AVK and Rolls-Royce form new capacity agreement

AVK, a supplier of innovative power solutions for data centres in Europe, and the Rolls-Royce division Power Systems, an expert in power solutions, have announced a new multi-year capacity framework as an addition to their established System Integrator Agreement. The new partnership capacity framework cements a closer collaboration between the two companies, with a focus on increasing industrial capacity for genset orders whilst accelerating joint innovation across the data centre and critical power markets. It comes 12 months after AVK announced a record-breaking year of sales and collaboration between the two companies, with 2024 seeing AVK deliver its 500 mtu generator from Rolls-Royce. The HVO-ready generators were primarily sold into the data centre sector. Under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed between the parties, their relationship moves considerably beyond 2024’s achievements to become a strategically integrated, longer‑term alliance. The new framework formalises a five‑year capacity partnership between Rolls‑Royce Power Solutions and AVK, with Rolls-Royce increasing supply and AVK committing to order volume. A parallel six-year master framework designates AVK as the exclusive System Integrator for mtu generator sets across the UK and Ireland until 2031. The agreement defines commercial terms, pricing, delivery lead times, compliance standards and anti‑bribery obligations, positioning AVK as Rolls‑Royce’s strategic partner for turnkey, mission‑critical energy solutions. As a result, there will be stronger alignment across production planning, product roadmaps and go‑to‑market activity, accelerating innovation and boosting the resilience of supply chains. The new framework with its increased capacity will foster end‑to‑end certainty for customers that specify mtu solutions for decarbonisation and resilience programmes. Finally, the new agreement supports AVK’s ambition to serve the expected surge in data‑centre demand while reinforcing Rolls‑Royce’s commitment to scalable, power platforms. “We are pleased to have signed a Capacity Agreement and extended our System Integrator contract with AVK,” says Vittorio Pierangeli, Senior VP Power Generation at Rolls Royce. This agreement reflects the commitment from both parties to continue our collaboration and support the rapidly growing European Data Centre market. With this in place, we look forward to working closely together in the coming years. “This is an exciting time for our industry, where innovation and collaboration are more important than ever. Technology shifts are accelerating, and the acceptance of alternative fuels is just one example of how the market is evolving. We are investing extensively to introduce our gas product range into this space, complementing our established diesel portfolio. With both diesel and gas solutions, as well as energy storage options, Rolls-Royce is uniquely positioned to meet future demands. Partners such as AVK will also be well placed to capitalise on these opportunities. We look forward to strengthening our partnership as the market continues to develop." Ben Pritchard, CEO of AVK, is delighted with the new framework deal, which he believes is testament to the long‑standing partnership the company has with Rolls-Royce. He comments, “This is not simply about growth. It’s about a much stronger, more enduring collaboration. With Rolls-Royce one of our valued technology partners, we have both achieved impressive growth individually as well as in our work together. Driving growth in innovative solutions on an international scale, our joint projects can be seen succeeding across Europe. We’re excited for this to develop even further.” Ben continues, “Our relationship with Rolls-Royce has evolved in an exciting way and this new multi‑year capacity agreement secures access to equipment across the UK and Europe just as the data centre market is about to boom. The new framework puts us in a position where we have the industrial capacity to deliver technology in line with the growing demands of the market. This makes AVK a pivotal part of the coming energy transition. AVK and Rolls‑Royce are positioned to deliver more than equipment – together we will provide integrated, future‑proofed power solutions that combine industrial scale, sustainability and the delivery certainty required by today’s mission‑critical operators.” For more from AVK, click here.

Study finds consumer GPUs can cut AI inference costs

A peer-reviewed study has found that consumer-grade GPUs, including Nvidia’s RTX 4090, can significantly reduce the cost of running large language model (LLM) inference. The research, published by io.net - a US developer of decentralised GPU cloud infrastructure - and accepted for the 6th International Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Conference (AIBC 2025), provides the first open benchmarks of heterogeneous GPU clusters deployed on the company’s decentralised cloud platform. The paper, Idle Consumer GPUs as a Complement to Enterprise Hardware for LLM Inference, reports that clusters built from RTX 4090 GPUs can deliver between 62% and 78% of the throughput of enterprise-grade H100 hardware at roughly half the cost. For batch processing or latency-tolerant workloads, token costs fell by up to 75%. The study also notes that, while H100 GPUs remain more energy efficient on a per-token basis, extending the life of existing consumer hardware and using renewable-rich grids can reduce overall emissions. Aline Almeida, Head of Research at IOG Foundation and lead author of the study, says, “Our findings demonstrate that hybrid routing across enterprise and consumer GPUs offers a pragmatic balance between performance, cost, and sustainability. "Rather than a binary choice, heterogeneous infrastructure allows organisations to optimise for their specific latency and budget requirements while reducing carbon impact.” Implications for LLM development and deployment The research outlines how AI developers and MLOps teams can use mixed hardware clusters to improve cost-efficiency. Enterprise GPUs can support real-time applications, while consumer GPUs can be deployed for batch tasks, development, overflow capacity, and workloads with higher latency tolerance. Under these conditions, the study reports that organisations can achieve near-H100 performance with substantially lower operating costs. Gaurav Sharma, CEO of io.net, comments, “This peer-reviewed analysis validates the core thesis behind io.net: that the future of compute will be distributed, heterogeneous, and accessible. "By harnessing both data-centre-grade and consumer hardware, we can democratise access to advanced AI infrastructure while making it more sustainable.” The company also argues that the study supports its position that decentralised networks can expand global compute capacity by making distributed GPU resources available to developers through a single, programmable platform. Key findings include: • Cost-performance ratios — Clusters of four RTX 4090 GPUs delivered 62% to 78% of H100 throughput at around half the operational cost, achieving the lowest cost per million tokens ($0.111–0.149). • Latency profiles — H100 hardware maintained sub-55ms P99 time-to-first-token even at higher loads, while consumer GPU clusters were suited to workloads tolerating 200–500ms tail latencies, such as research, development environments, batch jobs, embeddings, and evaluation tasks.

A round-up of DataCentres Ireland 2025

DataCentres Ireland was again heralded as a success by the exhibitors, alongside many of the visitors and speakers, as it delivered more attendees, more content, and more delegates than ever before. The total attendance was up 23.0% YoY over the two days of the event, delivering to over 3000 people interested in the sector. Louisa Cilenti, Chief Legal Officer at Clear Decisions, notes, “DataCentres Ireland was an outstanding forum to get underneath the strategic issues shaping Ireland’s future as a global data centre hub. "From Minister Dooley’s address to the highly practical breakout sessions, the day struck the perfect balance between policy depth and real-world innovation. "The relaxed venue made meaningful networking effortless and, as a startup, Clear Decisions really valued the genuine peer environment. A fantastic event that brings the whole ecosystem into one conversation.” Day 1 was busy from the outset. Starting with a keynote address from Minister of State Timmy Dooley TD detailing the Irish Government recognising the essential nature of data centres in modern society and its wish to work with the data centre community both for the leveraging of AI as well as recognising the impact of data centres in attracting foreign direct investment. Day 1 saw a massive 34.7% growth on attendance YoY, with exhibitors and attendees commenting on the buzz in the exhibition hall. Day 2 had a slower start, though footfall built with a good feeling in the hall. The event delivered over 600 new individuals for exhibitors to network and do business with, which were similar numbers to those achieved on Day 2 in 2024. This was the largest visitor and total attendance in the event's 15-year history, delivering over 3000 attendees across the two days. The number of exhibitors also grew, with the exhibition featuring over 140 individual stands and showcasing more than 180 companies and thousands of brands. An event of opportunities Exhibitors and attendees acknowledged that DataCentres Ireland provided a professional business environment where people were able to network with colleagues; see the latest in products, services, technology, and equipment; and listen to industry leaders and experts discussing the latest issues, approaches, and ideas affecting data centres and critical environments. Paul Flanagan, EMEA Regional Director West, Camfil, comments, “As usual, a well-organised event by Stepex. Great variety of exhibitors and visitors, so plenty of networking opportunities along with being able to see all the latest and greatest technologies and services available on the market today. "The data centre segment is getting smarter and more collaborative, and this event guarantees any visitor the opportunity to appreciate that in many ways. Exhibitors commented on the quality of attendees present at DataCentres Ireland and lack of 'time wasters' at the show, giving them more time to engage with buyers, discuss their needs, and forge lasting business contacts and relationships. The conference programme featured 90 international and local experts and industry leaders. The conference addressed a wide range of issues from data centre development, regionalisation, training and staff retention, the impact of AI on data centres, as well as decarbonisation, energy reduction, and heat re-use. One of the many highlights was an insightful presentation by Mark Foley, CEO of Mark Foley Strategic Solutions, on the state of the Irish grid network and what could be actioned to make this grid more flexible for data centres. All presentations were broadly supportive of data centres and their continued development in Ireland. Mark comments, “An excellent conference at a challenging time for the sector in Ireland. The key issues were discussed and practical and innovative solutions are now emerging if Government and regulators make the right decisions.” For more from DataCentres Ireland, click here.

Macquarie tops out $350M, 47MW AI data centre

The New South Wales Treasurer, Hon. Daniel Mookhey MP, today poured the final concrete on Macquarie Data Centres’ newest 47 megawatt (MW) facility, IC3 Super West. The ceremony marks the completion of the building’s external structure and a major milestone toward its scheduled opening in September 2026. IC3 Super West will be the only data centre to add new AI capacity to Sydney’s north zone in 2026, Macquarie states. With all the end-state power already secured, the facility is being purpose-built to meet the growing demands from hyperscalers, enterprise and neoclouds for GPU and high-performance computing capacity in the Tier 1 hub. The facility is part of Macquarie Data Centres’ 200MW development pipeline adding more AI and cloud capacity to the market. NSW Treasurer, Hon. Daniel Mookhey MP, says, “Companies like Macquarie Data Centres keep investing, keep expanding, and keep believing that NSW can be a global home for high-tech infrastructure. And it happens because the government has chosen to take planning and investment delivery seriously. “In the years ahead, thousands of businesses will run smarter because this building exists. Research will accelerate because this building exists. AI capability will expand because this building exists. And NSW will be more competitive – globally competitive – because this building exists.” Sydney is seeking to cement its position as a leading hub for AI, cloud and digital innovation, supported by new initiatives such as the NSW Government’s new Investment Delivery Authority - which aims to accelerate future technology infrastructure projects like Macquarie Data Centres’ recently announced 150MW planned site. Macquarie Data Centres Group Executive, David Hirst, comments, “IC3 Super West is the next data centre in our pipeline of sites planned to add circa 200MW of AI and cloud capacity in Sydney. Demand for high-density AI infrastructure is the most significant megatrend we’ve seen in over 25 years in the data centre industry. IC3 Super West, opening in Q3 2026, is purpose-built for the high-density power and liquid cooling demands of new AI technology. Sovereign data centres keep Australia competitive in the global market and are the foundation of our AI future.” IC3 Super West is the third facility to be built at the leading provider’s 65MW Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus in Sydney’s north zone and is designed to support a hybrid mix of air and liquid cooling for direct-to-chip, high-density AI and cloud workloads. Phase 1 of the build is a circa $350 million investment and will deliver the complete core and shell with 6MW IT load fitted out. For more from Macquarie, click here.

OpenNebula, Canonical partner on cloud security

OpenNebula Systems, a global open-source technology provider, has formed a new partnership with UK developer Canonical to offer Ubuntu Pro as a built-in, security-maintained operating system for hypervisor nodes running OpenNebula. The collaboration is intended to streamline installation, improve long-term maintenance, and reinforce security and compliance for enterprise cloud environments. OpenNebula is used for virtualisation, cloud deployment, and multi-cluster Kubernetes management. It integrates with a range of technology partners, including NetApp and Veeam, and is supported by relationships with NVIDIA, Dell Technologies, and Ampere. These partnerships support its use in high-performance and AI-focused environments. Beginning with the OpenNebula 7.0 release, Ubuntu Pro becomes an optional operating system for hypervisor nodes. Canonical’s long-term security maintenance, rapid patch delivery, and established update process are designed to help teams manage production systems where new vulnerabilities emerge frequently. Integrated security maintenance for hypervisor nodes With Ubuntu Pro embedded into OpenNebula workflows, users will gain access to extended security support, expedited patching, and coordinated lifecycle updates. The approach aims to reduce operational risk and maintain compliance across large-scale, distributed environments. Constantino Vázquez, VP of Engineering Services at OpenNebula Systems, explains, “Our mission is to provide a truly sovereign and secure multi-tenant cloud and edge platform for enterprises and public institutions. "Partnering with Canonical to integrate Ubuntu Pro into OpenNebula strengthens our customers’ confidence by combining open innovation with long-term stability, security, and compliance.” Mark Lewis, VP of Application Services at Canonical, adds, “Ubuntu Pro provides the secure foundation that modern cloud and AI infrastructures demand. "By embedding Ubuntu Pro into OpenNebula, we are providing enterprises [with] a robust and compliance-ready environment from the bare metal to the AI workload - making open source innovation ready for enterprise-grade operations.”

AECOM appointed to deliver data centre in Spain

AECOM, a global infrastructure specialist, today announced it has been selected by Nostrum Data Centers (an affiliate of Nostrum Group) to lead the design and construction management of a new data centre in Badajoz, Spain. With an investment exceeding €1.9 billion, ‘Nostrum Evergreen’ is reportedly one of Spain’s most ambitious digital infrastructures projects, with capacity expected to reach 500 megawatts, supporting the rapid growth of AI across Europe. The first phase includes the design and construction of data halls and the critical operational infrastructure, with an initial capacity of 150 million watts of electric capacity (MWe). The second phase, which will allow the site to reach 300 MWe, is scheduled to begin in early 2029. The complex’s design will enable scalability up to 500 MWe, making it one of the most ambitious facilities in southern Europe. A ‘next-generation’ campus, Nostrum Evergreen will also integrate advanced cooling systems and intelligent power consumption management. "This data centre in Badajoz will have a total capacity similar to the combined capacity of all current operational data centres in Spain,” says Gabriel Nebreda, CEO of Nostrum Group. “Furthermore, we have set ourselves a very demanding deadline to start construction of this mega campus next year. Achieving this ambition is only possible through strategic partnerships with leading global players in the data centre sector. We are very pleased to announce this agreement with AECOM, one of the most prestigious engineering firms, who have extensive experience in AI gigafactories worldwide." "We are delighted to collaborate with Nostrum Group on this project, which will become an international benchmark in data centres,” adds Javier Camy, Managing Director, Spain, AECOM. “At AECOM, we leverage our global capability in highly complex technical projects and our strong position in the sector to apply a transformative approach that ensures a sustainable, forward-thinking solution. This partnership reflects our ability to co-lead initiatives that redefine regions and enhance the global competitiveness of our clients." “This is very positive news for the city and for the region as a whole. It represents a decisive opportunity for the development of Badajoz and highlights the dedication and strong commitment to our city, something we deeply value and appreciate,” notes Ignacio Gragera, Mayor of Badajoz. The project, which expects to obtain its building permit by mid-2026, has already secured electrical capacity, without relying on the future Spanish Electrical Grid Development Plan 2025–2030. In addition, it boasts more than 200,000 square metres of ready-to-build industrial land in one of the region’s most advanced industrial parks. The site aims to position the Extremadura region as an emerging hub in the European data centre ecosystem. For more from AECOM, click here.

atNorth's DEN01 to supply district heating in Copenhagen

atNorth, an Icelandic operator of sustainable Nordic data centres, has agreed a partnership with Vestforbrænding, Denmark’s largest waste-to-energy company, to supply excess heat from its forthcoming DEN01 data centre campus into the district heating network serving Greater Copenhagen. DEN01, a 22.5MW site in Ballerup, is scheduled to open in early 2026. Through the collaboration, warm water generated as a by-product of direct liquid cooling will be transferred into Vestforbrænding’s network from 2028. The recovered heat is expected to support the heating of more than 8,000 homes, reducing energy consumption for local central heating and lowering emissions for both organisations. Denmark has pursued decarbonisation for several years and has set a national target to become net zero by 2045, with a 110% emissions reduction target by 2050. Coal is being phased out of the district heating sector, and heat-reuse projects form part of the country’s circular economy strategy. atNorth highlights that the initiative aligns with its wider approach to sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and community-focused development. Vestforbrænding is expanding its network as part of its 2030 District Heating Plan, replacing oil and gas boilers across thousands of households and integrating new heat sources such as surplus heat from data centres. Heat-reuse initiatives across the Nordics Steen Neuchs Vedel, CEO of Vestforbrænding, says, “For many years, we have talked about surplus heat from data centres being part of the future. Now, the future is here. “With today’s contract signing, we are showing the way forward for how surplus heat from data centres can reach people’s homes. There has also been talk about sector coupling in the district heating sector: today, we demonstrate how this can happen in practice, to the benefit of consumers.” Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO at atNorth, adds, “As the demand for AI-ready digital infrastructure continues to increase, it is imperative that data centre companies scale in a responsible way. “By actively seeking heat-reuse partnerships for our data centres, we can mitigate our environmental impact, benefit the communities in which we operate, and help clients decarbonise their IT workloads.” The announcement follows atNorth’s partnership with Wa3rm, which plans to use waste heat from the company’s DEN02 site to support local vegetable production. atNorth has also agreed a heat-reuse initiative with Kesko Corporation to supply recovered heat from its FIN02 site to a neighbouring store. For more from atNorth, click here.

Subzero Engineering opens new Vietnam facility

Subzero Engineering, a provider of data centre containment systems, has expanded its global operations with a new facility in Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening its position in the Asia-Pacific market and supporting growing regional demand for data centre infrastructure. The site will act as a central hub for APAC activities, reinforcing the company’s long-term presence in the region and improving proximity to partners and supply chains. Midge Pan, General Manager, APAC, Subzero Engineering, comments, “This expansion is about more than infrastructure; it’s about proximity to our partners, agility in the supply chain, and speed to market. “Vietnam offers a unique combination of talent, resilience, and strategic location that enables us to meet APAC’s growing demand for cutting-edge digital infrastructure.” 'Centre of excellence' for design and manufacturing The Ho Chi Minh City facility will serve as a "centre of excellence" supporting global engineering teams. It will accommodate manufacturing, design, and research and development functions, and will produce Subzero’s containment systems, modular enclosures, aisle frames, and airflow management equipment. Dedicated research and development space will also support the creation of technologies tailored to APAC’s fast-changing data centre market, including approaches aimed at AI, high-density computing, and sustainability. Shane Kilfoil, President of Subzero Engineering, explains, “This new facility is a strategic cornerstone in Subzero’s global vision, designed to integrate localised innovation with global scale. “By establishing a centre of excellence in Vietnam, we’re not just expanding our footprint; we’re embedding agility, resilience, and sustainability into the core of our operations.” The company expects the site to create more than 50 skilled roles across engineering and technical disciplines. Subzero also plans to form partnerships with local universities and technical institutions to support training and internship programmes. The facility has been developed within a building designed with sustainability features, including on-site solar generation, energy-efficient systems, and low-carbon construction methods. Subzero says these measures reflect its wider environmental commitments and its focus on reducing operational impact. With established operations across North America and Europe, the addition of the Vietnam site aims to strengthen the company’s global network. It also allows Subzero to offer more responsive support to regional customers as demand for new data centre capacity increases. For more from Subzero Engineering, click here.

Pure DC secures approval for Madrid data centre

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a digital infrastructure organisation, has received final planning approval for the first phase of its €400 million Madrid data centre development, including a private substation. The campus has a planned capacity of 70MW, with Phase 1 comprising a substation and a 30MW facility. The project is expected to support digital demand across the region and strengthen local energy resilience. More than 400 construction roles will be created, with an emphasis on employing local firms. Once operational, the site will provide more than 50 permanent technical and support positions and contribute to improvements in nearby power and telecommunications infrastructure. Work is expected to begin this month, with early activity focused on connecting high-voltage lines from the Iberdrola power substation and constructing the new private substation. Substation and modular data hall development The private substation will use environmentally focused gas-insulated switchgear from Siemens. This equipment replaces traditional insulating gases with alternatives that avoid greenhouse gas emissions and toxic by-products. Pure DC notes that the site will be among the first in Spain to use this type of switchgear. The company anticipates completing the substation by early 2027, followed by phased construction of modular data halls. These halls will support high-density deployments and can be configured for either air or liquid cooling. Both cooling approaches use closed-loop systems with zero operational water consumption. Pedro L. Sanz, Mayor of Meco Municipality, comments, “This licence approval highlights the constructive dialogue and collaboration between Pure DC and our City Council. "The project not only reinforces our city's position as a technology hub, but marks a mutual achievement that will boost employment and the digital future of our region.” Dame Dawn Childs, CEO at Pure Data Centres, notes, “Like many major European cities, Madrid’s demand for digital infrastructure far out-strips the supply coming online. “Pure DC’s ability to bring on new low-latency, high-quality capacity in such supply constrained locations demonstrates our capability to deliver compelling partnerships for local authorities, potential customers, and our supply chain.” Pure DC also plans to work with nearby communities, mirroring programmes in place at its other sites. These include partnerships with schools and universities, training and careers initiatives, community outreach, and collaborations with local organisations on environmental projects. For more from Pure DC, click here.

UK Chancellor urged to use AI for economic growth

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to use the opportunity afforded by AI to ‘Make Britain Great Again’. The news comes as the Government announced that thousands of new AI jobs and billions of pounds of investment will be poured into the next parliament to help stimulate economic growth. New AI Growth Zones Amongst the package of measures proposed for the budget today include a new AI Growth Zone in South Wales, which will create more than 5,000 new jobs for local communities over the next decade, and a further £137 million to support key scientists to drive breakthroughs and develop new drugs, cures, and treatments. Patrick Sullivan, CEO of think tank Parliament Street, argued that with limited options at the budget, only AI can ‘Make Britain Great Again’. He claims, “With limited options due to Labour’s absurd manifesto pledge to rule out income tax rises, the Chancellor is now forced to cobble together a quick fix solution to fill a black hole which is entirely of her own making. "However, the one saving grace is the advent of mass AI adoption, a technology that will bring mass savings at a time when the Government needs it most. “This is Labour’s chance to show that it gets private enterprise and recognises that by supporting tech talent, AI can truly Make Britain Great Again.” Tech expert Graeme Stewart, Head of Public Sector at Check Point Software, says, “The case for investing billions in AI to drive growth and reboot the economy is clear, yet little has been said about the cyber and regulatory risks associated with mass adoption. “Whether it’s attacks on the NHS, nurseries, or local councils, cyber criminals have already proven that nothing in the public sector is off limits. That’s why it’s vital the Chancellor’s AI rollout is backed up with a robust action plan for protecting critical national infrastructure and minimising cyber risk. "We also need to hear more about the Government’s plans to protect the public and private sector from the new wave of AI-enabled cyber-attacks, which require a cohesive national strategy.” Graeme continues, “Mastering AI to drive growth is the right thing to do, but this approach must always go hand-in-hand with the necessary cyber strategy, to ensure the government stays one step ahead of the increasingly lethal cyber threat.” Kenny MacAulay, CEO of Acting Office, a software platform for accounting practices, adds, “With businesses still reeling from the £25 billion National Insurance increase, the Chancellor has a tough task ahead to win the back trust from the private sector. "Proposals for a nationwide AI rollout and investment in infrastructure can help kickstart economic growth, but only alongside a clear action plan to get businesses hiring again. “The industry needs to embrace the opportunities that AI can bring, in terms of centralising technology investment and improving customer service.”