SPAL targets data centre cooling needs

SPAL Automotive, an Italian manufacturer of electric cooling fans and blowers, traditionally for automotive and industrial applications, is preparing to showcase its cooling technology at Data Centre World in London in March 2026, with a particular focus on brushless drive water pumps used in data centre thermal management. The pumps are designed for stationary applications where cooling demand is continuous and high. They feature software control compatibility - including CAN, PWM, and LIN - supporting precise regulation of coolant flow and temperature. The company says the pumps consume less power than mechanically driven units and use IP6K9K-rated brushless systems intended to mitigate issues such as overload, reverse polarity, and overvoltage. The role of cooling components in data centres Alongside its pumps, SPAL will display its wider cooling portfolio, which includes fans and blowers designed for controlled airflow and heat dissipation. The company plans to highlight the use of matched replacement components, particularly for systems that rely on coordinated assemblies of fans, pumps, and related controls. James Bowett, General Manager at SPAL UK, says, “In a world where costs are constantly under pressure, it’s false economy to opt for cheaper parts as this will not only affect the performance of the component itself, but the entire suite of parts within a system. "The only way to ensure effective, reliable, long-life operation is to replicate the set up installed at the point of manufacture. That means choosing the best calibre parts throughout.” SPAL states that its products are supplied with a four-year manufacturer’s warranty and are used to help maintain stable conditions for sensitive electronics. The company highlights that the growth of data centres linked to AI and cloud services is increasing demand for equipment designed specifically for energy efficiency, water use, and controlled cooling. SPAL will exhibit at Data Centre World on Stand F15, held at ExCeL London on 4–5 March 2026.

Global data centre build-out projected to require $3tn

The global data centre sector is poised for continued unprecedented expansion, with capacity expected to nearly double from 103 GW to 200 GW by 2030, according to real estate and investment management company JLL’s newly released 2026 Global Data Center Outlook report. Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the data centre landscape, and JLL anticipates AI workloads will represent half of all data centre capacity by 2030. Despite rapid growth, the fundamentals for the sector remain healthy and property metrics do not point to a bubble. The explosive growth will require up to $3 trillion (£2.2 trillion) in total investment over the next five years, including $1.2 trillion (£887 billion) in real estate asset value creation and approximately $870 billion (£643 billion) in new debt financing, marking an infrastructure investment supercycle. “We’re witnessing the most significant transformation in data centre infrastructure since the original cloud migration,” notes Matt Landek, Global Division President, Data Centers and Critical Environments at JLL. “The sheer scale of demand is extraordinary. Hyperscalers are allocating $1 trillion (£739 billion) for data centre spend between 2024 and 2026 alone, while supply constraints and four-year grid connection delays are creating a perfect storm that’s fundamentally reshaping how we approach development, energy sourcing, and market strategy.” AI drives transformation AI workloads could represent 50% of all data centre capacity by 2030, compared to approximately 25% in 2025. JLL anticipates a critical inflection point in 2027 when AI inference workloads will overtake training as the dominant requirement. “We’re witnessing the emergence of an entirely new infrastructure paradigm where AI training facilities demand 10x the power density and command 60% lease rate premiums over traditional data centres,” explains Andrew Batson, Global Head of Data Center Research at JLL. “Beyond the economics, AI has become a matter of national strategic importance, driving countries to develop domestic capabilities through sovereign infrastructure investments that represent an $8 billion (£6 billion) CapEx opportunity by 2030.” AI chips are projected to grow their total revenue share from 20% to 50% of the semiconductor market by 2030, with custom silicon expected to capture 15% market share as hyperscalers develop their own processors. The future could include emerging technologies like neuromorphic computing for ultra-efficient inference tasks that could reduce infrastructure demands and enable data centres to be more power-efficient. Regional growth patterns The Americas will maintain its position as the largest data centre region, representing about 50% of global capacity and achieving the fastest growth rate through 2030. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is projected to expand from 32 GW to 57 GW, while Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) will add 13 GW of new supply. Each region faces distinct market dynamics that will shape development strategies. In APAC, colocation is leading growth, while on-premise capacity is projected to decline 6% as enterprises continue cloud migration. EMEA’s growth forecast is fuelled by strong demand from hyperscalers, with growth concentrated in established European hubs like London, Frankfurt, and Paris, alongside emerging Middle Eastern markets pursuing digital transformation strategies. The US continues to drive most activity in the Americas, accounting for about 90% of regional capacity. Market fundamentals remain strong Property metrics do not indicate a bubble, as JLL’s analysis indicates the sector maintains healthy fundamentals with 97% global occupancy and 77% of the construction pipeline pre-committed to tenants. Global lease rates are forecast to increase at a 5% CAGR through 2030, with the Americas leading at 7% annual growth due to severe supply constraints. Despite developers preordering materials up to 24 months in advance, more than half of projects in 2025 experienced construction delays of three months or more. The average equipment lead time globally is now 33 weeks, a 50% increase from pre-2020 levels. The industry is responding through modular construction solutions, with annual sales of modular systems and micro data centres projected to reach $48 billion (£35 billion) by 2030. “The increase in equipment lead times is affecting APAC just as it is globally, but strong pre-commitment levels demonstrate continued confidence in the market,” says Glen Duncan, JLL Data Center Research Director, Asia Pacific. Energy and sustainability challenges Energy sourcing remains a critical challenge, with average grid connection lead times exceeding four years in primary markets. Due to utility interconnection delays and mounting pressure from rising grid electricity costs, some operators are moving to directly fund their own energy generation, and several markets have implemented de facto 'bring your own power' mandates, including Dublin and Texas. Data centres are also adopting diverse regional energy strategies to address grid constraints. Natural gas is projected to play a major role in alleviating grid constraints in the US, both for temporary bridge power and increasingly for permanent on-site power generation. The four primary hyperscalers are already fully matching their US data centre portfolios with renewable energy. In EMEA, projects combining renewables and private wire transmission can reduce the cost of power for tenants by 40% compared to the grid. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are gaining momentum, enabling cost-effective handling of short-duration outages and positioning the technology as a dynamic grid asset to speed up interconnection timelines. Additionally, solar-plus-storage will become a key component of global data centre energy strategies by 2030, with renewable energy costs projected to outcompete fossil fuels across all major regions. “As regulatory and stakeholder expectations around renewable energy sourcing increase globally, data centre operators will face heightened scrutiny over their energy procurement,” suggests Martin Jensen, EMEA Division President, Data Centers at JLL. “While renewables like solar and wind remain the dominant focus of clean energy strategies, power sources such as nuclear are gaining attention for their ability to provide reliable electricity and help balance sustainability requirements with operational continuity; however, significant new nuclear capacity is unlikely to be widely deployed before the 2030s.” Capital markets evolution The sector is experiencing significant capital markets maturation, with core investment strategies now representing 24% of fundraising activity, up from less than 10% previously. More than $300 billion (£221 billion) in global M&A activity has occurred since 2020, though future investment is expected to shift towards recapitalisations and joint ventures as the market matures. Global data centre core fund capital formation could top $50 billion (£37 billion) in 2026, with strategies targeting returns of 10% or more. ABS and CMBS securities are quickly becoming a solution for financing rapid sector expansion, with issuance volumes roughly doubling every year since 2020 and projected to reach $50 billion (£37 billion) in 2026. For more from JLL, click here.

Jabil acquires Hanley Energy Group

Jabil, a US provider of electronics manufacturing and supply chain services, has completed the acquisition of Hanley Energy Group, a provider of energy management and critical power systems for the data centre infrastructure market. The transaction was completed on 2 January 2026 and was valued at approximately $725 million (£536 million), with contingent consideration of up to $58 million (£42.8 million) linked to future revenue targets. The acquisition was completed as an all-cash transaction. TM Capital acted as exclusive financial adviser to Hanley Energy Group, while UBS Investment Bank advised Jabil. A focus on data centre power management Jabil says the acquisition is intended to strengthen its capabilities in data centre power management, particularly as demand increases from artificial intelligence workloads. Hanley Energy Group operates across 13 locations globally - with headquarters in Stamullen, Ireland, and in Ashburn, Virginia, USA - employing around 850 staff. Founded in 2009, Hanley Energy Group works across the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of power and energy management systems, supporting infrastructure from the grid through to the data centre rack. The company also provides lifecycle services, including maintenance and operational support. Matt Crowley, Executive Vice President of Global Business Units, Intelligent Infrastructure at Jabil, comments, “We're excited to welcome Hanley Energy Group and their extensive expertise in power systems and energy optimisation to the Jabil team. "Their know-how and capabilities complement Jabil’s existing power management solutions for data centres and will help us deploy and service them down to the rack level.” Ed Bailey, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Intelligent Infrastructure at Jabil, adds, “Data centre power management will only become more critical as hyperscalers ramp the availability of their AI technologies. "This acquisition of Hanley Energy Group, coupled with our growing thermal management capabilities, aligns well with Jabil’s strategy to deliver custom solutions for the world’s AI leaders across the data centre lifecycle.” Clive Gilmore, CEO of Hanley Energy Group, notes, “Joining forces with Jabil will supercharge our ability to deliver end-to-end, scalable, and energy-efficient solutions for the world’s most demanding data centre environments. "Our customers will benefit from the expanded reach of Jabil’s global manufacturing footprint and supply chain, access to broader capabilities across the data centre lifecycle, and opportunities for sustainable growth to meet the evolving needs of AI hyperscalers.” Dennis Nordon, Managing Director at Hanley Energy Group, concludes, “This is more than an acquisition; it’s a catalyst for the future of data centre power management. By joining with Jabil, we are positioned to lead the charge in delivering intelligent, sustainable solutions that empower hyperscalers to unlock the full potential of AI.”

VIRTUS Data Centres names new CEO

VIRTUS Data Centres, a UK data centre owner-operator and part of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), today announced the appointment of Adam Eaton as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Under Adam’s leadership, VIRTUS says it will continue to "expand [its] portfolio of high-efficiency, sustainable data centres, building on a decade of rapid growth across the UK and Europe." The company adds that it "remains committed to [its] vision to deliver world-class, energy-efficient infrastructure that supports the growth of the digital economy." Bruno Lopez, President and Group CEO at STT GDC and Chairman at VIRTUS Data Centres, comments, “We are delighted to welcome Adam to VIRTUS at an exciting time. "His insight and proven ability to scale complex operations make him the ideal leader for the business as VIRTUS continues to grow its footprint and strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading data centre operators. "We look forward to this new chapter of leveraging Adam’s knowledge, expertise, and stakeholder management skills for further growth across the business.” Adam says, “I first met the VIRTUS team over 15 years ago. Since then, I’ve watched the company evolve into one of Europe’s leading data centre operators. "Helping VIRTUS scale and support its next phase of growth is an exciting opportunity. I’m privileged to build on the foundations laid by the existing team, embracing one of the most exciting leadership roles in the industry today.” Decades of experience Adam brings a combination of commercial and operational expertise to VIRTUS. With over 20 years of experience spanning the data centre, cloud, and managed services sectors, he brings a track record of strategic leadership, business transformation, and operational performance. Most recently, Adam served as Executive Group Director for Europe at Global Switch, where he led the business across the FLAPM (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Madrid) markets and drove transformation plans to strengthen the business’ performance and scale. Adam steps into the CEO role previously held by Thomas Ee, Group Chief Operating Officer of STT GDC, in an interim capacity for the past nine months. For more from VIRTUS, click here.

PFlow highlights VRC use in data centres

PFlow Industries, a US manufacturer of vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) technology, has highlighted the use of VRCs within data centre environments, focusing on its M Series and F Series systems. VRCs are typically incorporated during the design phase of a facility to support vertical movement of equipment and materials. PFlow states that, compared with conventional lifting approaches, VRCs can be integrated with automated material handling systems and used for intermittent or continuous operation, with routine maintenance requirements kept relatively low. M Series and F Series applications The PFlow M Series 2-Post Mechanical Material Lift is designed for higher-cycle environments where frequent vertical movement of equipment is required. The company says the system can handle loads of up to 10,000lb (4,536kg) and operate across multiple floor levels. Standard travel speed is stated as 25 feet (7.62 metres) per minute, with higher speeds available depending on configuration. The M Series is designed for use for transporting items such as servers, racks, and other technical equipment, with safety features intended to support controlled movement and equipment protection. The PFlow F Series 4-Post Mechanical VRC is positioned for heavier loads and larger equipment. The standard lifting capacity is up to 50,000lb (22,680kg), with higher capacities available through customisation. The design allows loading and unloading from all four sides and is intended to accommodate oversized infrastructure, including battery systems and large server assemblies. PFlow says the F Series is engineered for high-cycle operation and flexible traffic patterns within facilities. The company adds that its VRCs are designed as permanent infrastructure elements within buildings rather than standalone equipment. It states that all systems are engineered to meet ASME B20.1 conveyor requirements and are intended for continuous operation in environments where uptime is critical. Dan Hext, National Sales Director at PFlow Industries, comments, “Every industry is under cost and compliance pressure. Our VRCs help facility operators achieve maximum throughput and efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of safety.”

SIA launches data centre advisory board

The Security Industry Association (SIA), a trade association for global security solution providers, has launched a new Data Center Advisory Board to provide guidance on data centre security matters to its Board of Directors and to support SIA members with relevant resources. The group will be chaired by Jim Black, Senior Director and Security Architect at Microsoft, who has been involved in the company’s cloud and data centre operations since 2011. The establishment of the advisory board comes as global demand for data centre capacity continues to rise, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud services, and other digital technologies. As facilities that host large volumes of sensitive information, data centres face increasing pressure to maintain robust and resilient security practices. A focus on collaboration and guidance According to SIA, the Data Center Advisory Board will contribute to the development of guidance and information related to security deployments, encourage collaboration between security providers and data centre security professionals, and engage with SIA’s government relations team on legislative and regulatory matters where relevant. In his role at Microsoft, Jim is responsible for defining security technology strategy to protect assets and personnel across a global portfolio of more than 400 data centres. He holds several professional certifications, including Certified Protection Professional and Physical Security Professional from ASIS International, as well as Certified Information Systems Security Professional from ISC². Commenting on his appointment, he notes, “The data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and heightened risks driven by emerging technologies and global operational challenges. "I am honoured to serve as SIA’s inaugural Data Center Advisory Board Chair and look forward to working with this accomplished group of industry experts to advance and publish modern security standards that will strengthen cloud critical infrastructure protection worldwide.” Don Erickson, CEO of SIA, says Jim’s experience makes him well suited to the role, commenting, “The Data Center Advisory Board is an important venture for SIA, and we are very pleased that it will be able to benefit from Jim’s experience and expertise in data centre security from its inception. “Jim has for many years been an enthusiastic and generous supporter of SIA, contributing to multiple groups and projects that have advanced the industry’s professionalism and knowledge base. We are excited about what the advisory board will accomplish under his leadership.”

Duos Edge AI expands US edge data centres

Duos Technologies Group, through its subsidiary Duos Edge AI, a provider of edge data centre (EDC) systems, has expanded its EDC footprint in Texas and entered the Illinois market, serving the Greater Chicago area. The company reports continued deployments across several Texas locations and that the Illinois site represents its first installation in the Midwest. Duos Edge AI says further sites are planned as part of a broader geographic expansion. Texas and Midwest deployments In Texas, Duos Edge AI has added two edge data centres in Lubbock to support carrier neutral requirements. The company has also deployed sites supporting education, healthcare, and service providers in Amarillo, Victoria, Waco, Dumas, and Corpus Christi. The Illinois deployment is located in the Greater Chicagoland area and is described as the first of multiple planned installations in the Midwest. According to the company, the Lubbock sites are intended to address service provider demand, while the broader Texas portfolio supports a range of public and private sector use cases. Duos Edge AI’s modular edge data centres include security controls aligned with SOC 2 Type II certification under AICPA standards. The company also references its patented modular data centre entryway design, which is intended to protect equipment in controlled environments. Commenting on the expansion, Doug Recker, President of Duos and founder of Duos Edge AI, says, “Expanding within Texas and into the Illinois market is a meaningful milestone that reflects both execution discipline and rising demand for our Edge Data Center. "We are building a scalable, repeatable deployment model that supports education, carriers, and enterprises with secure, low-latency infrastructure. "These expansions align with our growth strategy and reinforce our confidence in continued momentum as we execute against our long-term guidance.” Duos Edge AI states that it plans to expand into additional US states, focusing on carrier neutral facilities that support localised compute and edge infrastructure requirements in a range of markets. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

CapitaLand India Trust divests data centre stakes

CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT), a Singapore-listed business trust investing in data centres, IT parks, industrial facilities, and logistics across India, has entered into definitive agreements to divest 20.2% stakes in three data centre assets under development to CapitaLand India Data Centre Fund (CIDCF). The transaction has an estimated total purchase consideration of ₹7.02 billion (S$99.73 million; £57.8 million). The consideration is based on 20.2% of the combined enterprise value of the three assets, amounting to ₹51.97 billion (S$738.2 million; £428.3 million) as of 31 December 2025. This valuation will be adjusted for liabilities, working capital, and capital expenditure, and remains subject to post-completion adjustments. According to the Trust, the agreed enterprise value was negotiated on a willing-buyer and willing-seller basis and represents a premium to the independent valuation of ₹45.70 billion (S$649 million; £376.6 million) as at 31 December 2025. Details of the data centre assets The three data centres included in the transaction are located in Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. In Navi Mumbai, CapitaLand DC Mumbai consists of two towers in Airoli. Tower one is completed with an IT power capacity of 34MW and a gross capacity of 50MW, while tower two remains under development with planned capacities of 37MW IT and 55MW gross. CapitaLand DC Chennai, located in Ambattur, is under development and is expected to provide 34MW of IT capacity and 53MW of gross capacity. CapitaLand DC Hyderabad, situated in Madhapur, is also under development, with planned capacities of 27MW IT and 42MW gross. In September 2025, CLINT divested CyberVale in Chennai and CyberPearl in Hyderabad, marking the Trust’s first divestment since its listing in 2007. The partial divestment of its data centre portfolio follows this earlier transaction and forms part of what CLINT describes as its broader approach to managing and realising the value of its development assets. Commenting on the transaction, Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam, Chief Executive Officer of CapitaLand India Trust Management, the trustee-manager of CLINT, says, “The partial divestment reflects continued execution of our portfolio reconstitution strategy. "By unlocking value earlier in the development cycle while retaining a significant stake in the assets, we are able to support our development pipeline and enhance financial flexibility. “We are pleased to be partnering with CIDCF and remain invested in the future growth of India’s data centre sector through our remaining stake in the portfolio. "The partnership with CIDCF also provides CLINT the right to participate in a partial stake in future data centre developments by our sponsor and potentially buy back the assets or explore exit options such as an initial public offering of the assets. "Post-transaction, CLINT remains well-positioned to pursue accretive and higher yielding investment growth opportunities in key Indian cities to create value for our Unitholders.”

The blueprint for tomorrow’s sustainable data centres

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Francesco Fontana, Enterprise Marketing and Alliances Director at Aruba, explores how operators can embed sustainability, flexibility, and high-density engineering into data centre design to meet the accelerating demands of AI: Sustainable design is now central to AI-scale data centres The explosive growth of AI is straining data centre capacity, prompting operators to both upgrade existing sites and plan large-scale new-builds. Europe’s AI market, projected to grow at a 36.4% CAGR through 2033, is driving this wave of investment as operators scramble to match demand. Operators face mounting pressure to address the environmental costs of rapid growth, as expansion alone cannot meet the challenge. The path forward lies in designing facilities that are sustainable by default, while balancing resilience, efficiency, and adaptability to ensure data centres can support the accelerating demands of AI. The cost of progress Customer expectations for data centres have shifted dramatically in recent years. The rapid uptake of AI and cloud technologies is fuelling demand for colocation environments that are scalable, flexible, and capable of supporting constantly evolving workloads and managing surging volumes of data. But this evolution comes at a cost. AI and other compute-intensive applications demand vast amounts of processing power, which in turn place new strains on both energy and water resources. Global data centre electricity usage is projected to reach 1,050 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2026, placing data centres among the world’s top five national consumers. This rising consumption has put data centres firmly under the spotlight. Regulators, customers, and the wider public are scrutinising how facilities are designed and operated, making it clear that sustainability can no longer be treated as optional. To survive amongst these new expectations, operators must balance performance with environmental responsibility, rethinking infrastructure from the ground up. Steps to a next-generation sustainable data centre 1. Embed sustainability from day one Facilities designed 'green by default' are better placed to meet both operational and environmental goals, and this why sustainability can’t be an afterthought. This requires renewable energy integration from the outset through on-site solar, hydroelectric systems, or long-term clean power purchase agreements. Operators across Europe are also committing to industry frameworks like the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact and the European Green Digital Coalition, ensuring progress is independently verified. Embedding sustainability into the design and operation of data centres not only reduces carbon intensity but also creates long-term efficiency gains that help manage AI’s heavy energy demands. 2. Build for flexibility and scale Modern businesses need infrastructures that can grow with them. For operators, this means creating resilient IT environments with space and power capacity to support future demand. Offering adaptable options - such as private cages and cross-connects - gives customers the freedom to scale resources up or down, as well as tailor facilities to their unique needs. This flexibility underpins cloud expansion, digital transformation initiatives, and the integration of new applications - all while helping customers remain agile in a competitive market. 3. Engineering for the AI Workload AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads demand far more power and cooling capacity than traditional IT environments, and conventional designs are struggling to keep up. Facilities must be engineered specifically for high-density deployments. Advanced cooling technologies, such as liquid cooling, allow operators to safely and sustainably support power densities far above 20 kW per rack, essential for next-generation GPUs and other AI-driven infrastructure. Rethinking power distribution, airflow management, and rack layout ensures high-density computing can be delivered efficiently without compromising stability or sustainability. 4. Location matters Where a data centre is built plays a major role in its sustainability profile, as regional providers often offer greater flexibility and more personalised services to meet customer needs. Italy, for example, has become a key destination for new facilities. Its cloud computing market is estimated at €10.8 billion (£9.4 billion) in 2025 and is forecast to more than double to €27.4 billion (£23.9 billion) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.6%. Significant investments from hyperscalers in recent years are accelerating growth, making the region a hotspot for operators looking to expand in Europe. 5. Stay compliant with regulations and certifications Strong regulatory and environmental compliance is fundamental. Frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) safeguard data, while certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) demonstrate energy efficiency and environmental accountability. Adhering to these standards ensures legal compliance, but it also improves operational transparency and strengthens credibility with customers. Sustainability and performance as partners The data centres of tomorrow must scale sustainably to meet the demands of AI, cloud, and digital transformation. This requires embedding efficiency and adaptability into every stage of design and operation. Investment in renewable energy, such as hydro and solar, will be crucial to reducing emissions. Equally, innovations like liquid cooling will help manage the thermal loads of compute-heavy AI environments. Emerging technologies - including agentic AI systems that autonomously optimise energy use and breakthroughs in quantum computing - promise to take efficiency even further. In short, sustainability and performance are no longer competing objectives; together, they form the foundation of a resilient digital future where AI can thrive without compromising the planet. For more from Aruba, click here.

AirTrunk opens hyperscale data centre campus in Melbourne

AirTrunk, a hyperscale data centre specialist in the Asia Pacific & Middle East region, has announced the acquisition of a new site in Melbourne’s North West for its second Melbourne campus, to be known as MEL2. With over 354MW capacity, MEL2 will add more than AUD $5 billion (£2.48bn) in new direct investment and lift AirTrunk’s total deployable capacity in Melbourne to over 630 MW. Across MEL1 and MEL2, AirTrunk’s investment in the city’s digital infrastructure will exceed AUD $7 billion (£3.45bn), delivering one of the largest economic and productivity boosts to Victoria. MEL2 is expected to create over 4,000 jobs during the multi-phase construction and over 200 direct jobs, once operational. In addition, AirTrunk will boost the local supply chain creating in excess of 1,000 full-time jobs to support its data centres. The new site will complement AirTrunk’s existing Australian campuses, giving global AI and cloud customers greater geographical diversity across the Sydney and Melbourne markets. AirTrunk will operate five campuses nationally - SYD1 (121 MW+), SYD2 (158 MW+), SYD3 (330 MW+), MEL1 (276 MW+), and MEL2 (354 MW+) - delivering a combined capacity of more than 1.2 GW. Robin Khuda, Founder & CEO of AirTrunk, says, “Australia has set bold ambitions to become a global AI hub, and demand for AI ready infrastructure continues to grow. MEL2 is part of our response. Working closely with Invest Victoria, we’re expanding in Melbourne to support Australia’s AI future while creating new opportunities for local business and communities. “AI data centres require significant upfront investment, and AirTrunk’s strong balance sheet and proven regional track record helps give global AI customers confidence in reliable, on time deployment in Australia.” Victorian Premier, the Hon. Jacinta Allan, adds, “Victoria is leading Australia’s digital transformation, and investments like this will strengthen our state’s position as a hub for cloud and AI innovation, create thousands of jobs, and deliver sustainable infrastructure that supports our growing technology ecosystem." AirTrunk’s expansion in Melbourne follows last week’s announcement of a new hyperscale campus in Osaka, Japan, delivering up to 100MW of IT load in Japan and a AUD $3 billion-plus (£1.48bn) new direct investment in Japan. OSK2 and MEL2 - which will become AirTrunk’s fourteenth and fifteenth data centres respectively - expand the company’s hyperscale platform to deliver a total capacity in excess of 2.6 GW across six markets in Asia Pacific and Middle East: Australia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. AirTrunk’s Melbourne expansion comes as Australia advances its National AI Plan, released in late 2025, which outlines the country’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence. The plan is built around three pillars: capturing the opportunity through investment in infrastructure and skills, spreading the benefits across industries and communities, and keeping Australians safe through responsible AI governance. By delivering a new hyperscale data centre in Melbourne, AirTrunk says that it is directly supporting these national goals, enabling smarter government services, faster business innovation, and stronger human connection, while creating opportunities for local talent and suppliers. For more from AirTrunk, click here.