Huber+Suhner expands sustainable packaging drive

Huber+Suhner, a Swiss fibre optic cable manufacturer, has broadened the use of recycled and recyclable packaging across its fibre optic portfolio as part of its ongoing sustainability programme. The company has removed more than 743,000 single-use plastic bags, substituted approximately 1.5 million cable ties, and replaced 35,500 blister packages with recycled polyethylene terephthalate. 11 product families are now covered by the initiative. Lana Ollier, Head of Global Sustainability at Huber+Suhner, says, “Removing single-use plastic items and moving more product families to recyclable and sustainable materials show what’s possible when sustainability is designed in, not added on.” Less waste and lower packaging emissions The measures include FSC-certified, recyclable paper packaging for connector and cable assemblies, and recycled PET for fibre modules including LISA, SYLFA HD, and IANOS. Huber+Suhner reports improvements in handling, dust protection, and transport weight. Verified lifecycle assessments indicate that blister packaging emissions have been reduced by around 50% for selected modules when compared with traditional plastics. The changes are intended to cut on-site material waste and ease installation through simplified paper formats and stackable blister trays. Following positive feedback, the company says its sustainable packaging approach will extend to 17 fibre optic product families during 2026. For more from Huber+Suhner, click here.

Multi-million pound Heathrow data centre upgrade completed

Managed IT provider Redcentric has completed a multi-million pound electrical infrastructure upgrade at its Heathrow Corporate Park data centre in London. The project was partly funded through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, which supports high-energy organisations adopting lower-carbon technologies. The programme included replacement of legacy uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). As part of the upgrade, Centiel supplied StratusPower modular UPS equipment to protect an existing 7 MW critical load. Redcentric states the system design allows the facility to increase capacity to 10.5 MW without additional infrastructure work. The site reports a rise in UPS operating efficiency from below 90% to more than 97%, which could reduce future emissions over the expected lifecycle of the equipment. Modular UPS deployment and installation Paul Hone, Data Centre Facilities Director at Redcentric, comments, “Our London West colocation data centre is a strategically located facility that offers cost effective ISO-certified racks, cages, private suites, and complete data halls, as well as significant on-site office space. The data centre is powered by 100% renewable energy, sourced solely from solar, wind, and hydro. “In 2023 we embarked on the start of a full upgrade across the facility which included the electrical infrastructure and live replacement of legacy UPS before they reached end of life. This part of the project has now been completed with zero downtime or disruption. “In addition, for 2026, we are also planning a further deployment of 12 MW of power protection from two refurbished data halls being configured to support AI workloads of the future.” Aaron Oddy, Sales Manager at Centiel, adds, “A critical component of the project was the strategic removal of 22 MW of inefficient, legacy UPS systems. By replacing outdated technology with the latest innovation, we have dramatically improved efficiency delivering immediate and substantial cost savings. “StratusPower offers an exceptional 97.6% efficiency, dramatically increasing power utilisation and reducing the data centre's overall carbon footprint - a key driver for Redcentric. “The legacy equipment was replaced by Centiel’s StratusPower UPS system, featuring 14x500kW Modular UPS Systems. This delivered a significant reduction in physical size, while delivering greater resilience as a direct result of StratusPower’s award-winning, unique architecture. Durata carried out the installation work. Paul Hone concludes, “Environmental considerations were a key driver for us. StratusPower is a truly modular solution, ensuring efficient running and maintenance of systems. Reducing the requirement for major midlife service component replacements further adds to its green credentials. “With no commissioning issues [and] zero reliability challenges or problems with the product, we are already talking to the Centiel team about how they can potentially support us with power protection at our other sites.” For more from Centiel, click here.

APR increases power generation capacity to 1.1GW

APR Energy, a US provider of fast-track mobile gas turbine power generation for data centres and utilities, has expanded its mobile power generation fleet after acquiring eight gas turbines, increasing its owned capacity from 850 MW to more than 1.1 GW. The company says the investment reflects rising demand from data centre developers and utilities that require short-term power to support growth while permanent grid connections are delayed. APR currently provides generation for several global customers, including a major artificial intelligence data centre operator. Across multiple regions, new transmission and grid reinforcement projects are taking years to deliver, creating a gap between available power and the needs of electricity-intensive facilities. APR reports growing enquiries from data centre operators that require capacity within months rather than years. Rapid deployment for interim power The company says its turbines can typically be delivered, installed, and brought online within 30 to 90 days, enabling organisations to progress construction schedules and maintain service reliability while longer-term infrastructure is built. Chuck Ferry, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of APR Energy, comments, “The demand we are seeing is immediate and substantial. “Data centres and utilities need dependable power now. Expanding our capacity allows us to meet that demand with speed, certainty, and proven execution.” APR states that the expanded fleet positions it to support data centre growth at a time when grid access remains constrained, combining rapid deployment with operational experience across international markets.

Vertiv launches new MegaMod HDX configurations

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, has introduced new configurations of its MegaMod HDX prefabricated power and liquid cooling system for high-density computing deployments in North America and EMEA. The units are designed for environments using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing and allow operators to increase power and cooling capacity as requirements rise. Vertiv states the configurations give organisations a way to manage greater thermal loads while maintaining deployment speed and reducing space requirements. The MegaMod HDX integrates direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-cooled systems to meet the demands of pod-based AI and GPU clusters. The compact configuration supports up to 13 racks with a maximum capacity of 1.25 MW, while the larger combo design supports up to 144 racks and power capacities up to 10 MW. Both are intended for rack densities from 50 kW to above 100 kW. Prefabricated scaling for high-density sites The hybrid architecture combines direct-to-chip cooling with air cooling as part of a prefabricated pod. According to Vertiv, a distributed redundant power design allows the system to continue operating if a module goes offline, and a buffer-tank thermal backup feature helps stabilise GPU clusters during maintenance or changes in load. The company positions the factory-assembled approach as a method of standardising deployment and planning and supporting incremental build-outs as data centre requirements evolve. The MegaMod HDX configurations draw on Vertiv’s existing power, cooling, and management portfolio, including the Liebert APM2 UPS (uninterruptible power supply), CoolChip CDU (cooling distribution unit), PowerBar busway system, and Unify infrastructure monitoring. Vertiv also offers compatible racks and OCP-compliant racks, CoolLoop RDHx rear door heat exchangers, CoolChip in-rack CDUs, rack power distribution units, PowerDirect in-rack DC power systems, and CoolChip Fluid Network Rack Manifolds. Viktor Petik, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions at Vertiv, says, “Today’s AI workloads demand cooling solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. "With the Vertiv MegaMod HDX available in both compact and combo solution configurations, organisations can match their facility requirements while supporting high-density, liquid-cooled environments at scale." For more from Vertiv, click here.

DCNN to host webinar with CRH

Resilient data centre infrastructure isn’t built at commissioning; it’s built at conception. DCNN and CRH, a US data centre construction specialist, are coming together for a powerful panel discussion exploring how early collaboration with building material providers and site engineers can shape smarter, stronger, and more sustainable data centres. The webinar, 'From the ground up: How future‑proofing data centres starts at the beginning of the project', is a must‑attend session for anyone involved in planning, designing, or delivering next‑generation facilities. Date: 19 February 2026Time: 3pm BST (10am EST)Location: Online (Zoom) Why join this webinar? • Understand how early‑stage decisions influence long‑term resilience • Hear directly from CRH’s global leaders in sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure delivery • Gain insights across the full project lifecycle - from planning to execution • Connect with experts shaping the future of data centre construction Meet the panel Moderator: Joe Peck, Assistant Editor, DCNN Frans Vreeswijk, VP Customer Solutions Strategy, CRH Americas Jenessa Miglietta, VP Sustainability & Innovation, CRH Americas Thomas Donoghue, VP Industry Innovation, CRH Group Attendees will gain insights into how local providers mitigate challenges and address critical issues, along with practical ideas for accelerating construction timelines. They will also learn strategies for expanding partnerships with essential suppliers. Click here to register now and be part of the conversation that starts at the foundation.

DE-CIX, Nomad Futurist partner to tackle skills gap

The Interconnection Academy, founded by internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX and the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, has formed a partnership with the Nomad Futurist Foundation, a nonprofit organisation advancing education in digital infrastructure, to widen access to free training covering networking, data centres, and interconnection. The collaboration aims to support skills development as digital infrastructure roles expand and organisations report difficulty filling technical posts. Industry research points to growing demand for skills in areas including networks, security, AI, and data, alongside an expected fall in available talent as experienced network engineers retire over the coming years. Through the agreement, both organisations will share selected online learning content and training modules, with new Interconnection Academy courses on networking and interconnection scheduled to launch in January and April 2026 and additional material planned later in the year. Shared content and new training pathways The Interconnection Academy is an online education initiative created to improve understanding of digital infrastructure and interconnection. It works with industry specialists and partner organisations to produce accessible technical and market-related material, aimed at supporting people entering the workforce as well as existing staff needing to update their knowledge. The Nomad Futurist Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on raising awareness of the digital infrastructure sector through education and engagement. Its associated academy provides introductory and specialist learning covering data centre development, interconnection, and related areas. As part of the agreement, selected modules - beginning with content explaining data centre infrastructure - will be made available through the Interconnection Academy platform. The partnership announcement coincides with meetings between the organisations in Hawaii on 16 and 17 January, where Interconnection Academy founder and DE-CIX Chief Executive Ivo Ivanov will take part in the annual PTC Beyond Masterclass educational programme. Ivo notes, “With the advent of AI, we are facing the newest industrial revolution, in which we will need to further up-skill and re-skill workers for tomorrow’s industries.” Yolandi Cloete, Manager of the Global Interconnection Academy, comments, “Working with the Nomad Futurist Foundation enables us to expand access to high-quality educational offerings and co-create and share industry-relevant learning modules with a trusted partner. "The two organisations are united by a shared passion for education and innovation in the digital infrastructure space.” Nabeel Mahmood, co-founder and CEO of the Nomad Futurist Foundation, adds, “Digital infrastructure touches every part of modern life, yet very few people truly understand how it works or the opportunities it creates. "By partnering with the Interconnection Academy, we’re bridging that gap, making complex concepts approachable, and helping people see a future for themselves in this industry. Education is the on-ramp to inclusion, innovation, and long-term impact.” For more from DE-CIX, click here.

SITE delivers modular DC on remote Atlantic island

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has announced the completion of a complex, modular, containerised data centre for a global telecommunications provider on a remote South Atlantic island. The facility will support mission-critical ground operations connecting customers to next-generation satellite and subsea backbone services. Located 1,800km west of mainland Africa, the remote island offers an effective operating profile for satellite connectivity, but presented formidable barriers including rugged volcanic terrain with no pre-existing access road, minimal local infrastructure, limited sea freight windows, and a single weekly flight subject to weather. The brief demanded a resilient, high-capacity facility capable of continuous operation in a corrosive coastal climate, delivered with meticulous risk management and zero compromise on safety or performance. Overcoming challenging logistics One of the defining aspects of this project was the logistical coordination required not just across continents, but in partnership with the local community. The island’s small population meant that everyone from hotel owners to logistics workers became part of the project in some way. The project created local employment opportunities and, the company says, fostered a sense of community pride in supporting a high-tech project. Given the island's limited flight availability (one flight per week, weather permitting), all deliveries, personnel scheduling, and construction phases had to be meticulously timed. The team also had to navigate unpredictable weather, which could delay flights and shipping schedules. A spokesperson for the client outlines, “This was such a crucial project for us. We did a huge amount of work ensuring we picked an experienced data centre builder that could cope with the challenges. "SITE supported us throughout the design phase, adapted to meet our needs, and created a very detailed plan for delivery and installation, focused on minimising risks. We are very pleased with the outcome.” SITE’s bespoke solution Initial design discussions to final commissioning took 12 months and was completed on time. SITE designed, manufactured, pre-built, and factory-tested a multi-container modular facility - comprising a main data room, a separate UPS/switch room, and lobby space - engineered specifically for the island’s conditions, including specially adapted air conditioning condensers, protective coatings, and materials to withstand high salinity levels and ocean spray. The architecture integrates high-density IT racks with cold-aisle containment, N+1 energy-efficient cooling, modular N+1 UPS, custom switchgear, fire detection and suppression, security systems (CCTV, access control, intruder alarms), fibre raceways, and full electrical infrastructure. All modules underwent integrated systems testing (IST) in the UK to ensure seamless on-site assembly and performance alignment once deployed. Chris Wellfair, Projects Director at SITE, comments, “This was an extraordinary project in every sense: remote location, complex logistics, and high client expectations. "Our modular approach and close collaboration with clients ensured a smooth delivery despite the odds. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud of.” For more from SITE, click here.

Janitza launches UMG 801 power analyser

Modern data centres often face a choice between designing electrical monitoring systems far beyond immediate needs or replacing equipment as sites expand. Janitza, a German manufacturer of energy measurement and power quality monitoring equipment, says its UMG 801 power analyser is designed to avoid this issue by allowing users to increase capacity from eight to 92 current measuring channels without taking systems offline. The analyser is suited to compact switchboards, with a fully expanded installation occupying less DIN rail space than traditional designs that rely on transformer disconnect terminals. Each add-on module introduces eight additional measuring channels within a single sub-unit, reducing physical footprint within crowded cabinets. Expandable monitoring with fewer installation constraints The core UMG 801 unit supports ten virtual module slots that can be populated in any mix. These include conventional transformer modules, low-power modules, and digital input modules. Bridge modules allow measurement points to be located up to 100 metres away without consuming module capacity, reducing wiring impact and installation complexity. Sampling voltage at 51.2 kHz, the analyser provides Class 0.2 accuracy across voltage, current, and energy readings. This level of precision is used in applications such as calculating power usage effectiveness (PUE) to two decimal places, as well as assessing harmonic distortion that may affect uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Voltage harmonic analysis extends to the 127th order, and transient events down to 18 microseconds can be recorded. Onboard memory of 4 GB also ensures data continuity during network disruptions. The system is compatible with ISO 50001 energy management frameworks and includes two ethernet interfaces that can operate simultaneously to provide redundant communication paths. Native OPC UA and Modbus TCP/IP support enable direct communication with energy management platforms and legacy supervisory control systems, while whitelisting functions restrict access to approved devices. RS-485 additionally provides further support for older infrastructure. Configuration is carried out through an integrated web server rather than proprietary software, and an optional remote display allows monitoring without opening energised cabinets. Installations typically start with a single base unit at the primary distribution level, with additional modules added gradually as demand grows, reducing the need for upfront expenditure and avoiding replacement activity that risks downtime. Janitza’s remote display connects via USB and mirrors the analyser’s interface, providing visibility of all measurement channels from the switchboard front panel. Physical push controls enable parameter navigation, helping users access configuration and measurement information without opening the enclosure. The company notes that carrying out upgrades without interrupting operations may support facilities that cannot accommodate downtime windows. For more from Janitza, cick here.

Integral triples capacity at Equinix SG1

Integral, a currency technology provider to the financial markets, has tripled the size of its presence at the Equinix SG1 data centre in Singapore to accommodate reported soaring regional demand. The company is also leveraging digital infrastructure company Equinix’s software-defined interconnection, Equinix Fabric, to establish private and direct connections to cloud services providers, as well as key partners and customers. This expansion comes amid increased transaction volumes and system load, with Integral now processing over one million tickets daily at Equinix SG1. Equinix operates a global network of over 270 International Business Exchange (IBX) facilities, providing infrastructure for advanced connectivity and colocation. Connecting clients in Asia-Pacific Integral’s SG1 data facility is employed to service clients not only based in Singapore, but across the Asia-Pacific. The news is directly correlated with the company’s growth in the region, with numerous client partnerships established in the past year. To service this expanding client base, Integral says it is committed to ongoing investment in infrastructure which "supports scalability, reliability, and optimal efficiency." Data is a crucial element of this dynamic and underpins the decision to triple infrastructure footprint at the SG1 data facility. The expansion aims to enable Integral to manage the increase in transaction volumes without a decline in speed or performance. Alongside Singapore (SG1), Integral also operates infrastructure within Equinix data centers in New York (NY4), Tokyo (TY4), and London (LD3). Yee May Leong, Managing Director, Singapore at Equinix, comments, "We are thrilled to support Integral in their significant expansion in SG1. This growth not only reflects Integral's commitment to meeting the soaring demand in the financial markets, but also underscores the trust they place in Equinix as a strategic partner. "Our robust finance ecosystem, combined with our global footprint and seamless access to leading cloud service providers, empowers Integral to deliver unparalleled performance and reliability to their clients across the Asia-Pacific region. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration and enabling Integral to thrive in this dynamic landscape." Harpal Sandhu, CEO of Integral, adds, “For over three decades, Integral has remained resolute in its support of the growing institutional and retail trading landscape across APAC, increasing our established customer base and strengthening the local liquidity ecosystem. "Singapore has been a key market for accelerating our regional presence, and the expansion of our SG1 data facility represents our commitment to ensuring our clients have access to the most sophisticated and agile cloud-based infrastructure possible.”

NorthC to build new data centre in Geneva

NorthC Group, a data centre operator in Northwest Europe, will begin construction of a new data centre in Geneva, Switzerland in Q1 of this year. The new facility will be built at The Hive campus, a technology park just outside Geneva. This will be NorthC’s sixth data centre in Switzerland, in addition to its existing data centres in Biel (Bern), Winterthur (Zurich) and Münchenstein (Basel), as well as the recently announced and yet-to-be-built data centre on the uptownBasel campus in Arlesheim (Basel). The total IT capacity will be 4.5 MW, delivered in phases of 1.5 MW, and the data centre will have a total floor area of 5,400 m², with construction expected to be completed by Q2 2028. NorthC says it will prioritise sustainability in constructing the new data centre "by implementing innovative technologies." The facility will use 100% green power, consistent with all of NorthC's data centres, and its cooling system will require no water. Additionally, backup generators will operate on HVO100, a fossil-free fuel made from renewable materials such as vegetable oils and waste fats. Designed for AI The new data centre will be designed to support emerging technologies (such as inference applications) through direct-to-chip (D2C) liquid cooling, which dissipates heat from computer chips more efficiently than traditional methods. Alexandra Schless, CEO of NorthC Group, comments, “Geneva is an important commercial and economic hub in Switzerland, alongside the Basel and Zurich regions. Demand for digital services - and, consequently, for data centre capacity - is growing rapidly. "This makes Geneva a logical location for NorthC to build a new data centre. The proximity to the renowned scientific research centre, CERN, also offers new opportunities for collaboration in scientific research and innovation, including AI.” Modular design and readiness for residual heat exchange The new Geneva data centre will be built according to NorthC’s standard blueprint design, which is based on modular construction, meaning additional modules can be added and activated as demand increases. This approach often results in more efficient energy consumption and enables rapid scaling. The data centre will also have a direct, high-speed data connection to NorthC’s other locations in Switzerland, providing customers in the region with fast access to services running at other locations. The construction, led by HIAG, a Swiss real estate developer, aims to ensure that the Geneva data centre is designed with sustainability at its core. Like almost all of NorthC's data centres, the Geneva facility will be prepared to support the exchange of residual heat. At The Hive campus, where the data centre is being built, this heat will be used to supply nearby buildings. The facility is also being prepared for a potential future connection to the district heating network operated by the local energy company. For more from NorthC, click here.