Pure DC, AVK deploy 'Europe’s first' data centre microgrid

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, together with AVK, a provider of power systems and electrical infrastructure for data centres, have announced the launch of what they describe as Europe’s first, large-scale, 110MW on-site microgrid, developed to support early‑phase site operational resilience. Located within Pure DC’s Dublin campus, the on‑site energy system provides the opportunity for dispatchable capacity to support data centre operations during initial development phases, prior to full integration with the national electricity system as grid connection capacity becomes available. Over time, the campus is intended to operate as part of a hybrid energy configuration, combining grid‑supplied electricity with on‑site infrastructure designed to enhance flexibility, resilience, and system stability. What AVK describes as a "first-of-its-kind deployment in Europe" showcases the ability to use its microgrid technology for on-site power generation, and the transitional and complementary role it can play in supporting the delivery of strategically important digital infrastructure. This is particularly relevant for regions where grid reinforcement and renewable generation are being delivered on a phased basis under national planning frameworks. A replicable model The microgrid also represents a blueprint for energy generation and showcases how large-scale microgrids can be replicated across Europe - with Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK having been identified as key target markets for the technology. The Mayor of Fingal County Council, Councillor Tom O'Leary, comments, “Fingal wants to remain a champion for breakthrough technologies, but we also understand that progress must be delivered in a way that is climate friendly, resilient, and aligned with Ireland’s energy transition. That’s why this project is so important. "A microgrid that can generate and manage its own power supports future integration into the national grid, integrates renewable energy, enables storage, and trials new low‑carbon fuels like biomethane. This is innovation with purpose.” Gary Wojtaszek, Pure DC’s Executive Chairman and interim CEO, notes, “The biggest barrier to deploying AI infrastructure in Europe today isn’t technology; it’s power. This microgrid proves that even the most constrained markets can unlock new digital capacity, giving Ireland the opportunity to lead Europe’s next chapter of AI infrastructure. "The future of AI infrastructure will be built where energy and compute come together, and that’s exactly what we’re building at Pure.” Speaking about the project, Ben Pritchard, CEO of AVK-SEG, adds, “We are delighted to have worked with Pure DC to deliver this groundbreaking project. While several microgrids are already in operation in the US, until today there were none of these deployments in Europe. This project demonstrates how carefully designed onsite energy infrastructure can complement national energy planning frameworks. “This recognises that power is now the new differentiator for data centres, and that energy has shifted from being a utility to a strategic asset - shaping the location, design, economics, and competitiveness for operators. "The first of many in Europe, this microgrid has the capability to revolutionise the data centre power race as we know it, providing a complementary solution that will ease gridlock and pave the way for greater take-up of AI and cloud.” Powering the digital economy Pure DC’s microgrid is comprised of three, interconnected energy centres, with each building generating up to 30 MW of power. Energy Centre 1 (EC1) and EC2 will be fully operational by the end of 2026 and will be followed by EC3 at a later stage. The design includes combined heat and power (CHP) capability, with infrastructure in place to enable heat recovery and potential future connection to district heating networks, subject to third‑party demand and regulatory approvals. Waste heat recovery systems are also used to improve operational efficiency within the energy centres. Future water management measures include rainwater harvesting and on‑site treatment, reducing reliance on mains water for engine‑related processes. The system is engineered to accommodate incremental changes in fuel composition - including hydrogen blending - supporting future decarbonisation of the gas network in line with national policy developments. Pure DC’s battery energy storage system (BESS) is integrated to manage load fluctuations and enhance operational efficiency, improving response times and enabling more optimal engine operation. The BESS is designed to support future renewable energy integration as part of a broader transition pathway. For more from Pure DC, click here, and for more from AVK, click here.

Legrand's UPS wins Data Centre World award

French multinational infrastructure products manufacturer Legrand’s Keor FLEX modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) has won the Best Reuse or Recycling of Products, Energy, or Data Centre Infrastructure category at the Data Centre World Awards 2026. The award was presented during Data Centre World London, held on 4–5 March at ExCel London, and recognises projects and technologies that support resource reuse, waste reduction, and improved sustainability across the data centre sector. Keor FLEX was recognised for its modular architecture and design approach aimed at extending the operational lifespan of critical power infrastructure. Modular design focused on lifecycle extension Unlike traditional UPS systems that require replacement of the entire unit at the end of its lifecycle, the Keor FLEX system allows individual power or bypass modules to be replaced or refurbished independently. The system uses a hot-swappable modular design, allowing capacity to be expanded or maintained without taking the entire system offline. According to Legrand, the system achieves 98.6% efficiency in online double conversion mode and more than 99% efficiency in ECO mode. It also has an 85% recyclability rate under IEC/TR 62635, with more than 69% recyclable metal content and packaging that includes 50% recycled material. The UPS integrates silicon carbide technology and a low-impedance internal busbar architecture, designed to reduce thermal stress on components and extend the lifespan of power modules. Keor FLEX also supports a universal battery interface that allows existing VRLA, lithium-ion, or nickel-zinc battery systems to be retained during upgrades. Marc Marazzi, Vice President at Legrand Data Center Solutions Europe, says, “Data centres are under pressure to deliver more compute power while reducing environmental impact. “Keor FLEX proves that sustainability and performance are not mutually exclusive. By designing circularity into the core architecture, we’ve created a UPS platform that extends asset life, reduces waste, lowers energy consumption, and supports evolving AI workloads - all while improving total cost of ownership. This reflects Legrand’s broader sustainability commitments, including being awarded an ‘A’ rating by CDP for the second consecutive year.” The system is designed to scale from 100kW to 1.2MW per frame, with up to 4.8MW available in parallel configurations for larger data centre environments. For more from Legrand, click here.

'Agentic core networks shape 6G, unlocking new business'

At MWC Barcelona 26, Dr Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless CTO, delivered a keynote speech on 6G core network. He introduced Agentic Core Networks as the revolutionary 6G-orientated AI core network driven by agentic AI and explained that the architecture seamlessly integrates application creation with network customisation to deliver intent-as-a-service, empowering operators to explore new business models and drive growth in the 6G era. The agentic AI technology is rapidly redefining applications and services from human-centric to agent-centric. This transition is already fuelling an explosion in data traffic, with global token consumption surging by over 100 times in the past year and traffic from AI-training web crawlers increasing 21-fold. At the same time, AI agents have seen rapid adoption in enterprise scenarios, with 80% of Fortune 500 companies now integrating them into their operations. AI will be a pivotal enabler of 6G. From AI-enabled terminals to AI-powered wireless networks and AI core networks, the industry is exploring ways to integrate AI into end-to-end 6G systems to improve spectral and energy efficiency, as well as to establish a robust foundation for the rapid growth of AI applications. In this transformation, the role of the AI core network is particularly critical. It will align with the advancing trends in AI technologies, reshaping the 6G core network by incorporating agentic AI. This transformation will unlock new service models and monetisation avenues, as well as expanding business opportunities for operators. The introduction of Agentic Core Networks Agentic Core Networks architecture brings a fundamental shift to service processes. Traditionally, all operations were carried out based on predefined procedures. However, the AI core network utilises Agentic NAS to proactively detect user needs, predict user intent ahead of OTT applications, and autonomously generate, execute, and continuously optimise personalised services through multi-agent collaboration. This transition enables fully automated operations, reduces TCO, ensures a superior user experience, shifting from fixed connections to intent-driven services. Agentic Core Networks will become integrated platforms of network functions, operator services, and third-party tools. This architecture enables service applications to be dynamically onboarded and iterated like plug-ins, cutting service rollout time from weeks down to minutes. More than a technological advancement, this marks a strategic shift in operators' business models: from providing connectivity to delivering intelligent services, from passively meeting user needs to proactively enabling service scenarios, and from relatively closed network systems to open ecosystems. Closed-loop capabilities spanning intent recognition, AI-driven generation, and ecosystem monetisation will be essential for operators seeking to capture value in the 6G era. Agentic Core Networks capabilities will allow 6G to deliver precise services in high-value scenarios. For example, in dynamic hotspots such as stadiums or disaster recovery sites, 6G can be deployed on demand and reclaimed once the need subsides. In the short term, high-value applications - like autonomous taxi dispatch or remote assistance by humanoid robots and AI-driven orchestration - will unlock new business opportunities. Ultimately, it will help 6G strike the optimal balance between deployment costs and business value. In his address, Wen concluded that the strategic priorities of Agentic Core Networks are becoming increasingly clear. He called for accelerating exploration in the 5G-A era to build a solid connectivity foundation for AI terminals and applications, powered by multi-dimensional network capabilities. This, he noted, represents the first step for the evolution of the entire industry ecosystem. Looking ahead, Wen emphasised that with the advancement of 6G standards and technologies, Agentic Core Networks will enable collaboration between terminals and networks, foster scenario-specific applications, and cultivate a robust industry chain ecosystem. These efforts, he added, will infuse the entire mobile industry with new vitality and unlock new growth opportunities. MWC Barcelona 2026 was held between 2–5 March in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei showcased its latest products and solutions at Stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast, and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei says it is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to unleash the full potential of 5G-A and pave the way for the evolution to 6G. It adds that it is also creating AI-Centric Network solutions to enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs), speeding up the large-scale deployment of level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4), and using AI to upgrade its core business. Together with other industry players, it says it will create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future. For more information, you can visit Huawei’s website by clicking here. For more from Huawei, click here.

STMicroelectronics begins silicon photonics production for AI

STMicroelectronics (ST), a Swiss-Italian semiconductor manufacturer, has begun high-volume production of its silicon photonics platform designed for optical interconnects in data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company’s PIC100 platform is used in optical transceivers deployed by hyperscale operators to support high-speed connectivity within data centres and AI clusters. The 800G and 1.6T transceivers are intended to support increasing bandwidth requirements while reducing latency and energy consumption. Production is being carried out on 300mm semiconductor manufacturing lines, which the company says allow the platform to be produced at scale as demand for AI infrastructure grows. Fabio Gualandris, President of Quality, Manufacturing and Technology at STMicroelectronics, says, “Following the announcement of its new silicon photonics technology in February 2025, ST is now entering high-volume production for leading hyperscalers. "The combination of our technology platform and the superior scale of our 300mm manufacturing lines gives us a unique competitive advantage to support the AI infrastructure super-cycle. “Looking ahead, we are planning and executing on capacity expansions to enable more than quadrupling of production by 2027. This fast expansion is fully underpinned by customers’ long-term capacity reservation commitments.” Silicon photonics technology for optical interconnects Silicon photonics technology combines optical and electronic components to enable high-speed data transmission between servers, switches, and other computing infrastructure. According to market research firm LightCounting, the data centre pluggable optics market reached $15.5 billion (£11.5 billion) in 2025 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 17% between 2025 and 2030. Vladimir Kozlov, CEO and Chief Analyst at LightCounting, says, “The data centre pluggable optics market continues to expand strongly, reaching $15.5 billion (£11.5 billion) in 2025. We expect the market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% from 2025 through 2030, surpassing $34 billion (£25.3 billion) by the end of the forecast period. In addition, co-packaged optics (CPO) will emerge as a rapidly growing segment, contributing more than $9 billion (£6.7 billion) in revenue by 2030. Over the same period, the share of transceivers incorporating silicon photonics modulators is projected to increase from 43% in 2025 to 76% by 2030. “ST’s leading silicon photonics platform coupled with its aggressive capacity expansion plan illustrates its capabilities to provide hyperscalers with secure, long-term supply, predictable quality, and manufacturing resilience.” STMicroelectronics is also developing the next stage of its silicon photonics roadmap with the PIC100 TSV platform. This technology will integrate through-silicon via connections to increase optical connectivity density, improve module integration, and support system-level thermal efficiency. The platform is designed to support emerging architectures such as near packaged optics and co-packaged optics, which aim to bring optical connectivity closer to processing hardware within large-scale computing systems. The company will present further updates on its silicon photonics technology at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference in Los Angeles, USA, between 15 and 19 March 2026.

Huawei: Accelerating towards the agentic internet era

At MWC Barcelona 2026, Li Peng, Huawei's Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, delivered a keynote on how carriers can maximise the value of 5G-A and AI to accelerate towards the agentic internet era. Li proposed that, as networks converge with AI, carriers have the opportunity to redefine the value of connectivity by upgrading to "5G-A x AI". He says this will allow them to not only monetise traffic and experience, but also AI services. Leap in industry value: Entering a 10-trillion-dollar agentic internet era Over the past few years, the mobile industry has steadily evolved from 4G to 5G, and some carriers have begun deploying 5G-A. As networks are stronger than ever, they are bringing intelligent applications to all kinds of devices. Li said, "This year, we're entering the agentic internet era. Networks will not only connect people; they will also connect hundreds of billions of agents." The rise of agent applications over the next decade, however, will increase connectivity demands, as networks will not simply facilitate human communication but also communication between agents. This will drive carriers to shift from offering traffic to offering high-value services and open up a new market worth $10 trillion (£7.4 trillion). Business model upgrade: Elevating brands and offerings to unlock new revenue streams The evolution of network capabilities will also result in changes to carrier business models. In the seven years since the commercialisation of 5G, more than 300 carriers around the world have launched new packages to monetise traffic, and this has helped them grow both their revenue and user-base. As 5G networks continue to mature, experience monetisation will be more essential to carriers' success. 5G SA and 5G-A provide more diverse network resources that more than 30 leading carriers have used to launch experience-based packages to monetise speeds, latency, and more. By dynamically scheduling resources, carriers can go beyond "best-effort" service to deterministic experience. This helps them strengthen brand reputation and users' willingness to spend on premium services. By offering services like custom logo displays and multi-level speed boosts, carriers are able to guarantee network performance at critical moments and enhance users' perception of network quality. Connectivity and AI service convergence: Unleashing new growth potential with AI-powered consumer, home, and enterprise services Li also explained how carriers will be able to transform their main services and improve consumer satisfaction by applying AI models: ● AI for consumers: First, AI can be integrated into traditional calling services. There are currently 5.4 billion calling service users around the world, and AI can be used to unlock features like transcription, translation, and AI assistants. Many of these features have already entered large-scale commercial use in China and South Korea. In addition, more and more carriers are launching AI phones to act as portals for the agentic era. They are using these phones to upgrade their B2C services - the largest source of revenue for most carriers. ● AI for homes: In addition to the recent initiatives by carriers to upgrade home broadband towards ultra-gigabit, AI is also being implemented to enable smart home services. For example, acceleration assistants can guarantee deterministic speeds for key services like gaming and livestreaming. Network assistants can help people optimise their Wi-Fi and resolve network faults via voice commands. AI lifestyle assistants are also a promising avenue for carriers looking to unlock new value from traditional services. By integrating AI with video and storage services, they do things like automatically generating cloud-based family albums that can be shared between devices. ● AI for business: In industrial scenarios, the convergence of 5G-A and AI can be used to transform core workflows and significantly improve production efficiency. For example, in flexible manufacturing, AI-enabled factories will be able to respond to demand in seconds, schedule new production runs in minutes, and deliver new products in hours. New vision: Helping carriers upgrade their portfolio with AI services "Looking ahead, there are still many opportunities just waiting to be unlocked with 5G-A and AI, and carriers are in the best position to explore future applications like massive IoT and embodied AI," said Li at the event. He also recommended three courses of action for carriers to seize these opportunities: First, carriers should evolve all services, devices, and frequency bands to 5G-A to create a thriving network ecosystem. Second, carriers should introduce AI into B.O.M. (business, operations, management) domains; this will provide a foundation for diversified O&M services. Third, carriers should bring intelligence to infrastructure to support the evolution of future network architecture. "Huawei is ready to work closely with carriers to make the most of 5G-A and AI and help them evolve into AI service providers," concluded Li. "We can work with carriers to upgrade their main services through the multi-agent collaboration platform. We can also help them build AI-centric networks for more efficient operations. Together, we can unlock a world of new opportunities and lay a strong foundation for future networks." MWC Barcelona 2026 was held between 2–5 March in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei showcased its latest products and solutions at Stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast, and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei says it is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to unleash the full potential of 5G-A and pave the way for the evolution to 6G. It adds that it is also creating AI-Centric Network solutions to enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs), speeding up the large-scale deployment of level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4), and using AI to upgrade its core business. Together with other industry players, it says it will create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future. For more information, you can visit Huawei's website by clicking here. For more from Huawei, click here.

Tecnair launches new CDUs for data centre cooling

Tecnair, a manufacturer of close control air conditioning units for data centres and a Panasonic company, has introduced a new range of coolant distribution units (CDUs) designed for high-density artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (HPC) data centres. The systems were presented at Data Centre World London 2026, held on 4–5 March, and are intended to support liquid cooling deployments as computing densities increase. Rising AI workloads are pushing rack densities beyond levels typically supported by traditional air cooling. The CDU range has been developed to support liquid cooling architectures, including direct-to-chip and immersion cooling, helping data centre operators manage higher thermal loads. The units are designed for environments where rack densities regularly exceed 50kW and are approaching 100kW. Liquid cooling for high-density infrastructure The CDU range is available in capacities of 400kW and 800kW and can be deployed across a range of environments, from edge facilities to hyperscale data centres. The systems include redundant components such as pumps, power supplies, and sensors to support continuous operation in mission-critical environments. A failover capability is also included to maintain cooling during maintenance or component failure. According to Tecnair, the units can achieve partial power usage effectiveness (pPUE) values as low as 1.02 through the use of free-cooling coils and micro-channel heat exchanger technology. Monitoring functions are integrated through Modbus building management system connectivity, enabling real-time visibility of parameters including temperature, pressure, flow rate, water level, and leak detection. The CDU range is designed to integrate with Panasonic cooling systems, including free-cooling chillers using R1234ze refrigerant with a low global warming potential. These chillers use outside air temperatures, down to -10°C, to generate chilled water through a free-cooling function, supporting improved energy efficiency in suitable climates. For more from Tecnair, click here.

Pure DC appoints new Chairman and Interim CEO

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has appointed Gary Wojtaszek as Executive Chairman and Interim CEO as the company enters a new phase of expansion across Europe and the Middle East. Gary previously led data centre operator CyrusOne through a period of growth that culminated in its $15 billion (£11 billion) acquisition by KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners. The appointment comes as demand for data centre capacity continues to grow, driven by cloud services and artificial intelligence workloads, with Pure DC saying it is expanding its presence in established European cloud markets and developing large-scale AI-focused campuses across the region. Gary comments, “Pure DC has built a strong, differentiated platform across Europe and the Middle East. The AI wave that transformed the US market is now emerging across Europe, and the opportunity to scale a focused, high-quality platform at this moment is compelling. "Our objective is clear: expand in supply-constrained core markets, deliver for hyperscale and AI customers at the highest standards, and develop the next generation of large-scale AI campuses across the region.” Leadership transition at a time of expansion As part of the leadership change, Dame Dawn Childs will move from CEO to the role of President of Pure DC. She has led the company since May 2023. She notes, “Gary’s appointment is a significant milestone for Pure DC. His global leadership experience and proven ability to scale complex infrastructure platforms make him uniquely suited to lead our next chapter of growth. "We have strong momentum and a world-class team, and this leadership transition positions us to accelerate further.” Pure DC says it currently has more than 1GW of data centre capacity either operational or under development, with several projects underway across Europe and the Middle East. For more from Pure DC, click here.

AirTrunk secures $1.2bn Tokyo data centre loan

Australian data centre operator AirTrunk has secured a ¥191.6 billion ($1.24 billion; £903 million) green loan to refinance and expand its TOK1 hyperscale data centre campus in East Tokyo, Japan. The financing is reportedly the largest data centre loan completed in Japan to date and will support further development of the campus as demand for cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure grows. The loan, structured under AirTrunk’s Green Financing Framework, will refinance existing facilities and fund new development phases at the TOK1 site. The campus is designed to scale to more than 300MW of capacity. The company also says it has recently started construction to add more than 100MW of IT load to meet near-term customer demand. The financing was led by SMBC, MUFG, Crédit Agricole CIB, and Société Générale as global coordinators. A total of 12 banks participated as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners. Expansion of hyperscale infrastructure in Japan AirTrunk says the financing forms part of its wider investment in Japan’s digital infrastructure. Most notably, the operator recently announced OSK2, its second hyperscale data centre in Osaka, alongside the establishment of a new headquarters in Japan. At full build-out, AirTrunk’s four campuses in Japan - TOK1, TOK2, OSK1, and OSK2 - are expected to deliver around 530MW of capacity to support cloud and AI workloads. Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, comments, “Japan is one of the world’s most important cloud and AI markets, and we’re committed to building the digital infrastructure that enables its long-term growth. "AirTrunk has been investing deeply in Japan for this reason: to build the hyperscale platform that will underpin the country’s digital future and connect it to the broader region. "This landmark financing enables us to accelerate the expansion of TOK1 and continue delivering the capacity our customers need today, while preparing Japan for the extraordinary compute demands ahead.” Masato Hori, Associate Vice President Treasury Japan at AirTrunk, adds, “This is the largest data centre financing ever completed in Japan and a testament to the deep collaboration between AirTrunk and our banking partners. We’re especially grateful for the strong support from Japan’s leading financial institutions including SMBC, MUFG, Chiba Bank and Mizuho Bank. "The structure of the facility reflects our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and innovation in capital markets, and further strengthens AirTrunk’s financing platform across the region.” The financing also includes margin incentives that will be directed to the AirTrunk Social Impact Fund, supporting community initiatives in Japan including STEM education, digital inclusion, biodiversity, and disaster relief. For more from AirTrunk, click here.

'Gen Z don’t want data centres in their backyard'

New polling conducted by YouGov, a UK international market research and data analytics company, on behalf of Cavendish Consulting, a UK communications consultancy, reveals that while the UK public broadly supports the expansion of data centres, younger generations are significantly less comfortable with them on their doorstep. Just 44% of Gen Z say they would support a new data centre in their local area - the lowest level of support of any generation - while 31% would actively oppose one. By contrast, Gen Z opposition to data centres nationally stands at just 13%, highlighting that proximity is a key issue. The survey of 2,124 UK adults aged over 18 shows strong backing for the sector overall. Some 69% of Brits support new data centres across the UK. However, support falls to 56% when developments are proposed locally, with opposition more than doubling from 10% nationally to 21% in respondents’ own areas. The findings come as the UK Government plans a major expansion of data centre capacity to bolster the country’s position as a global hub for AI innovation and to unlock significant productivity gains. Capacity is expected to increase from 1.6GW in 2024 to between 3.3GW and 6.3GW by 2030. Jobs drive support, but expectations may outpace reality Employment is the sector’s strongest argument at community level. Nearly half (49%) of respondents say new local jobs would make them more likely to support a data centre, rising to 58% among those already supportive. However, the UK’s 450 data centres currently support around 24,300 full-time roles - an average of 54 per site - suggesting public expectations for job creation may exceed the sector’s current footprint. Environment remains the key battleground Environmental concerns dominate opposition, cited by 39% of respondents (particularly among younger audiences). Across generations, the main reasons for opposing local data centres are: impact on the local environment, pressure on energy supply, and water usage (with water being especially important for Gen Z). Notably, only 22% of Gen Z who oppose or are undecided say investment in green space would change their view, and a quarter of opponents say nothing would persuade them to support a local data centre. With the increasing presence of the Green Party, especially at local government level, environmental factors are predicted to become even more influential. Recent YouGov polling conducted by Cavendish Consulting (22–23 Feb 2026) shows 46% of young people would now vote Green, highlighting the political dimension of environmental concern. The top reasons that could sway Gen Z to support local data centres are new jobs (45%) and lower energy bills (37%). Max Camplin, Executive Director at Cavendish Consulting, comments, “While national support for data centres is strong, local backing depends on credibility. "Environmental impact is the top driver of opposition, particularly among younger audiences who prioritise ecological protection over economic benefits. The sector must address this head on, countering misconceptions and clearly demonstrating how impacts are prevented. Above all, developers should speak the language of each community, tailoring messages to local priorities and political context, with environmental responsibility running as a golden thread throughout.”

Data centre land platform, TEA Real Estate, launched

A new specialist real estate platform, TEA Real Estate, has been formed with a focus on identifying and preparing land for data centre development across the UK and Europe. The company aims to secure and prepare sites suitable for digital infrastructure as demand grows from hyperscalers, operators, and institutional investors. Founded by Gary Goodman, John Clarke, and Paul Boyfield, the business focuses on sites where planning, utilities, and environmental challenges must be addressed before development can begin. It will work across the UK and selected European markets, preparing land for potential data centre projects. The team also includes Duncan Clubb, Associate Partner, who has experience advising on mission-critical data centre and enterprise infrastructure. Focus on brownfield and constrained sites TEA Real Estate says it focuses on progressing constrained or underused land, including brownfield and redundant industrial sites, through planning, environmental, and infrastructure processes so that development can move forward. Sites with existing grid connections are increasingly important as power availability becomes a key constraint on data centre growth. The company says it already has visibility of a pipeline of potential opportunities across the UK and Europe, ranging from smaller edge facilities to large campus-scale developments. It may operate either as an advisor or as a development partner, depending on project requirements. John Clarke, Partner at TEA Real Estate, notes, “There is no shortage of capital and demand for data centres, but there is a real shortage of viable, deliverable land. TEA Real Estate exists to bridge that gap - doing the hard development work upfront to turn complex sites into opportunities that investors and operators can move on with confidence.” Gary Goodman, Partner, adds, “Planning, power, and environmental risk are now the defining constraints on data centre growth. Our focus is on de-risking sites properly - from contaminated land and remediation through to planning strategy and stakeholder management - so that development can progress with greater certainty and pace.” Paul Boyfield, Partner, comments, “AI presents one of the biggest economic opportunities for UK plc in a generation, but it also brings significant challenges around infrastructure, energy, and planning. "If the UK is to remain competitive, we need to move faster in enabling the physical foundations that AI depends on. TEA Real Estate is focused on helping unlock that growth by making complex sites viable and investable.” TEA Real Estate says it will work with data centre operators seeking land for development, institutional investors and infrastructure funds looking for access to development-ready sites, and major landowners seeking to repurpose redundant estates. Associate Partner Duncan Clubb concludes, “Operators want locations that work technically as well as commercially. TEA Real Estate understands the operational realities of mission-critical infrastructure and aligns land, power, and planning strategy with how data centres are actually designed, built, and run.”