AI data centre capacity to surge from 2.3GW to 150GW

Structure Research, an independent research and consulting firm focused on the global internet infrastructure market, has announced the release of its new AI Infrastructure Report, finding that AI-focused data centre capacity is projected to jump from roughly 2.3 gigawatts (GW) today to 150GW by 2030, a 66-fold increase that will reshape where capital, power, and workloads concentrate globally. The AI Infrastructure Report provides a bottom-up view of who is funding, building, and consuming AI infrastructure worldwide, combining 14 company-level trackers with a 38-operator ‘neocloud’ and sovereign infrastructure rollup to map how capacity and capital will flow through 2030. Built from Structure Research's proprietary dataset, every forecast is constructed using a bottom-up methodology and validated through a conservation framework that reconciles infrastructure ownership with compute consumption, aiming to create a consistent view of where capacity, capital, and workloads ultimately concentrate. Jabez Tan, Head of Research at Structure Research, notes, "As AI infrastructure investment accelerates globally, there is increasing confusion around who is actually building capacity, who is financing it, and who ultimately consumes the compute being created. "This report was designed to cut through the noise and provide a single, reconciled view of the AI infrastructure ecosystem. By examining both the supply and demand sides of the market simultaneously, we can better understand where capital is flowing, where bottlenecks are emerging, and how the competitive landscape is evolving." Key findings from the report The AI Infrastructure Report provides a comprehensive view of the organisations funding, building, and consuming AI infrastructure and examines how the market will evolve through 2030. Key findings include: · Power availability is emerging as one of the primary constraints to continued AI infrastructure expansion. · The report distinguishes between organisations that own AI infrastructure and those that ultimately consume AI compute capacity, providing a reconciled view of supply and demand. · Infrastructure and commercial models vary significantly in their ability to convert capital into compute, with a 45x range across different approaches. · Microsoft, leading AI labs, neocloud providers, and sovereign AI initiatives are pursuing increasingly divergent infrastructure strategies that will shape future capacity demand. · The report evaluates the long-term outlook for neocloud providers, sovereign AI programs, and custom silicon as competition and market maturity continue to reshape the ecosystem. The AI Infrastructure Report is intended for hyperscalers, AI infrastructure providers, cloud platforms, data centre operators, investors, policymakers, and enterprise technology leaders seeking a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the future of AI infrastructure deployment.

Ingeteam supplies BESS for Dublin data centre microgrid

Ingeteam, a Spanish manufacturer of power electronics, has supplied the battery energy storage system (BESS) for a microgrid at Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC)'s Dublin campus, supporting what is described as Europe's first microgrid designed to power a data centre. The project forms part of the Orion Phase 1 development and includes a 10MW/20MWh BESS, alongside a power plant controller (PPC) and SCADA system. The battery system has been commissioned and integrated with the site's power stations and energy management system. The installation is Ingeteam's third energy storage project in Ireland since the company entered the market in 2020. During construction, the campus had been supported by a temporary 10MW energy centre. The project also incorporates Ingeteam's liquid-cooled INGECON SUN STORAGE C Series technology, creating a 10MVA grid-forming system without power derating. The permanent microgrid will combine three energy centres with on-site battery storage, increasing the campus's total installed capacity to 110MW. A microgrid designed to support future growth The system has been designed to operate independently of the national electricity grid while retaining the ability to connect once additional grid capacity becomes available. Located at the Pure DC campus in Dublin, the on-site energy infrastructure provides dispatchable capacity during the site's initial development phase. It is expected to eventually transition to a hybrid configuration that combines grid electricity with on-site energy generation and storage. As grid capacity becomes an increasing constraint on digital infrastructure projects, particularly those supporting AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, microgrids are expected to play a growing role in enabling new data centre developments across Europe.

Fourth generation of the R&Mfreenet system released

Reichle & De-Massari (R&M), a Swiss manufacturer of cabling and connectivity infrastructure for data centres and networks, is introducing the fourth generation of its standard cabling system, R&Mfreenet. "With R&Mfreenet 4.0, we are beginning a new chapter in network technology," says Matthias Gerber, R&M Market Manager LAN Cabling. "R&Mfreenet 4.0 is more than a portfolio for structured cabling with connectivity, cables, distributors, and outlets; it sets new standards because it considerably simplifies and perfects the planning, installation, and operation of data networks." With the cabling system, R&M is offering a comprehensive modular system for the physical level of local data networks (LAN). The focus is on the renewed and harmonised range of RJ45 connection modules, and R&M is reducing the number of variants of the EL4.0 module generation to two per category. Small parts such as adaptors are no longer required or are now integrated into the module - such as tension relief, colour code, and protective flap. The self-explanatory "Easy Lock" assembly process has also been compressed into a single work step. The R&Mfreenet 4.0 system includes installation and patch cords that "meet the highest-quality requirements". R&M also says it is the only manufacturer to connect the copper wires of the patch cords with corrosion-resistant, strain- and vibration-proofed IDC technology. The plug contacts are coated with a layer of gold (of a specified thickness) "to ensure loss-free signal transmission under all conditions". The installation cables must pass the R&M endurance test before they are approved for use. R&M maintains its own supply chain and ensures that the installation cables are available worldwide at all times. R&M also offers the modular rack family, Freenet, as housing for distributors and equipment. Customers can freely configure the Freenet racks to suit their project. Infrastructure solutions for every commercial use With R&Mfreenet 4.0, customers can set up structured cabling as well as a complete passive infrastructure for modern ethernet/IP networks. The cabling system is suitable for a variety of commercial applications and environments. These include IT, offices and data centres, trade and industry, and WiFi and IP-aided building automation. With the Cat. 8.1 ISO products, networks can be installed that enable high-speed data traffic of up to 40 Gigabit/s. R&Mfreenet 4.0 contains fibre optic solutions for backbones, digital ceilings, Fibre to the Office, and extended and hybrid networks. The cabling system supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) "up to the highest performance level" for the remote power supply of terminal devices and equipment. R&M uses the PowerSafe seal to label specifically tested PoE-stable products. Customers receive lifetime application warranties on R&Mfreenet 4.0 installations. To this end, the network must be installed and tested by qualified specialists in accordance with R&M specifications. Matthias sums it up, stating, "We are proud to be introducing the fourth-generation R&Mfreenet system, which is equipped to meet the challenges of the digital era. "This strategic renewal reduces complexity and the risk of errors. R&Mfreenet 4.0 incorporates continuous innovation and in-depth knowledge of technologies, markets, and customer requirements. "Improved interaction of the components simplifies planning, ordering, storage, work preparation, and installation. We are making design, functions, installation, security, and logistics more user-friendly, coherent, and sustainable, without compromising on quality, technology, and cost-effectiveness." For more from R&M, click here.

VIRTUS expands Slough data centre campus

VIRTUS Data Centres, a UK data centre owner-operator and part of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), has announced plans to expand its presence at the Slough Trading Estate with a new AI-ready data centre that will provide 32.5MW of IT capacity, increasing the company's UK data centre estate to more than 300MW of operational and committed capacity. The new facility, known as LONDON19, is intended to provide additional capacity to meet growing demand for AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure. The data centre will incorporate advanced cooling systems, sustainable construction materials, and provision for the future export of waste heat for use within the local community. New facility planned for Slough campus Planning permission for LONDON19 has already been secured through the Slough Trading Estate Simplified Planning Zone. SEGRO will develop the powered shell, with construction expected to begin following design approval. The development will include a roof-level plant deck and is expected to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating. Once completed, LONDON19 will become the latest addition to VIRTUS's UK portfolio, bringing the company's operational and committed capacity to more than 300MW. Adam Eaton, CEO of VIRTUS Data Centres, says, "We are delighted to expand our Slough campus with the addition of LONDON19, further strengthening our ability to support customers seeking scalable, resilient, and sustainable data centre capacity in London's western corridor. "This development builds on our long-standing relationship with SEGRO and enables us to deliver critical power and IT capacity aligned with customer demand. "By embedding sustainability considerations from the outset, including provision for future waste heat utilisation, LONDON19 reflects our focus on delivering flexible, future-ready infrastructure that supports the UK's digital economy while minimising environmental impact." Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director of Data Centres and Strategic Partnerships at SEGRO, adds, "VIRTUS is one of Europe's leading data centre operators and we are pleased to be extending our long-standing relationship through the delivery of this new facility at the Slough Trading Estate. "The Trading Estate has been at the centre of the UK's data centre market for more than 20 years, and the scale of infrastructure, power availability, and planning certainty we have established there, alongside a strong focus on sustainability and positive engagement with the local community, continues to support customers like VIRTUS as they expand in a highly constrained environment." VIRTUS says it will continue its engagement with the local community as development progresses at the Slough Trading Estate. For more from VIRTUS, click here.

Janitza marks 40 years of growth

Janitza, a German manufacturer of energy measurement and power quality monitoring equipment, is marking its 40th anniversary as demand for power quality and energy monitoring continues to grow across sectors including data centres, industry, and critical infrastructure. The company says it is continuing to expand its international operations, with investment in local subsidiaries and customer support capabilities in markets including the UK, North America, and Australia. Founded in Germany in 1986, Janitza now operates in more than 90 countries, supplying energy monitoring and power quality technologies for applications where resilient electrical infrastructure is essential. Markus Janitza, founder and CEO of Janitza, notes, "The requirements for modern energy infrastructure have changed dramatically over recent decades. "As power grids become more dynamic and energy systems more complex, transparency and power quality are becoming increasingly critical, particularly in sectors such as data centres, industry, and critical infrastructure. "This is exactly where we continue to support our customers globally with precise measurement and monitoring technologies." International expansion continues Janitza says it has grown from a regional manufacturer with around 30 employees into an international supplier serving customers across a range of industries. The company states that it will continue investing in engineering and manufacturing at its German headquarters while expanding its international sales and customer support network. Alexander Veidt, CEO at Janitza, comments, "Over the years, Janitza has always identified technological developments at an early stage and translated them into practical solutions for customers. We will continue to follow this path consistently in the years ahead." Janitza remains a family-owned business and says it expects demand for energy transparency, resilient electrical infrastructure, and power quality technologies to continue increasing as energy systems become more complex. The company also formally celebrated its 40th anniversary with an industry event at its headquarters in Germany on 19 June 2026. For more from Janitza, cick here.

AI infrastructure is booming beyond the bubble

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Damir Špoljarič (pictured above), founder of Gi21 Capital, challenges the idea of an AI bubble, suggesting that long-term investment in data centre infrastructure reflects enduring demand rather than short-term market speculation: The distinction between applications and infrastructure Every conversation about the economics of AI inevitably arrives at the subject of the dreaded AI bubble. Artificial intelligence, we’re told, is a bubble that is just moments from bursting. When the MIT Sloan Management Review compiled its list of the biggest trends in AI and data science for 2026, the deflation of said bubble topped the list. With the IPO race between OpenAI and Anthropic heating up, The Telegraph worried aloud about “history repeating itself” with the “dotcom bubble 2.0”. But these conversations are conflating two distinct categories: AI infrastructure and AI applications. The bubble-indicating hype exists predominantly at the application layer, consisting of AI startups, software platforms, and emerging business models. Infrastructure, by contrast, is driven by non-cyclical demand and is still in the early stages, so it’s more stable than the application layer. The entire AI ecosystem isn’t a single market; therefore, there is no single bubble that can burst. The physical foundation that makes AI possible (data centres, power systems, networking equipment, cooling technologies, and compute capacity) and the investment appear increasingly structural and long-term. Valuation vs demand vs implementation Many AI companies are without a doubt overvalued, lacking strong fundamentals for such valuation, and those company-sized bubbles may indeed burst. However, there is no industry-sized bubble, and it’s a mistake to conflate the failure of individual companies with the long-term trajectory of AI adoption itself. No bubble changes the reality that AI is still in the early stages of implementation across all industries globally, and that it will have a profound effect on the social contract in the coming years. This is real, transformative technology that will create far more winners than failed companies. The models are getting more efficient by the day, but this does not mean that it will soon outpace demand. The world is likely using only a minuscule fraction of the AI that will eventually be deployed. A McKinsey report released last November found that nearly two thirds of organisations are still in their AI pilot and experimentation stages, and have not yet begun proper scaling across their enterprises. As AI progressively penetrates every industry, the need for infrastructure will appear increasingly sensible and structural as opposed to speculative. Efficiency gains don’t change the fact that AI adoption remains at a very early stage, with untold demand yet to be realised. Not-so-peak investment The validity of any argument about an AI bubble rests on the idea that the industry is at, or near, peak investment. At best, we’ve only just finished the warm-up. There are indeed exorbitant amounts of capital flowing into foundation models, but that’s to be expected when building the base infrastructure layer of a technology as transformative as this. It’s also necessary. We’re building the infrastructure required for future growth, not responding to already realised demand. Data centres, power grids, transmission networks, and compute clusters are years-long projects from planning to construction. Entire economies would struggle with capacity shortages if we waited until demand fully materialised. Consider it the opening phase of a much longer infrastructure buildout. The cash flow is justified when viewed as front-loading the infrastructure of the biggest industrial shift of the century. Although AI is mostly limited to software, its next phase will be real-world, physical integration, particularly through robotics. Once that occurs, an even bigger (and more obviously justified) explosion in capital volume is likely to occur. Autonomous, AI-driven robotics will become central to manufacturing, logistics, and daily life, and require a capital expenditure that makes today’s spending look tiny. Real demand and imagined bubbles Supply constraints are good evidence that infrastructure demand remains strong, but it’s also more complex than that. Global project delays often come down to the limited availability of critical data centre infrastructure components such as transformers and UPS batteries. Lead times for both typically exceed a year. GPU supply is under hard pricing pressure due to high demand. Such realities are wholly inconsistent with the concept of a market suffering from excess capacity. The likelihood of overbuilding is low. Genuine long-term demand exists behind current infrastructure development. Decade-long contracts are now commonplace in this market. Speculative projects haven’t disappeared, but overall financing conditions remain relatively disciplined. To that end, banks and infrastructure investors remain relatively conservative when it comes to financing, insofar as they still want to see meaningful long-term customer commitments before backing new AI data centre developments. Infrastructure is always built ahead of demand - only with AI has this fact inspired such panic. The gap between current end-user consumption and projected future demand is fairly standard in the tech world. Less bubble, more well-laid plans Rather than view AI infrastructure as a bubble, we should view it as akin to city planning. Roads and water pipelines are built before they’re demanded en masse, and demand follows their construction. Construction and deployment take time. AI infrastructure, like any other kind of infrastructure, must be planned years in advance. The bubble is not about to burst, because the bubble doesn’t exist. This is only the beginning of development, implementation, and investment. However it looks in a decade, it is not cause for frantic concern today.

Lenovo to supply HPC for research at Southampton Uni

Lenovo, a Chinese multinational technology company making servers and AI infrastructure systems, has signed a four-year agreement with the University of Southampton in the UK to supply high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, supporting the university's research programmes. Through and in addition to this, the company says it also plans to return to the 'Top500' ranking of the world's most powerful supercomputers. Under the agreement, Lenovo will become the university's preferred supplier of HPC infrastructure following a competitive tender process. The partnership builds on a relationship between the two organisations spanning more than a decade. The first order, valued at approximately £7 million, is scheduled for delivery during summer 2026. New systems to support AI and scientific research The initial deployment will include Lenovo ThinkSystem SR675 V3 servers equipped with NVIDIA H200 GPUs and NVLink technology, designed for artificial intelligence, simulation, and other compute-intensive workloads. A second phase is expected to introduce a cluster based on NVIDIA Grace Blackwell architecture using Lenovo ThinkSystem SC777 V4 Neptune servers, further increasing the university's computing capacity. According to Lenovo, the systems will support research across a range of scientific disciplines and help expand the university's computational capabilities. Andy Rhodes, Managing Director of Lenovo UK & Ireland, says, "As research demands continue to grow in scale and complexity, access to powerful, scalable computing is critical. "Lenovo's latest HPC solutions, including next-generation GPU-accelerated systems, will enable the University of Southampton to tackle data-intensive workloads and accelerate breakthrough research. We are proud to support their ambition to further elevate their global research standing." Partnership extends beyond infrastructure Alongside the deployment of HPC systems, the agreement includes opportunities for collaboration on end-user computing, researcher engagement, and the adoption of new technologies across the university. Professor Mark Spearing, Vice President Research and Enterprise at the University of Southampton, comments, "This partnership represents a major step forward in strengthening our research infrastructure. "These new HPC capabilities will play a vital role in enabling cutting-edge research and innovation, helping to raise the global profile of Southampton's research community and compete at the highest international level." The organisations also expect to work together on activities linked to the British Science Festival, which will be hosted by the University of Southampton in September 2026. For more from Lenovo, click here.

EdgeMode signs MOU for 300MW Toledo data centre

EdgeMode, a digital infrastructure company specialising in developing high-performance computing (HPC) data centres, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City Council of Mora to support the development of the planned 300MW DC Malpica data centre campus in Toledo, Spain. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two during the development of the site, which is intended to support artificial intelligence (AI), HPC, and cloud workloads. The MOU was signed by Mora Mayor Emilio Bravo Peña and EdgeMode CEO Charlie Faulkner during a ceremony at the municipality's plenary hall. EdgeMode says DC Malpica forms part of its eight-site portfolio in Spain, representing more than 4.35GW of planned capacity. The site is also located near Madrid, a major European hub for AI and digital infrastructure. In addition to this, earlier this year, the company announced plans to deploy solid oxide fuel cell microgrid technology to supply power to the campus. Agreement sets out development priorities Under the agreement, the City Council of Mora will provide institutional support for the project, coordinate with administrative departments, and support efforts to secure Project of Strategic Interest status for the development. EdgeMode says it will work to integrate the campus into the local economy, with priorities including employment, collaboration with regional businesses, and skills development initiatives. According to the company, the project could create up to 5,000 jobs during the construction phase. The planned campus will also incorporate energy-efficient and low-emission technologies as part of its sustainability strategy. Emilio Bravo Peña comments, "With this data centre project, we will be a leading town not just in Spain, but in Europe. Furthermore, I am sure that the magnet effect will work, and companies from other sectors - some of which are necessary for this project - will also come to Mora." Charlie Faulkner, CEO of EdgeMode, adds, "This agreement marks a critical milestone in the development of one of Europe's prime locations for data centre capacity and our collaboration with the City of Mora. "By establishing this institutional framework, we can navigate the development process efficiently while ensuring that DC Malpica delivers lasting economic value, high-quality employment, and technological advancement to the local community without compromising on environmental standards." The memorandum has an initial term of 24 months and outlines commitments to regulatory compliance, transparent communication, and cooperation throughout the development process.

Broadcom, Nationwide deepen cloud partnership

Nationwide Building Society, the world’s largest building society, has expanded its strategic partnership with Broadcom, a designer, developer, and supplier of semiconductor and infrastructure software, as it continues to develop its private cloud infrastructure and integrate Virgin Money into the wider organisation. The agreement will see Nationwide adopt VMware Cloud Foundation as the platform for its private cloud, providing a standardised infrastructure for applications and digital services across the enlarged group. According to the organisations, the platform is intended to support greater resilience, scalability, and operational consistency while meeting the governance and compliance requirements of the UK financial services sector. Paul Walsh, Director of Infrastructure and Service Delivery at Nationwide, says, "Our extended partnership with Broadcom represents a significant step forward in our technology strategy. "As we continue to evolve as a business, including integrating Virgin Money into the group, it is vital that we have a resilient, scalable, and secure technology foundation. "A private cloud built on VMware Cloud Foundation enables us to simplify operations, accelerate innovation, and deliver seamless digital experiences for our members, while maintaining the trust and stability that define the Nationwide brand." A private cloud platform to support integration VMware Cloud Foundation combines compute, storage, networking, management, security, and automation within a single private cloud platform. Nationwide says the technology will provide a common infrastructure for traditional applications, cloud-native workloads, and future artificial intelligence deployments, whilst helping simplify infrastructure management across the organisation. The building society also expects the platform to support long-term operational efficiency and service continuity as it modernises its IT estate. Joe Baguley, EMEA Chief Technology Officer at Broadcom, says, "Nationwide is taking a deliberate and strategic approach to private cloud that balances agility with control and innovation with resilience. "By extending our partnership and adopting VMware Cloud Foundation as a consistent platform across the group, Nationwide will be able to integrate operations more efficiently, accelerate service delivery, and reduce operational complexity, while maintaining the security and governance expected of a leading UK financial services brand."

SUBCO activates Australian SMAP subsea cable

SUBCO, an Australian developer of undersea fibre optic cable networks, has announced that its 5,000km Sydney–Melbourne–Adelaide–Perth (SMAP) subsea cable system is now ready for service. The company says the system is the largest transcontinental capacity upgrade in Australia for almost 25 years, connecting the country's four largest cities through a single, fully armoured subsea cable. SMAP comprises 16 fibre pairs and uses space division multiplexing (SDM) technology to provide more than 400Tbps of capacity. According to SUBCO, it is Australia's first 'hypercable' and the first submarine cable system to land in both Melbourne and Adelaide, providing an additional route between Sydney and Perth. Bevan Slattery, founder and Co-CEO of SUBCO, comments, "SMAP going live is the culmination of more than three years of hard work, and a landmark moment for Australia's digital future. "For the first time, the nation's four major cities are connected by a single, fully armoured, high-capacity subsea system, delivering the resilience and scale that Australia's digital economy, and its role as a connectivity hub for the Indo-Pacific, demands." Foundation customers begin using new network The system's foundation customers include 5GN, Swoop, Aussie Broadband, Cloudflare, GSL, Host Universal, Kinetix, Leaptel, Megaport, Telair, and Virtutel. Brad Parker, CTO at Aussie Broadband, notes, "By coming on board early as a foundational customer of SMAP, we're locking in the capacity, performance, and resilience our customers will need for the next decade and beyond. "The hyperscale capacity and added redundancy allows us to move massive volumes of traffic between our capital city points of presence with lower latency, higher availability, and far more headroom for growth." Damian Matacz, Director, Network Strategy at Cloudflare, adds, "A better internet is built on resilient infrastructure. SMAP gives Cloudflare diverse new domestic paths across Australia, strengthening our network and elevating the experience for everyone our customers serve." Brendan Halley of Host Universal concludes, "SUBCO have always been forward thinking in how they design and operate their cable systems. SMAP is a standout example of that, delivering the resilient, sovereign infrastructure Australia needs. We're proud to continue our relationship as a foundation partner." For more from SUBCO, click here.