FiveNines partners on 20MW Morocco data centre

FiveNines Group, a London-based data centre design, engineering, and construction firm, has partnered with Nexus Core Systems to oversee the development of a 20MW data centre near Casablanca, Morocco, designed for high-density AI computing. The facility will use Nvidia’s Vera Rubin Cloud Partner Reference Architecture. FiveNines has been appointed to lead design management, technical governance, consultant coordination, constructability, and procurement strategy. Gerry Curran, CEO of FiveNines Group, says, “We are delighted to partner with Nexus Core Systems in order to construct an advanced data centre in North Africa. "This project will bring together our international data centre expertise with Moroccan architects, engineers, technical advisers, and relevant authorities. It further demonstrates the capability of FiveNines Group to undertake critical infrastructure projects of the highest standard alongside global industry leaders.” FiveNines will coordinate the early-stage development process, covering briefing, feasibility, design strategy, and concept design. The aim is to prepare a coordinated design package for engagement with the relevant authorities and submission of permit applications. Bastian Remmlinger, Head of Infrastructure at Nexus Core Systems, comments, “We are very pleased with the cooperation and services FiveNines Group has provided so far. "Their team has supported us well as we shape the design and delivery approach for the Morocco data centre. We look forward to continuing our work together on this ambitious project.” The project team will also work with lead design consultant Zutari; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) consultant R&B MEP; and substation delivery partner Fonto Energy. Data centre forms part of wider AI development The 20MW facility will form part of the wider Nexus AI Factory Platform, which is being developed by Nexus Core Systems and its international partners. The platform has a target capacity of 180MW and is intended to run entirely on renewable energy. The Nexus AI Factory was announced in April 2026 at GITEX Africa Morocco in Marrakesh, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Moroccan authorities. The project forms part of Morocco’s plans to establish itself as a regional centre for artificial intelligence. FiveNines Group, meanwhile, operates across several international markets, including northern and central Europe. The UK-headquartered company recently announced the completion of a 9.6MW data centre in Austria for a hyperscale client.

Supporting decommissioning through refrigerant recovery

As demand for AI, cloud-based services, and high-performance computing continues to grow, the UK data centre landscape is changing rapidly. Larger, more energy-intensive facilities are being developed to meet future digital infrastructure requirements, while some older and smaller data centres are being decommissioned, repurposed, or replaced. As part of a wider demolition project linked to the closure of a data centre, A‑Gas Rapid Recovery was appointed to safely recover refrigerant from cooling equipment before the site was stripped out, preventing the release of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants into the atmosphere and keeping valuable product in circulation. The challenge Data centres rely on cooling systems to maintain critical operating conditions. When these systems are decommissioned, refrigerant must be recovered safely, efficiently, and in line with F-Gas requirements. Releasing refrigerant into the atmosphere is not only harmful to the environment but also represents the loss of a valuable resource that can be reclaimed and reused. In this case, the project formed part of a broader demolition programme following the planned closure of the data centre. The customer required a specialist recovery partner capable of working safely within a complex site environment whilst helping ensure that high GWP refrigerants were captured and managed responsibly. The solution A-Gas Rapid Recovery provided an on-site refrigerant recovery solution, using specialist equipment and experienced engineers to recover refrigerant from the data centre’s cooling systems. By carrying out the recovery work ahead of demolition, A-Gas helped ensure that the refrigerant was removed safely and that the customer could progress the wider site closure project with confidence. The recovered refrigerant was managed in line with A-Gas’s Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM) philosophy, which focuses on recovering, reclaiming, and repurposing refrigerant wherever possible. This approach helps reduce the need for virgin product, supports circularity, and ensures refrigerants are kept in use for as long as possible. The results • Recovered over one tonne of high-GWP refrigerants from the data centre site• Prevented refrigerant from being released into the atmosphere• Supported the wider demolition programme by enabling the safe decommissioning of cooling equipment• Kept valuable refrigerant product in circulation through responsible recovery and onward lifecycle management• Demonstrated how data centre closure projects can support both compliance and circular economy goals Jake Matthews, Head of Gas Acquisition at A-Gas, says, “Recovering refrigerant is critical to reducing emissions and protecting valuable resources. Every kilogram we recover is a kilogram prevented from being released into the atmosphere, helping our customers meet their environmental responsibilities while supporting a more circular approach to refrigerant management.” Why it matters The growth of AI and cloud-based services is increasing demand for modern data centre infrastructure. As the market evolves, older facilities may be closed, replaced, or upgraded to meet new requirements around capacity, power density, and efficiency. These transition points create an important opportunity to recover refrigerants responsibly and reduce the environmental impact of decommissioning activity. By partnering with A-Gas Rapid Recovery, customers can ensure that refrigerants are captured efficiently, handled compliantly, and directed into appropriate recovery, reclamation, or reuse pathways. For more from A-Gas, click here.

BCS Consultancy launches data centre power division

BCS Consultancy, a global data centre consultancy, has launched a new Power Infrastructure division to help investors, developers, and operators address power requirements for data centre developments. Formerly operating as BCS’s Utilities team, the division reflects changes in the scale and complexity of power requirements as data centre development increases, driven in part by AI and more power-intensive workloads. Electricity network capacity, grid connection times, planning requirements, and infrastructure delivery are increasingly influencing whether proposed data centre developments can progress from the pipeline to operational capacity. BCS’s Data Centre Truths 2026 research found that 93% of industry respondents expect demand to continue rising, despite power supply becoming harder to secure. The consultancy says power availability is increasingly influencing site selection and investment decisions, with grid access alone no longer sufficient. Developers also need to establish whether power can be delivered to a site within a commercially viable timeframe. The Power Infrastructure division builds on more than 50 power infrastructure projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as other regions. Its work covers power strategy and grid connections through to substations, cable routes, microgrids, and other power infrastructure. Led by Cameron Thompson (pictured above), previously Head of Utilities and now Head of Power Infrastructure at BCS Consultancy, the team will work with investors, landowners, developers, and operators from early-stage power planning through to infrastructure delivery. With some grid connection offers now extending into the 2030s, BCS is also working on alternative and transitional power strategies, including combinations of on-site generation, solar, and battery storage alongside longer-term grid connections. Power planning moves earlier in development Cameron Thompson, Head of Power Infrastructure at BCS Consultancy, says, “Power has always been fundamental to data centre development, but the conversation has shifted. Clients are coming to us much earlier, asking how they can make sites viable within the timeframes they need. “Power Infrastructure reflects that shift. By bringing strategy and delivery together, we can give clients a clear route to power, from early planning through to an energised site.” The division will coordinate power programmes across network operators, designers, original equipment manufacturers, contractors, land and planning teams, and other stakeholders. BCS says this coordination is becoming more important as power programmes increase in complexity, with delays often arising at the interfaces between grid connections and delivery. These can include design approvals, cable routes and land rights, long-lead equipment, civil engineering readiness, commissioning, and network witnessing. Chris Coward, COO of BCS Consultancy, comments, “Power increasingly determines where and when data centre projects can happen and, ultimately, whether they are commercially viable. "As the market shifts from announcing capacity to proving what can actually be delivered, clients need much greater certainty earlier in the development process. “Expanding our Power Infrastructure capability is a direct response to that shift. By combining specialist power strategy with our data centre land intelligence and delivery expertise, we can help clients make better decisions from the outset and support them all the way through to delivery and energisation.” For more from BCS Consultancy, click here.

Why water hygiene is key to data centre efficiency

AI is driving higher rack densities and increasing thermal loads, placing unprecedented demands on cooling infrastructure. In this exclusive article for DCNN, Gary Nicholls (pictured above), Managing Director of Swiftclean, discusses how proactive water quality management can help data centres maximise the efficient life of critical assets whilst improving operational resilience: According to the Uptime Institute, average rack power density increased by 38% between 2022 and 2024, largely down to the launch of generative AI to a mainstream audience. We are now on an irreversible trajectory that will continue to compound thermal and energy pressures on data centres and the systems that keep them cool. As the margin for error shrinks, cooling infrastructure must be managed with the same focus on reliability and resilience as other mission-critical systems. Many data centres are moving to liquid-based cooling systems that can manage rising thermal loads, so water quality plays a fundamental role in maintaining performance and reliability. With 40% of power usage in a data centre going towards cooling on average, and with water increasingly becoming the primary means of achieving appropriate temperatures, water hygiene is essential and can have a significant impact on operational efficiency and cost. Water quality: The hidden performance factor Closed-loop water systems are a critical part of many data centre cooling infrastructures, circulating treated water through chillers, heat exchangers, cooling distribution units, and associated pipework. Although these systems are designed to operate continuously for long periods, they remain vulnerable to gradual deterioration. Oxygen ingress, depleted corrosion inhibitors, microbiological activity, and the accumulation of suspended solids can all affect water quality over time. The result is a gradual decline in system performance, with corrosion, scale, and fouling reducing heat transfer efficiency and increasing the workload placed on pumps and other components. Equally as important, poor water hygiene can also affect system reliability. Corrosion and contamination can contribute to component degradation, increasing the potential for leaks, equipment damage, and unplanned downtime. Investing in advanced cooling technology is one part of the solution, but it does not guarantee long-term performance alone. Protecting both efficiency and reliability requires ongoing water testing and treatment to maintain the condition of the water circulating through the system. Why water sampling matters Because closed-loop cooling systems often operate quietly in the background, changes in water condition can go unnoticed until cooling performance begins to decline. By this stage, deterioration may already be affecting heat transfer efficiency or the condition of critical components. Regular water testing for microbial activity provides operators with visibility into system health, allowing changes in water quality to be identified before they become operational issues. Samples can be analysed for key indicators including poor water chemistry and a range of different bacteria. Water treatment is a lifecycle process Water Treatment for Closed Heating and Cooling Systems (BG 50/2021) provides best practice guidance for monitoring and maintaining closed circuits, including chilled water systems and closed condenser water systems. The guidance highlights the importance of corrosion control, pH management, dissolved gases, suspended solids, filtration, and microbiological control in maintaining system performance. BG 50 also reinforces that water treatment is not a one-off activity but a lifecycle process involving commissioning, testing, monitoring, and adjustment throughout the operational life of the system. For mission-critical environments such as data centres, this proactive approach supports equipment protection, energy efficiency, and operational resilience. Specialist expertise in mission-critical environments The increasing complexity of data centre infrastructure also places greater demands on those responsible for maintaining cooling systems. In high-security facilities, access to critical infrastructure is tightly controlled and maintenance windows are often limited. Specialist contractors must, therefore, combine technical expertise with robust security procedures and careful planning to ensure essential water treatment and testing activities can be completed efficiently without affecting site security or operational continuity. As AI continues to increase the demands placed on data centre cooling systems, water hygiene should be treated as an operational risk control measure rather than a routine maintenance activity. Through regular water testing, effective treatment strategies, and proactive maintenance, operators can preserve thermal performance, extend equipment life, and reduce the likelihood of cooling-related downtime.

Henkel publishes latest edition of Uniquely Wired

Uniquely Wired is a curiosity-driven platform for people who think about connectivity for a living. Across the podcast, the print magazine, and conferences worldwide, Henkel, a German manufacturer of adhesives, sealants, and consumer brands like Schwarzkopf and Pritt, explores the breakthroughs, bottlenecks, and big shifts defining data telecom, semiconductors, AI, and automation. No borders between disciplines, no ceiling on where the thinking goes, just the people whose brains push the industry forward, talking to people like them. https://youtube.com/shorts/5p-h9g2ZvBY?si=MCldvEzOOm6KB8zm In Henkel's brand-new Volume 2 of the magazine, futurist Bernard Marr reflects on how fast an industry can really move before something breaks. Beyond this, Vishal Kirti of Cisco Systems gets into the silicon behind the internet, Agnes Heftberger talks about Germany's path to becoming an AI powerhouse, and half a dozen other engineers and leaders present a genuinely different way of seeing where this is all heading. Connectivity is everything, and Uniquely Wired Volume 2 proves it. Download it now!

Navitas, Microchip develop 800V reference design

Navitas Semiconductor, a US maker of gallium nitride and silicon carbide power chips for AI data centres, and semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology have collaborated on an 800V DC-to-6V DC reference design for AI data centre rack power applications. As AI data centres scale to support high-power GPU clusters, the industry is moving towards 800V DC rack power architectures to improve distribution efficiency, increase power density, and support higher-power server designs. The reference design combines Microchip’s digital power control and security technologies with Navitas’s gallium nitride (GaN) power devices. The companies say it provides developers with a route to implementing power conversion aligned with the Open Compute Project (OCP) 800V DC standard. The reference platform includes hardware, software, and design documentation intended to support the development of 800V DC power conversion systems. Joe Thomsen, Corporate Vice President of Microchip's Digital Signal Controller Business Unit, says, "AI infrastructure optimisation is driving one of the most significant power architecture transitions the data centre industry has experienced in decades. "As the ecosystem moves towards higher-voltage rack power systems, developers need proven building blocks that help reduce design risk and accelerate innovation. "Our collaboration with Navitas brings together complementary technologies to help customers navigate this transition and bring next-generation power solutions to market more quickly." Direct 800V-to-6V conversion The reference platform uses Microchip’s digital signal controllers and hardware security technology alongside Navitas’s GaN power devices. The primary side uses 16 GaN FETs in a stacked half-bridge topology. The dual-side-cooled package is designed to reduce thermal resistance, supporting higher continuous power operation. The power delivery board targets peak efficiency of up to 96% at full load, with a switching frequency of 1MHz and a power density of 2,100W/in³. The low-profile design is intended to enable close integration with GPU boards, supporting transient performance and power distribution efficiency. The design uses direct conversion from 800V DC to 6V DC, combining the 800V DC-to-50V DC and 50V DC-to-6V DC conversion stages into a single converter. The reference design also incorporates Microchip’s hardware-based security technology to support authentication and protection within power infrastructure. The technology supports functions including secure boot, Message Authentication Code generation, trusted firmware updates, key management protocols including Transport Layer Security (TLS), and other root-of-trust operations. It will be showcased at Microchip’s OCP Event in San Jose, California, USA, from 12–15 October 2026, and a reference board, software, and supporting documentation will also be provided to help developers evaluate 800V DC power conversion systems for AI data centre applications.

Schneider Electric appoints new SVP in Europe

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has appointed Damien Dhellemmes as Senior Vice President of its Secure Power and Data Center business in Europe. Damien has more than 30 years of experience at Schneider Electric, including senior operational and supply chain roles in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Schneider Electric’s Digital Energy business globally, where he worked on digital transformation through software, automation, and energy management. During his time in Digital Energy, the business saw reported growth and demand across areas including healthcare, public administration, real estate, and data centres. Having recently relocated to Paris, Damien will lead Schneider Electric’s Secure Power and Data Center business across Europe, working with customers, partners, and regional teams as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. His responsibilities will include Schneider Electric’s prefabricated power and three-phase UPS technologies, its EcoStruxure Data Center portfolio, Motivair by Schneider Electric liquid cooling systems, and EcoStruxure Software and Services. He will also work with the company’s existing AI ecosystem partnerships, including NVIDIA and AMD. New appointment for data centre growth Damien comments, "The data centre industry has entered one of the most exciting and demanding periods in its history and Europe has a unique opportunity to lead the next wave of AI leadership. "As the global energy technology partner for data centres and AI, Schneider Electric is perfectly positioned to help partners and customers capture demand. By combining our expertise across power, cooling, software, and services with our longstanding ecosystem partnerships, our customers can build infrastructure that is not only faster and more resilient from inception, but more efficient and sustainable.” Schneider Electric says Damien's operational and customer experience will support its work with customers deploying AI infrastructure, including efforts to reduce project risk and integrate power, cooling, software, and services. His tenure as Senior Vice President, Secure Power and Data Centers for Europe begins with immediate effect. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Epsilon, Megaport expand North American network reach

Epsilon Telecommunications, a global connectivity provider offering network, cloud, and colocation services, and Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider Megaport have partnered to expand Epsilon’s network footprint in North America. The partnership allows customers to access Megaport’s compute, network, and storage infrastructure across the USA and Canada through Epsilon, with software-defined connectivity to data centre, cloud, and internet exchange hubs across the region. North America is expected to account for 43% of a global addressable IT market worth more than $6 trillion (£4.5 trillion) in 2026, according to Omdia. The companies say their partnership provides on-demand connectivity across their software-defined networks, in response to demand for connectivity between key markets in the USA and Canada. Customers can access additional destinations through a single connectivity service, whether expanding within North America or entering the region from international markets. Warren Aw, Chief Commercial Officer at Epsilon, comments, “North America is a key market for our customers, with growing demand for high-performance access to cloud, data centres, and digital infrastructure across the region. “By partnering with Megaport, we’re simplifying how our customers can connect and accelerate their growth in the United States and Canada. Together, we’re hugely expanding the opportunities available to our customers and making global connectivity more seamless than ever.” Connectivity across North America The partnership enables cloud access across North America, bringing applications closer to customers and their users, whilst allowing cloud regions to be connected on demand. It also supports content delivery across markets and business continuity through geographically redundant backup environments. Misha Cetrone, Executive VP, NAM & Global Alliances at Megaport, says, “Our collaboration with Epsilon brings together two complementary platforms to give customers more choice in how and where they connect. “We’re combining our strengths for unparalleled global connectivity, while creating new compute, network, and storage possibilities for businesses around the world. We’re excited to help more customers connect and grow across North America with our automated, globally connected infrastructure platform.” Epsilon and Megaport say organisations in Europe, Asia Pacific, and other international markets can also use the connectivity service to expand into North America and scale workloads across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. For more from Epsilon, click here.

DataX Connect salary survey finds data centre pay gaps

UK data centre recruitment company DataX Connect has released the results of its 2026 Data Centre Salary Survey, drawing on responses from more than 1,700 data centre professionals across the UK, Europe, and the USA. The findings indicate a mobile talent market in which salary remains an important consideration, whilst career development, benefits, and progression are increasingly influencing decisions to stay with an employer or move elsewhere. The research also proposes a gender disparity, with more than 46% of women surveyed in Europe saying their gender had negatively affected their compensation or career progression. Almost four in 10 professionals in permanent roles in both Europe and the USA plan to change companies in the next 12 months, despite 65% of European and 71% of US respondents receiving a salary increase over the past year. In Europe, career development is the biggest reason for considering a move, while salary remains the leading factor in the USA, with career development close behind. Key findings include: • Pay rises do not guarantee retention: 38.8% of permanent professionals in Europe and 37.8% in the USA plan to change companies in the next 12 months. In Europe, career development is the biggest reason for considering a move, cited by 36.0% of respondents, while in the USA salary leads at 31.4%, followed by career development at 29.5%. • Gender continues to affect pay and progression: Nearly half of women surveyed say their gender has affected their pay or career progression, with 97% of those reporting a negative impact. The figure is 46.4% among women in Europe and 51.4% in the USA, compared with 1.7% of men in Europe and 2.2% in the USA. • Adjacent industries provide a potential talent pool: 41.7% of European respondents worked in energy or semiconductor/pharmaceutical roles before entering the data centre sector. In the USA, 36.9% came from energy or military backgrounds. • Benefit preferences vary by region: Shares, stocks, or equity are the most requested additional benefit in Europe, selected by 30.3% of respondents. In the USA, car or fuel allowance is the most requested (at 38.1%). Career development emerges as a key factor The findings of the 2026 Salary Survey point to opportunities for employers and professionals, whilst also highlighting changing expectations around benefits, career progression, and recruitment. Salary remains an important factor, but the survey indicates that employers may need to consider what employees value beyond pay, while also creating clearer routes for progression and looking beyond traditional data centre backgrounds when recruiting. Andy Davis, Director at DataX Connect and Data eXec, and host of the Inside Data Centre Podcast, comments, "The biggest takeaway from this year's Salary Survey is that there isn't one simple answer to the talent challenge. Pay is important, but so is career progression, the benefits people value, and, increasingly, where the skills we need actually exist. "The challenge now is turning that insight into better decisions around where we recruit, how we attract people, and how we retain them. Nearly half of women in our survey say their gender has affected their pay or career progression, and one of the clearest drivers is the lack of visible female role models in senior data centre roles. If people can't see a path for themselves, they're far less likely to stick around and carve one out. Closing that gap, and the gender pay gap alongside it, is vital to the future of this industry." The full 2026 Data Centre Salary Survey reports for Europe and the USA are available from the DataX Connect website. For more from DataX Connect, click here.

atNorth to develop 230MW data centre in Finland

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, has announced plans to develop a new data centre in Salo, Finland, with 75MW of power secured for the first phase and a potential capacity of up to 230MW across the wider site. The FIN05 data centre will be developed on a 28.6-hectare site, which will connect through a Fingrid substation. atNorth says Salo offers access to connectivity, resilience, and Finland’s digital talent pool, as well as proximity to Helsinki. The company expects to invest approximately €2 billion (£1.6 billion) in the site, excluding customer-owned servers and their installation, which could represent a further investment of up to €10 billion (£8.4 billion). atNorth plans to enter into long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with local energy suppliers, alongside flexibility measures intended to support the operation of Fingrid’s transmission grid. It will also work with local stakeholders to explore opportunities to reuse heat generated by the data centre. Supporting local energy and economic development The project builds on atNorth’s existing heat reuse collaborations with Kesko Corporation in Finland, Stockholm Exergi in Sweden, and Vestforbrænding and Selected Group in Denmark. Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, says, “FIN05 is an opportunity to develop critical digital infrastructure while working with the region to create lasting local value. “We are exploring how local energy partnerships, flexibility solutions, and heat reuse can contribute to the wider energy system and community. We look forward to working with Salo and regional partners as the project develops.” Salo Mayor Anna-Kristiina Korhonen has suggested the development would create employment opportunities during construction and ongoing operations, whilst also generating wider economic benefits for local businesses. Matti-Juho Ervasti, Partner at Regant Oy, has noted that the project demonstrates Salo’s potential for major digital infrastructure investment, adding that the site has the scale, planning readiness, and power roadmap required for large data centre projects. FIN05 is part of atNorth’s wider Nordic investment programme, alongside developments in Stockholm and Sollefteå in Sweden, Haugaland in Norway, Ølgod in Denmark, and Kouvola in Finland. For more from atNorth, click here.