89%) of the total global value increase in 2025. The US also holds more than two thirds (69%) of the global data centre cabling market, 14 times the size of second-placed China. Germany, the UK, Australia, and India follow as the next biggest data centre markets. While hyperscalers were the largest contributor to US growth, all data centre segments increased. Some of the US figures reflect products shipped from American hyperscalers into Canada, Latin America, and Europe, so the headline numbers slightly overstate domestic installation. Even allowing for that, the gap between the US and the rest of the world has widened. China is the exception, taking a separate path for reasons explored below. Suppliers dealing directly with hyperscalers have been amongst the main beneficiaries of the increase in US data centre revenues. China takes a different route in AI data centres China's AI data centres are following a different path. Direct Attach Cables (DACs) account for more than the majority (90–95%) of connections there, chosen for their lower cost and shorter lead times. Structured cabling plays a smaller role in those builds than it does in the US and other regions, with commercial implications for suppliers planning Asia Pacific strategies. The report as a whole covers the global structured cabling market across copper and fibre cable and connectivity, as well as associated components, with sales data, supplier shares, and forecasts for both data centre and LAN segments. For more from BSRIA, click here.

PowerCell wins hydrogen power order for AI data centre

PowerCell, a Swedish developer and manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cells for stationary power and transport applications, has secured an order worth approximately SEK 30 million (£2.3 million) to supply hydrogen fuel cell systems for ECL's CSC-1 AI data centre campus in Santa Clara, California, USA. The contract covers the supply of PowerCell PS190 fuel cell systems, together with licences for the company's Distributed Master Controller (DMC), for integration into ECL's FlexGrid microgrid architecture. The installation represents approximately 5MW of power generation capacity, with deliveries scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The order follows the deployment of the same technology at ECL's MV-1 AI data centre in Mountain View, California, and forms part of an ongoing collaboration between ECL, PowerCell, and Bosch. Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, says, "This order demonstrates how hydrogen fuel cells are becoming part of critical energy infrastructure. As demand for computing capacity accelerates, access to reliable power has become one of the industry's biggest constraints. "ECL deserves significant credit for having continuously operated liquid, hydrogen-powered AI infrastructure over the past two years. Technology matures through operation and that experience has created a depth of application knowledge that few organisations have." Project targets resilient AI infrastructure The CSC-1 campus is designed to provide 35MW of AI computing capacity using a combination of grid power, battery storage, natural gas, and hydrogen fuel cells. PowerCell's DMC will coordinate these energy sources through ECL's energy management platform. According to PowerCell, the project marks a commercial deployment of its strategy to combine hydrogen fuel cell technology with energy management software for primary power applications rather than standby generation. Alongside the order, PowerCell and ECL have also signed a separate non-binding memorandum of understanding covering a potential further 300MW of hydrogen power capacity.

Macquarie to buy A$240m site for 200MW data centre

Australian data centre operator Macquarie Data Centres, part of Macquarie Technology Group, has announced plans to develop a new engineering and technology campus alongside a proposed 200MW data centre campus in Macquarie Park, Sydney, Australia. The company has exercised its option to acquire a 34,200m² development site for A$240 million (£124 million), with completion of the purchase subject to standard settlement procedures. The proposed development remains subject to planning and other regulatory approvals. Located in Sydney's North Zone (AZ1), the campus is intended to support AI, cloud, and cybersecurity infrastructure, whilst also providing engineering and research opportunities through a partnership with Macquarie University. Initial construction is expected to be completed in late 2029, subject to approvals. David Hirst (pictured above), CEO of Macquarie Data Centres, comments, "Alongside the ~200MW of Australian-owned and operated data centre [capacity] this will deliver to Sydney's North Zone, the proposed campus will also deliver lasting benefit to the local community. "In partnership with Macquarie University, students and researchers will gain hands-on access to the latest data centre, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. It will also provide a more than one-acre-sized, intergenerational community park for City of Ryde residents." Campus plans extend beyond data centre infrastructure Macquarie says the proposed facility is being designed to support high-density AI workloads using advanced air cooling, closed-loop cooling technology (to minimise operational water consumption), and direct-to-chip liquid cooling within the data halls. The company also plans to incorporate community facilities into the site, including a park of more than one acre, a community garden, and an outdoor art gallery, subject to planning approval. Macquarie Data Centres says the development builds on its existing partnership with Macquarie University and is intended to provide students and researchers with access to operational data centre, cloud, AI, and cybersecurity technologies. For more from Macquarie Data Centres, click here.

Schneider research examines AI data centre maintenance

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has published new research examining the role of condition-based maintenance (CBM) in supporting AI-era data centres. The IDC whitepaper, The Self-Aware Datacenter: How Condition-Based Maintenance Turns Fragmented, Multi-Vendor Datacenters into Predictable Infrastructure and System Intelligence, explores how increasing rack densities, multi-vendor environments, and shortages of skilled technicians are influencing maintenance strategies. According to the report, traditional, calendar-based maintenance is becoming less effective as data centre infrastructure becomes more complex. Instead, it highlights condition-based maintenance, which uses continuous monitoring and predictive analytics to identify potential equipment issues before failures occur. Jerome Soltani, Global Head of Services at Schneider Electric, says, "By combining remote monitoring capabilities with AI-assisted orchestration, you can gain insights regarding the health of your assets and systems, and get an early identification of abnormal behaviour that might precipitate a failure. "This ensures that downtime is minimised, but also that equipment that is working within specification is not disturbed or needlessly addressed." Research highlights growing operational challenges The whitepaper states that AI deployments are increasing rack power densities well beyond those typically found in conventional data centres, while mergers, acquisitions, and brownfield developments are creating more complex, multi-vendor environments. It also highlights the shortage of skilled engineers as a growing operational challenge, citing research indicating that demand for qualified personnel continues to outpace supply in many markets. According to IDC, organisations adopting AI-assisted CBM have reported reductions in manual interventions, operational expenditure, and unplanned downtime, alongside improvements in asset lifespan and operational efficiency. Luis Fernandes, Senior Research Manager at IDC and author of the whitepaper, explains, "Condition-based maintenance is an optimised operating model for AI-era infrastructure that reduces manual interventions, lowers OpEx, and extends asset lifecycle. "By scaling predictive analytics to correlate behaviour across every vendor, asset, and failure trajectory, CBM enables operators to build machine-driven, human-validated system intelligence." For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Duos secures 10MW hyperscale colocation agreement

Duos Edge AI, a provider of edge data centre (EDC) systems, has signed a five-year colocation agreement with an investment-grade hyperscale customer for 10MW of IT capacity at its data centre campus in Columbus, Georgia. The contract is valued at more than $111 million (£82.5 million) over five years and is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The agreement will also increase the campus's total contracted IT capacity to 20MW by the end of 2026. The company says its initial 10MW deployment at the Columbus site remains on schedule to begin generating revenue in August 2026. Duos recently completed a $55 million (£40.9 million) fundraising to support the acquisition of the Columbus facility, alongside investment in infrastructure required for contracted customer deployments and future expansion. Doug Recker, CEO of Duos, says, "This agreement shows how we are investing in infrastructure in key markets so we can quickly add capacity for our customers. "The Columbus campus gives us the ability to rapidly deploy high-density AI infrastructure while generating durable recurring revenue. We believe this model positions Duos to meet growing customer demand and create meaningful long-term value for our shareholders." Campus capacity doubles to 20MW With the latest agreement, Duos Edge AI says it has now secured 20MW of contracted deployments scheduled for delivery during 2026. The Columbus campus forms part of the company's stated strategy of developing and operating high-density AI infrastructure supported by long-term customer agreements. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

Treat your rack like prime real estate

Data centre racks are often specified on dimensions, load ratings, and cost alone. However, as power densities, cooling requirements, and cable volumes continue to increase, the rack has become a critical infrastructure platform that directly influences performance, operability, and long-term resilience. A rack may have available U space and still be effectively 'full' if airflow is compromised, access becomes restricted, or cable and power management become difficult to maintain. Modern data centre environments demand a broader view of rack performance - one that considers serviceability, cooling, power distribution, security, and future growth alongside physical capacity. Elevate's latest whitepaper, Treat Your Rack Like Prime Real Estate, explores why racks should be treated as infrastructure rather than furniture, providing practical guidance for consultants, specifiers, and operators. Covering topics including usable capacity, access capacity, airflow management, and lifecycle planning, the whitepaper offers a framework for designing rack environments that remain effective throughout their operational life. Download the whitepaper and discover what your rack really enables. For more from Elevate, click here.