Green Horizon secures approval for Norway data centre

Green Horizon, a Norwegian developer of hydropower-backed, AI-ready data centres, has received planning approval for Norway 1, a 36MW data centre development near Stavanger that is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2027. The approval follows the earlier granting of zoning permission for the site and allows the Norwegian developer to progress to final design and construction. The company is currently working with consultants and contractors ahead of a planned construction start later this year. Located on Norway's southwest coast, Norway 1 is being developed as a carrier-neutral and cloud-neutral facility designed to provide connectivity to the UK, mainland Europe, and onward routes to North America. The facility will be built to Tier III standards and is designed to support high-density AI, GPU, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. Green Horizon says the site will include two 'Meet-Me Rooms', diverse connectivity options, and access to multiple network providers. Norway 1 forms the first phase of the company's wider data centre platform in the Stavanger region, where 96MW of power capacity has been secured across three planned developments. The company says the facility will be powered by renewable hydropower and is targeting a power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.1 at full load. Heat reuse strategy integrated into design A key element of the project is its heat reuse strategy. Green Horizon plans to supply excess heat generated by the data centre to both a new greenhouse that will be integrated into the facility's design and an existing commercial greenhouse located adjacent to the site. According to the company, the new greenhouse will be constructed directly above the data centre, enabling waste heat to be reused as part of a wider symbiosis partnership with Norway's largest greenhouse operator. The concept has been technically validated and approved by the local municipality. Operations at the site will be supported by CBRE, which will provide operational services and monitoring. Richard Rettedal, CEO of Green Horizon, comments, "Securing planning approval for Norway 1 marks a major milestone for Green Horizon and for our ambition to build Norway’s AI data centre platform. "Customers deploying AI and high-performance compute need dependable capacity, resilience, and a clear route to scale. Norway 1 is designed to deliver high-density infrastructure powered by renewable hydropower, with heat reuse enabled by design, supporting both lower-cost operation and a lower operational footprint. "We’re proud that this project will contribute to the local community and bring new, renewable powered capacity to the market." The €300 million (£259 million) development is expected to create around 400 construction jobs during the build phase and contribute additional renewable-powered data centre capacity to Norway's digital infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin later in 2026, with the facility targeted to become operational in the second half of 2027.

ABB launches grid stability package for data centres

ABB, a multinational corporation specialising in industrial automation and electrification products, has introduced a pre-engineered synchronous condenser package designed to help data centre operators address grid stability challenges associated with growing AI workloads and increasing power demand. The company says the modular system is intended to support power network stability at grid connection points, helping operators connect new capacity while maintaining reliable power system performance. As AI adoption increases, data centres are placing greater demands on electricity networks. Large and rapidly changing power loads can affect voltage and frequency stability, creating challenges for both grid operators and data centre developers seeking new connections. ABB's synchronous condenser package is designed to provide instantaneous inertia and dynamic reactive power, helping to stabilise voltage and frequency during sudden changes in demand. According to ABB, the pre-engineered design is intended to simplify deployment by reducing engineering requirements, installation complexity, and project delivery times. The package combines a synchronous condenser, flywheel, starting system, lubrication system, cooling infrastructure, auxiliary equipment, e-house, and optional noise enclosure within a standardised design. The flywheel includes an integrated safety enclosure and is designed specifically to support electrical network stabilisation. Supporting AI-driven power demands ABB says the solution can help operators address grid stability requirements earlier in the development process, potentially simplifying approvals and supporting future capacity expansion without significant changes to core power infrastructure. The company also states that providing mechanical, electrical, and control systems through a single supplier can reduce on-site integration requirements and streamline project delivery. David Bjerharg, Business Line Manager, High Speed Synchronous at ABB, notes, "As data centres become increasingly widespread and AI-driven demand increases, grid stability is becoming a fundamental requirement for ongoing expansion. "This solution enables operators to connect faster, operate reliably from day one, and scale with confidence." The launch reflects growing industry focus on power infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven facilities, where high-density computing workloads can create significant fluctuations in electricity demand. ABB says the synchronous condenser package is intended to support long-term infrastructure performance while helping operators deploy new data centre capacity more efficiently. For more from ABB, click here.

AMD commits £2bn to UK AI infrastructure

AMD, an American multinational semiconductor company, has announced plans to invest up to £2 billion in the UK over the next five years to support computing infrastructure, AI research, and technology development. The investment, announced during London Tech Week, includes collaborations with government, academia, and industry aimed at expanding access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources and supporting the UK's AI ambitions. AMD says the initiative aligns with the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan and AI Hardware Strategy, which seek to strengthen the country's AI infrastructure, skills base, and adoption of AI technologies. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, explains, "The United Kingdom has the talent, research excellence, and ambition to help lead the next era of AI. "AMD is proud to deepen our commitment to the UK and work with partners across government, academia, and industry to expand access to the compute infrastructure needed to advance sovereign AI, accelerate discovery, and drive long-term economic growth." The announcement was welcomed by government ministers, who highlighted the potential impact on AI research, skills development, and economic growth. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, says, "This investment is a major vote of confidence in Britain’s place as a global AI superpower. We’ve got the talent, the world-class universities, and the ambition to lead, and partnerships like this help turn that potential into real progress. "It will drive more cutting-edge research here in the UK, open up opportunities for people to build the skills they need for the jobs of the future, and speed up breakthroughs that can improve people’s lives and grow our economy." New partnerships to support AI research As part of the investment programme, AMD has announced a collaboration with Imperial College London focused on computational science and research areas that require large-scale computing resources, including healthcare and climate modelling. The organisations also plan to explore ways to optimise AI models, scientific workflows, and data-intensive applications using AMD hardware and its ROCm software platform. AMD is also working with Oriole Networks as part of the UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency's (ARIA) Scaling Inference Lab initiative. The project will combine Oriole's photonic networking technology with AMD GPUs and processors to investigate new approaches for scaling AI inference workloads while improving performance and energy efficiency. According to AMD, the initiative could contribute to the development of what is expected to be the world's first large-scale AI system built on a pure photonic network. Expanding UK AI supercomputing capacity AMD and Dell Technologies are also supporting the University of Cambridge's growing AI infrastructure programme, including the Zenith AI supercomputer and the Sunrise fusion AI system being developed with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Zenith is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UK Research and Innovation, while Sunrise is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and will support fusion energy research. The systems will be used across a range of 'AI-for-science' applications, including healthcare research, climate modelling, materials science, engineering simulation, fusion research, and AI model development. Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, says, "This investment reflects the strength of Britain’s talent, research, and ambition in AI, but also the infrastructure we are putting in place to match it. "With world-class chip designers, leading universities, and partners such as AMD choosing to invest here, we are building the compute capability needed to power innovation, drive growth, create jobs, and ensure the most advanced AI technologies are developed in the UK." AMD says it will continue working with partners across government, academia, and industry to expand computing capacity and support future scientific and technological research in the UK. For more from AMD, click here.

Siemens, Infineon partner on data centre circuit protection

German multinational technology company Siemens and German semiconductor manufacturing company Infineon Technologies have partnered to develop electrical protection technology for data centres, industrial facilities, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Under the agreement, Infineon will supply silicon carbide (SiC) power modules for use in Siemens's SENTRON 3QD2 semiconductor circuit breakers, designed to improve efficiency, power density, and reliability in power distribution systems. According to the companies, growing electrification and the increasing complexity of AI data centres and industrial operations are driving demand for faster and more reliable electrical protection. A semiconductor circuit breaker, also known as a solid-state circuit breaker, is designed to protect electrical circuits from excessive current caused by faults such as short circuits and overloads. Unlike conventional electromechanical breakers, which use mechanical components to interrupt current flow, semiconductor-based devices use electronic components and control algorithms to react significantly faster. Siemens says the SENTRON 3QD2 can interrupt current in the microsecond range, making it suitable for direct current (DC) power systems where rapid fault isolation is required to minimise downtime and equipment damage. Andreas Weisl, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of Industrial and Infrastructure at Infineon, notes, "AI data centres and factories are becoming increasingly electrified and complex. "This increases vulnerability to electrical failures and drives the demand for more sustainable, efficient, and reliable power distribution systems. "By combining our advanced silicon carbide technology with Siemens's expertise in power distribution, we are addressing this demand to ensure fast, safe, and reliable operations in power-critical environments." Growing interest in DC power systems The collaboration centres on Infineon's CoolSiC MOSFET power module, which has been integrated into Siemens's semiconductor circuit breaker platform. The companies say the technology supports the wider adoption of DC power distribution systems, which are gaining attention in industrial environments and data centres because of their potential efficiency benefits and ability to integrate more effectively with battery storage systems. Markus Grabmeier, CEO Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, comments, "Our new direct current portfolio offers innovative solutions that not only improve energy efficiency but also enable the development of resilient, future-proof infrastructure. "Direct current applications can decrease energy consumption and substantially cut material usage. By integrating batteries, peak power can also be significantly reduced. "With this approach, we are making a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of our industries, while reinforcing our commitment to developing technologies that deliver tangible value to our customers and society." The companies state that the partnership is intended to support the growing requirements of power-critical environments where electrical protection systems must operate quickly and reliably to maintain availability and reduce the risk of service disruption. A demonstration of the SENTRON 3QD2 semiconductor circuit breaker will be showcased at PCIM Europe 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, from 9–11 June. For more from Siemens, click here.

Nebius selects Kao Data for UK AI deployment

Dutch AI cloud company Nebius has signed a 10-year agreement with Kao Data, a data centre developer and operator, to deploy 22MW of AI infrastructure at the company's data centre campus in Harlow, Essex. The deployment will support AI cloud services in the UK and forms part of Nebius's wider expansion plans, including a recently announced £1.7 billion investment in UK AI infrastructure. Nebius will host its AI cloud platform and Nebius Token Factory inference service at Kao Data's Harlow campus, which has been designed to support AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. According to the companies, the agreement will provide additional computing capacity for organisations across the UK's research, academic, and enterprise sectors, while supporting the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan. Spencer Lamb, CEO of Kao Data, says, "Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Kao Data portfolio and a landmark moment in the UK’s AI ambitions. "Nebius is an impressive global AI cloud operator, and we are delighted to welcome such a significant deployment into our Harlow data centre campus. "This partnership proves that despite challenging macroeconomic circumstances, demand for industrial-scale, UK-based, cutting-edge AI remains high, with Kao Data the perfect platform for the latest AI workloads." Expansion of UK AI computing capacity Nebius provides cloud infrastructure designed for AI model training, deployment, and inference. Part of the new capacity at Harlow will support Nebius Token Factory, the company's inference platform for deploying and managing open AI models at scale. Andrey Korolenko, Chief Product and Infrastructure Officer at Nebius, comments, "We’re pleased to be continuing our expansion in the UK with Kao Data. "The UK is a major destination for AI and is becoming an important part of Nebius’s global footprint. By bringing dedicated capacity to support inference workloads, we can enable UK AI builders and enterprises to achieve their AI goals." Kao Data says the Harlow campus is powered by renewable energy and supported by HVO-powered backup generators. Its KLON-03 facility also incorporates direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology designed to support high-density AI infrastructure while reducing water consumption. The company states that the site already hosts a large concentration of AI, academic research, and life sciences computing workloads. It adds that the Nebius deployment is expected to further strengthen Harlow's position as a centre for AI infrastructure in the UK, as demand for GPU-accelerated computing continues to grow. Kao Data is also reportedly progressing planned facilities in Park Royal, West London, and Greater Manchester. For more from Kao Data, click here.

NetApp helps Aston Martin accelerate data-driven operations

Modern Formula One teams are increasingly reliant on data to drive performance, with engineers processing vast quantities of information from cars, simulations, and trackside operations in real time. As the volume and complexity of this data continues to grow, the ability to move, manage, and analyse information efficiently has become a critical competitive advantage. For the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, this challenge extends far beyond the race circuit. Data generated during a race weekend must be shared seamlessly between trackside engineers, the team's technology campus in Silverstone, and cloud-based environments used for analysis, simulation, and development. Supporting this infrastructure is NetApp, a US provider of data storage and cloud infrastructure management, which serves as the team's Global Data Infrastructure Partner. Formula One is widely regarded as one of the most technologically advanced environments in sport. Each car carries more than 300 sensors and can generate up to 1.5TB of raw data during a race weekend, with total data volumes rising to as much as 4TB when pre- and post-event processing is included. This information spans a wide range of operational and engineering disciplines, including telemetry, aerodynamics, power unit performance, tyre behaviour, and driver inputs. Teams also run thousands of simulations, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and digital twin modelling, to optimise car design and race strategy. As AI and machine learning become increasingly important within motorsport, teams are also using advanced analytics to support predictive modelling, performance optimisation, and energy management. Turning data into competitive advantage The challenge facing Formula One teams is not simply collecting data but extracting actionable insights quickly enough to influence performance. Engineers must often analyse live telemetry and historical performance information simultaneously, whilst also coordinating decisions between personnel at the circuit and specialists based remotely at headquarters. To support these requirements, NetApp has helped create a unified data environment connecting trackside operations, Aston Martin's Silverstone facility, and cloud platforms used for compute-intensive workloads. The infrastructure enables data to move between environments while maintaining consistent access, governance, and operational performance. This allows engineering teams to support high-performance computing applications, analytics platforms, and AI workloads from a common data foundation. The approach reflects a broader shift occurring across many industries as organisations seek to manage growing data volumes across distributed environments while supporting increasingly sophisticated AI and analytics initiatives. Lessons beyond the racetrack While Formula One represents an extreme use case, many of the technology challenges faced by racing teams mirror those confronting enterprises, cloud providers, and data centre operators. Organisations are increasingly required to process large datasets in real time, integrate on-premises infrastructure with cloud services, and ensure data remains available across multiple locations. At the same time, the adoption of AI is placing additional demands on storage, networking, and compute resources. Security and resilience also remain critical considerations. Formula One teams depend on the availability of highly valuable intellectual property and operational systems, creating a need for robust cyber resilience and data governance capabilities across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. For NetApp, the partnership demonstrates how intelligent data infrastructure can help organisations manage complex workloads, accelerate decision-making, and support innovation in high-pressure operational environments. As AI adoption continues to expand across industries, the ability to connect data sources, analytics platforms, and cloud resources through a unified infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. Aston Martin's data architecture provides a high-profile example of how organisations can use data as a strategic asset, transforming information into operational insight at speed and scale. For more from NetApp, click here.

A-Gas to attend DCN Toronto as sponsor

A-Gas, a company specialising in lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM), will attend Data Center Nation (DCN) Toronto in Canada on 9 June as an official sponsor, following its participation as a Gold Sponsor at DCN Milan earlier this year. The company is increasing its engagement with the data centre sector as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow and cooling efficiency remains a key consideration for operators. A-Gas specialises in LRM, providing services focused on the recovery, reclamation, reuse, and disposal of refrigerants. While the company has traditionally operated in sectors including HVAC, automotive, and cold chain logistics, it is expanding its focus on data centres and their cooling requirements. Operating in 15 countries, A-Gas provides refrigerant supply services alongside refrigerant recovery and management programmes for facilities undergoing equipment replacement or decommissioning. Refrigerant management remains key cooling consideration As data centre operators deploy higher-density infrastructure and adopt new cooling technologies, refrigerant management is becoming an increasingly important aspect of sustainability and operational planning. A-Gas says its offering includes on-site refrigerant recovery services, reclaimed refrigerant supply, and the destruction of refrigerants that cannot be processed for future reuse. The company notes it will use the event to meet with industry stakeholders and discuss approaches to cooling infrastructure management within data centre environments. For more from A-Gas, click here.

nLighten launches rapid colocation deployment service

European data centre operator nLighten has launched ReadyCabinet, a standardised colocation offering designed to reduce deployment times for organisations requiring edge infrastructure across Europe. The service provides customers with a pre-built, fixed-price colocation cabinet and is designed to enable deployments within three working days of an order being placed. According to nLighten, ReadyCabinet is intended to simplify the process of procuring colocation capacity by replacing bespoke design and engineering processes with a standardised offering. Customers can choose a full or partial cabinet configuration, including up to 5kW of power and access to nConnect, the company's connectivity platform. Joachim van Collenburg, Vice President of Enabling Services at nLighten, says, "We are moving colocation away from bespoke engineering and turning it into a scalable product. "ReadyCabinet reflects that reality. It's a deliberately simple product, built to be the entry point to a much longer journey with our customers." The deployment process consists of a quotation with real-time availability, a service order agreement, and cabinet handover within three working days. Standardised approach targets edge infrastructure growth nLighten says the service has been developed in response to increasing demand for rapid, repeatable infrastructure deployments across multiple locations. The company cites the growth of AI inference, low-latency applications, and edge computing as drivers behind the need for faster provisioning and more standardised colocation services. ReadyCabinet forms part of nLighten's wider colocation platform, which allows customers to expand from a single cabinet deployment to higher-density and liquid-cooled environments across its European data centre portfolio. All ReadyCabinet deployments operate across nLighten's European edge platform and include metered power billing. The service is currently available at selected nLighten facilities, with further expansion planned throughout 2026. For more from nLighten, click here.

atNorth expands to Norway with new 'mega site'

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, has announced its expansion into Norway through the acquisition of land for a new data centre campus in Haugaland. The site will become home to NOR01, a planned data centre designed to support high-density computing workloads and hyperscale deployments. The development marks atNorth's first presence in Norway and extends the company's footprint across all Nordic countries. Located within Haugaland Business Park, the 36-hectare site is expected to deliver 120MW during its initial phases, with capacity ultimately increasing to 350MW. Power availability is projected for 2028 and will be supported by two new substations: one will be developed by Norway's transmission system operator, Statnett, and the second by regional grid provider Fagne. According to atNorth, the company is also exploring opportunities to reuse excess heat generated by the facility in partnership with organisations based within the business park. Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, says, "Expanding to Norway has been a long-term strategic priority for us, and we’re proud to officially mark our presence across all the Nordic countries with the announcement of NOR01. "Haugaland Business Park is a strong industrial region that offers the ideal combination of renewable energy, excellent connectivity, and a naturally cool climate, making it a highly attractive location for future-focused, AI workloads. "We look forward to collaborating with the local community to deliver world-class digital infrastructure in a responsible way." Haugaland selected for power and connectivity Norway has become an increasingly popular location for large-scale data centre developments due to its renewable energy resources, stable operating environment, and connectivity to European markets. The country's climate also supports more efficient cooling strategies, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. Monika Lindanger, Mayor of Tysvær Municipality, suggests, "This project will not only bring in new investment and innovation to the region, but will also support our local community through training and employment opportunities, our economy via sustainable industry development, and our circular economy with beneficial heat reuse partnerships. "We’re proud to be part of this next chapter in the Nordic data centre evolution." The announcement follows atNorth's plans for a new large-scale data centre campus in Sollefteå, Sweden, as well as recent expansions at facilities in Iceland and developments in Sweden and Finland. For more from atNorth, click here.

EUDCA backs EU data centre energy integration plan

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), the representative body of the European data centre community, has co-signed a Declaration of Intent aimed at improving the integration of data centres within the European Union's energy system. The agreement supports the objectives of the European Commission's Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the Energy Sector and seeks to strengthen cooperation between data centre operators, energy providers, grid operators, and public authorities. As investment in AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure continues to increase across Europe, the declaration is intended to help establish common frameworks for planning and coordinating future infrastructure development. According to the signatories, the initiative will contribute to the development of shared principles, procedures, and best practices that can be adopted by EU Member States to support sustainable growth in data centre capacity. The declaration aligns with several European policy initiatives, including the Data Centre Energy Efficiency Package, the European Grids Package, and the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act. Industry groups target closer energy sector collaboration The declaration has been signed by organisations representing a broad range of sectors, including electricity networks, energy storage, renewable energy, district heating, and digital infrastructure. Among the signatories are the EUDCA, Eurelectric, ENTSO-E, WindEurope, SolarPower Europe, Energy Storage Europe, and the EU DSO Entity. Lex Coors, President of the EUDCA, says, "The energy system can no longer be viewed as a single connection to a single data centre. Europe is moving into a more complex, four-dimensional environment where capacity, flexibility, sustainability, and digital resilience must be planned together. "Data centres are becoming part of the wider energy system, and this Declaration of Intent is an important step towards building that cooperation in a responsible and future-proof way." The declaration establishes a series of working groups focused on areas including grid planning, connection agreements, flexibility services, energy generation, and energy storage. Working groups to address future capacity requirements Europe is expected to expand its data centre capacity significantly over the next five to seven years as AI infrastructure investment accelerates. The declaration is intended to support this growth while helping Member States meet wider energy and sustainability objectives. Michael Winterson, Secretary General of the EUDCA, explains, "Europe’s AI, cloud, and digital ambitions will require significant new infrastructure capacity over the coming years. Delivering that growth responsibly will depend on much closer coordination between the digital infrastructure and energy sectors. "This Declaration of Intent shows our commitment to partner with energy providers, local authorities, and wider EU institutions to deliver on advanced technologies, energy, and sustainability ambitions." The EUDCA says it will contribute technical and policy expertise to the working groups as discussions progress, supporting the development of future frameworks for cooperation between Europe's digital infrastructure and energy sectors. For more from the EUDCA, click here.