Carrier launches CRAH for data centres

Carrier, a manufacturer of HVAC, refrigeration, and fire and security equipment, has introduced the AiroVision 39CV Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH), expanding its QuantumLeap portfolio with a precision cooling system designed for medium- to large-scale data centre environments. Developed and manufactured in Europe, the AiroVision 39CV is intended to support energy efficiency, reliability, and shorter lead times, while meeting EU regulatory requirements. The unit offers a cooling capacity from 20kW to 250kW and is designed to operate with elevated chilled water temperatures. Carrier states that this approach can improve energy performance and contribute to lower power usage effectiveness (PUE) by enabling more efficient chiller operation and supporting free cooling strategies. Factory-integrated design for simplified deployment The AiroVision 39CV features a built-in controller for real-time monitoring, adaptive operation, and integration with building management systems. The control platform can be configured to suit specific operational requirements. All components are factory-integrated to reduce on-site installation and commissioning work. Additional features, including an auto transfer switch and ultra-capacitors, are intended to support service continuity in critical environments. Michel Grabon, EMEA Marketing and Market Verticals Director at Carrier, says, “The 39CV is a strategic addition to our QuantumLeap Solutions portfolio, designed to help data centre operators address today’s most pressing challenges: increasing thermal loads from higher computing densities, the need to reduce energy consumption to meet sustainability targets, and the pressure to deploy solutions quickly and efficiently. "With its high-efficiency design, intelligent control system, and factory-integrated components, the 39CV helps operators to improve energy performance, optimise installation time, and build scalable infrastructures with confidence.” For more from Carrier, click here.

Pulsant opens high-density UK facility outside London

UK data centre operator Pulsant has completed a £10 million investment in a new high-density data hall at its Milton Keynes site, SE-1. The facility has been developed to support increased demand for artificial intelligence and advanced computing workloads, with the expansion forming part of Pulsant’s national platformEDGE framework, extending high-performance, UK-based infrastructure outside the London market. The 1.2MW expansion is designed for high-density computing applications, including AI, machine learning, and accelerated workloads. These use cases are commonly associated with sectors such as financial services, healthcare, biotechnology, IT, and gaming. Regional capacity beyond the London market Pulsant positions the Milton Keynes site as an alternative location for organisations seeking UK data centre capacity outside London. The site sits within the Oxford-Cambridge technology cluster, which is home to around 570,000 employees and generates approximately £135 billion in annual turnover. The facility offers latency of around two milliseconds to London Docklands and Slough. It forms part of Pulsant’s network of 14 UK data centres, interconnected via a 400Gb-capable network, providing access to more than 1,600 cloud services, network providers, and business partners. The launch follows increased focus on domestic digital infrastructure, including government funding aimed at strengthening UK AI capability. Milton Keynes has continued to attract technology businesses, supported by regional business networks and digital innovation activity. Rob Coupland, CEO at Pulsant, says, “The £10 million expansion of our Milton Keynes data centre is another big investment in our digital platform to meet hunger for high density compute power. "UK digital infrastructure is facing unprecedented demand. With AI-ready capacity in short supply, bringing high performance, flexibility, and choice to regional locations is critical. “For organisations looking for ultra-low latency, international connectivity, and UK sovereign compute power, Milton Keynes is a great option compared to constrained and costly London data centres which lack the opportunity for expansion. “Our unique platform gives local, national, and international clients the flexibility to circumvent some of the risks associated with the London cluster while maintaining high performance, resilience, and connectivity.” Pulsant states that it plans to roll out its high-density model to additional UK regions as part of its wider national infrastructure strategy. For more from Pulsant, click here.

North East England data centre hub launched

A consortium of North East engineering and manufacturing powerhouses have joined forces to launch a new not-for-profit forum designed to help shape and propel the future of the data centre sector in the region. The North East Data Centre Hub has been founded by major global companies including RED Engineering Design, Cleveland Cable Company, CMP Products, Durata, and RWO Associates. Together, the founding members says they share a clear ambition to build momentum by collaborating on the development of a strong local engineering, construction, and digital supply chain to support data centre projects across the region and beyond. Opportunities in the North East With the North East strongly positioned as one of Europe’s largest data centre and AI infrastructure hubs - driven by government policy, energy availability, and major hyperscale investment - the launch of the hub provides an opportunity to shape the conversation locally and accelerate growth through regular engagement. The initiative aims to unlock the region’s full potential as a leading data centre destination. To mark its launch, the consortium will host the North East Data Centre Hub’s first networking event (which is already fully booked) on 25 February, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, at Liberty House in Newcastle's city centre. Speaking about the North East Data Hub and its first event, John McGee (pictured above), Group CEO at Durata, says, “The hub provides an excellent opportunity for professionals in the sector - from developers and operators through to consultants and suppliers - to collaborate, share innovation, and exchange best practice. "By strengthening local connections, we can amplify the North East’s contribution to the wider UK and global data centre market. “We are delighted with the companies spearheading this initiative. Each brings extensive global experience in delivering critical infrastructure projects and, by working together - and joining forces with other local businesses - we can build a strong, resilient regional supply chain that supports long‑term growth, investment, and skills development in the North East. “With registration already reaching full capacity for our first event, it’s clear there is strong appetite for a hub of this nature. Many delegates will be attending with a shared goal, and this is just the beginning. We have an exciting programme of events planned over the next 12 months, with much more to come from the North East Data Centre Hub.” The North East Data Centre Hub is open to organisations across the data centre ecosystem, with plans for a programme of bi-monthly events hosted across the region, featuring speakers and with the opportunity for discussion and continued networking. To be the first to know about upcoming events and industry news from the newly formed hub, you can sign up for alerts by clicking here.

Aggreko: Power supply will decide AI winners and losers

Following the publication of a report that states up to a third of US data centres are expected to be fully off-grid by 2030, Aggreko, a British multinational temporary power generation company, is warning that the European market could follow the same trend, noting that the provision of power will be the deciding factor in the companies and markets that draw the biggest benefit from the ongoing AI boom. Bloom Energy’s 2026 power report, which looks specifically at developments in the US data centre market, also indicates that data centres are already beginning to move from areas where the grid is strained to those that can offer more ample supply. For instance, Texas’s data centre load is set to double by 2028, while traditionally leading areas like California and Oregon are set to lose 50% of their relative market share. Billy Durie, Global Sector Head of Data Centres at Aggreko, believes that these findings are a sign of what is to come in Europe, stating, “I am not surprised by the findings of Bloom’s latest report. Securing a reliable power supply has long been the bugbear of data centre operators across the world, though increasing power demand driven by the development of AI is now taking this challenge to new extremes in the US and Europe. “Depending on which source you look at, AI is set to increase power demand by as much as 150% by 2035, which is why operators are either relocating or taking power provision into their own hands in an attempt to find a permanent solution. “In my experience, these trends tend to emerge earlier in the US than in Europe, though we can certainly expect this market to follow suit. While this is a global challenge, with older grid infrastructure and more severe strain in Europe, you could even argue that we will see an even more acute response on this side of the pond very soon.” Moving off-grid in Europe The effects of grid strain on European data centre development have been well documented. In Scotland, a recent study has indicated that AI data centres could consume up to 75% of the nation’s electricity, while in Switzerland, there are fears that Zurich’s grid no longer has capacity to deal with additional demand. With comparatively limited options for relocation in Europe, many data centre operators have already turned to decentralised energy, though fully off-grid facilities are yet to be realised on a wider scale. Among the most popular solutions available on the market today are stage-V generators for short-term projects, while gas generators, microgrids, and renewables coupled with battery energy storage systems (BESS) are all in-demand options for energy provision and bridging power during upgrades. Small modular reactors (SMRs) also hold a place in the plans of many stakeholders, though are not expected to be commercially available until the end of the next decade, requiring effective bridging solutions in the interim. Billy concludes, “For European data centre operators who don’t have the same power of relocation that their US counterparts do, the ability to reduce dependence on the grid will be critical. Fortunately, there are already many solutions already available to help them do this, and even more exciting technologies in development. "Whatever option they choose to deploy, one thing is certain: the ability to source a stable power supply will dictate the winners and losers of the AI boom.” For more from Aggreko, click here.

DataVita secures £44.9m contract with Glasgow City Council

DataVita, a UK data centre and cloud services provider, has announced it has secured a major contract with Glasgow City Council to provide the city’s core compute and storage services. The initial agreement is valued at £44.9 million over five years and nine months and will see DataVita modernise the Council's digital backbone to underpin essential public services. The partnership includes options for the Council to extend for multiple periods and, should the contract run for its maximum permitted duration of over 10 years, the total projected value is estimated to be between £80 million and £110 million. Under the initial term, which began on 8 October 2025, DataVita will deliver a comprehensive suite of services from its Tier-III-certified Scottish data centres. These services will form the foundation of the Council's IT infrastructure, supporting over 400 applications that are critical to daily public services. The scope includes providing resilient primary and disaster recovery environments, managing virtual and physical servers, scalable storage, and "robust backup solutions" featuring immutable copies for maximum data protection. As part of the contract, up to 25 new roles will also be created, including several apprenticeships, which DataVita says reflects its "commitment to skills development and job creation within Scotland’s tech sector." Investments in Scotland's backbone Danny Quinn, Managing Director of DataVita, comments, "We are incredibly proud to be selected as a strategic partner for Glasgow City Council. We are focused on delivering exceptional value and innovation over the initial term and see this as the start of a long-term partnership. "Our mission is to provide a resilient, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure that will not only meet the city's needs today, but also support its ambitions for the future. This award is a testament to our team's expertise and our commitment to investing in Scotland's technology ecosystem." As part of Glasgow's transition to a multi-source IT delivery model, DataVita will integrate with the Council's Service Integration and Management (SIAM) function, aiming to ensure efficient and collaborative service delivery alongside other partners. Paul Leinster, Chair of the Digital Glasgow Board from Glasgow City Council, says, “The essential services that we deliver to citizens and the value they add to people’s lives are always our first priorities. “Increasingly, though, we rely on a complex digital estate to deliver those services, and this contract will ensure we have a secure, resilient platform to support what is an incredibly diverse range of work. "DataVita brings proven capability here in Scotland, and their commitment to renewable, energy‑efficient operations aligns with Glasgow’s ambitions for a cleaner, greener city.” For more from DataVita, click here.

UK parliamentarians launch Data Centres APPG

MPs and peers have launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) focused on data centres, examining the sector’s role in economic growth, digital infrastructure resilience, and net zero targets. The cross-party group is chaired by Chris Curtis MP, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North and Chair of the Labour Growth Group. Other officers include: • Lewis Cocking MP, Conservative MP for Broxbourne (as co-chair)• Alison Griffiths MP, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton• Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, former Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero The APPG aims to improve parliamentary understanding of data centre development across the UK, review challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and produce evidence-based policy recommendations. The group will examine areas including infrastructure delivery, planning considerations, and energy demand linked to sector growth. The APPG has opened a formal call for evidence, inviting contributions from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem. Submissions will help shape the group’s Terms of Reference and define its areas of focus for 2026. Stakeholders invited to contribute include data centre operators and developers, energy suppliers, network operators, water providers, investors, consultancy organisations, local authorities, technology providers, trade associations, environmental groups, and academic institutions. Consultation launched to gather industry evidence Chris Curtis MP, Chair of the Data Centres APPG, notes, “Data centres are a vital part of the UK’s digital economy, and it is essential that we remain an attractive destination for the investment that drives growth and creates high-skilled jobs. "As Chair of the APPG, I want to ensure Parliament has the evidence and understanding it needs to shape a balanced approach: one that supports development, delivers real economic benefits, and works for local communities, while recognising wider considerations. "Getting this right will be critical to securing the UK’s long-term digital future.” Lewis Cocking MP, Co-Chair of the Data Centres APPG, adds, “Data centre development must work for the communities that host them. Google's £1 billion investment at Waltham Cross is a clear sign of Broxbourne's growing importance as a hub for technology and innovation, and we must ensure this growth delivers genuine benefits for local people. "This new APPG will focus on ensuring that local voices are heard in planning processes, that developments deliver tangible benefits (such as local jobs and waste heat utilisation), and that the highest environmental standards are met. "Local residents need to have a real say in projects like these. We'll work to ensure developments like Google's enhance Broxbourne and other local areas while meeting our environmental commitments.” Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Officer of the Data Centres APPG, says, “As a former Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to align infrastructure growth with our climate commitments. "Data centres are major energy users, but they're also driving innovation in renewable energy procurement and efficiency. "This APPG will focus on ensuring their growth supports our net zero ambitions, exploring how these facilities can contribute to clean energy infrastructure, utilise waste heat, and support grid modernisation. "With the right policy framework, we can build the digital capacity our economy needs while advancing our environmental goals. Data centres shouldn't be seen as a challenge to net zero, but as part of the solution.”

PFX highlights its SOLUTHERM cooling fluids

PFX Group, a Canadian manufacturer of automotive and industrial fluids, has showcased its SOLUTHERM heat transfer fluid range at the 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, USA. The company presented its thermal management fluids at the Recochem booth during the event, which ran from 2 to 4 February. The SOLUTHERM range is designed to support HVAC system performance, including traditional heating and cooling loops and liquid cooling applications in data centres. The company states that increasing power densities, changing regulatory requirements, and evolving system materials are driving greater demand for effective thermal management. This is particularly relevant in data centres, where continuous operation and high-performance computing environments require reliable temperature control to support equipment performance and operational continuity. The SOLUTHERM range includes glycol-based heat transfer fluids designed to support system efficiency, temperature stability, and corrosion protection. Some formulations are developed to support environmental targets, including biodegradable options and fluids aligned with LEED building requirements. Jerome Dujoux, Vice President of Branding and Innovation at PFX Group, says, “HVAC and data centre cooling are no longer separate conversations. "As computing power increases and buildings become more energy intensive, thermal management is becoming a connective tissue between digital infrastructure and the built environment. That’s the shift SOLUTHERM is designed for.” Thermal fluids for HVAC and data centre cooling Among the products highlighted at the exhibition were SOLUTHERM PG HD and EG HD heat transfer fluids, designed for HVAC applications in facilities including hospitals, universities, and other critical infrastructure environments. The company also presented SOLUTHERM direct liquid cooling fluids, developed for servers and high-performance computing environments. These fluids are designed to operate across a wide temperature range, supporting data centre cooling requirements associated with increasing power density. Additional products included SOLUTHERM PG HD LEED heat transfer fluids, which use bio-based propylene glycol and meet ASTM D8039 corrosion testing standards, and SOLUTHERM PG AL Safe heat transfer fluids, developed for systems containing aluminium components such as boilers, water heaters, and heat exchangers. Tom Corrigan, Director of Research and Development at PFX Group, notes, “Heat transfer fluids are often treated as a commodity when, in reality, they influence energy efficiency, equipment lifespan, and system reliability more than most people realise. "We see thermal management as a strategic decision and that’s why SOLUTHERM is engineered for specific applications and backed with ongoing support.”

EUDCA publishes its new 2026 report

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), the representative body of the European data centre community, has announced the publication of its 2026 State of European Data Centres report. Building upon regional benchmarks established in last year’s report, the new data reveals a European market that has moved beyond the era of hub-centric development and is evolving into a distributed, energy-integrated, and AI-driven digital ecosystem. Europe’s data centre sector is shown to be entering a period of exceptional expansion, structural diversification, and rapid technological transformation, driven by AI hyper-expansion. However, its ability to fully exploit potential growth is threatened by energy availability and access. The new EUDCA report finds European market growth not only within traditional centres - such as the Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin (FLAP-D) - but also rapidly decentralising across Southern Europe, the Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and selected Tier2 metros. Moving from cloud-led growth to AI demand, data centres are now recognised as critical infrastructure underpinning Europe’s competitiveness and security. Growth and investment in Europe’s data centres Europe’s IT power capacity grew from 10,539 MW (2023) to 14,784 MW (2025), exceeding forecasts. Furthermore, €176 billion (£151.6 billion) in cumulative investment is expected from 2026–2031. Within this growth and investment, scale colocation campuses and AI-optimised facilities dominate new builds. A CAGR exceeding 25% through to 2031 is expected for scale colocation, reflecting rising demand for high-density cloud and AI clusters. Traditional retail and wholesale sites continue to expand, but their relative share of new capacity is declining as customers increasingly require multi-building, AI-ready environments with long-term scalability. Hyperscale data centre expansion is accelerating into regions with improving access to renewable energy and favourable operating conditions, as training workloads tend to favour regions with abundant power availability such as the Nordics and parts of Southern Europe. A notable driver of growth is the rise of neocloud, namely providers of ultra-high-density compute with rapid deployment capability and large power tranches aligned with the needs of AI developers, global model providers, and emerging cloud-adjacent platforms. Constraints and socioeconomic impact A significant factor affecting the industry is energy availability and access. Power availability is reported as the top challenge for more than two thirds (67%) of operators. Grid congestion and long connection timelines in many geographies are slowing deployment. Within these developments, AI clusters are pushing extreme rack densities beyond 100kW, calling for changes in data centre design, deployment, and operation, as well as driving a rapid shift towards liquid and hybrid cooling architectures. The European data centre industry continues to make a significant contribution to the economy and society. The report finds a €53 billion (£45.6 billion) GDP contribution in 2025, rising to an expected €137.5 billion (£118.4 billion) by 2031, with more than 300,000 direct, high-skilled jobs supported across the ecosystem. The facilities and campuses also bring local benefits, such as supporting district heating, providing energy grid flexibility services, renewable power purchase agreements (PPA) that support renewable energy development, and community infrastructure. Sustainability progress and regulatory alignment The industry’s rapid growth is firmly aligned with climate and regulatory expectations. The continued application of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) marks a new era of harmonised reporting and transparency for the industry. The vast majority (90%) of energy consumed by European data centres is now generated from renewable energy sources. At the same time, there has been strong progress on water usage effectiveness (WUE), renewable procurement, and heat reuse integration, addressing many of the concerns of the citizenry with regard to data centre facilities. There are outstanding examples of biodiversity, heat reuse, and community benefit projects across Europe. Global leadership and the next phase EUDCA Secretary General Michael Winterson comments, “The exceptional growth of Europe’s data centre market is welcome news at a time when international volatility has focused many geographies on digital sovereignty and security. “Once the issues of power availability and access are addressed, Europe has the opportunity to lead globally in AI-ready infrastructure, while maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and responsible stewardship.” The 2026 State of European Data Centres report clearly demonstrates the need for industry, policymakers, and partners to come together on bold steps to accelerate grid investment and permitting reform. This will require deeper and improved cross-border coordination to achieve greater collaboration on energy system integration. The report states that if these challenges are met, Europe will be positioned not only to accommodate growth in cloud and AI infrastructure, but to lead in the development of a secure, sustainable, and strategically independent digital economy. For more from the EUDCA, click here.

LFB data centre division rebrands as Apx

The data centre division of LFB Group, a European HVAC and refrigeration company, has rebranded as Apx, reflecting a shift in focus towards increasing performance, project complexity, and delivery requirements across the sector. The rebrand follows more than 20 years supporting server room and data centre operations across Europe. The company states the new identity reflects the growing role of cooling systems in high-density and AI-driven data centre environments. Apx has been formed from LFB Group’s dedicated data centre team, previously operating under the Lennox name. The business intends to focus on closer collaboration across design, development, and project delivery, alongside increased emphasis on engineering validation and pre-commissioning processes. Expansion of production and validation capability The company has expanded its facilities in Lyon, France, to support increased engineering, manufacturing, and testing capabilities. Additional sites in Genas, Mions, Longvic, and Burgos form part of a multi-site production and validation network, supporting precision manufacturing, automated testing, and climatic performance validation. Matt Evans, CEO at Apx Data Centre Solutions, says, “The industry’s dams have well and truly burst, with billion dollar projects and developments being announced almost every week. Keeping on top of this demand, though, has never been more important. “Today, collaboration is everything. Operators are searching for partners who can offer them both flexibility and agility, enabling them to build for the future while reacting quickly to what's happening right now. "That's where co-engineering becomes critical: by working with designers, contractors, and operators from day one, we can shape decisions together, anticipate challenges, and engineer solutions before they become problems. “While no-one can predict what's around the corner, one thing is clear: performance has to be proven earlier. It's been one of our grounding principles since the start - the idea that pre-commissioning must be core to every product's DNA. "By front-loading engineering, validating performance up-front and removing uncertainty before components reach sites, we give operators the head space - and time - to meet the demand. “The direction of travel is clear: scale, capacity, and density. And I couldn't be more excited about where we've taken this business. The new Apx name marks our next chapter and it's one we're genuinely proud to be part of.” Broader expansion The company has recently introduced three products aimed at data centre cooling applications, including a computer room air handler, fan wall unit, and coolant distribution unit (CDU). Apx operates within the wider LFB Group, which also includes HVAC manufacturer Redge and refrigeration specialist Friga-Bohn. The group has more than 60 years of experience in refrigeration and mechanical engineering. The company is also expanding its workforce, with recruitment planned across project management, operations, controls, commissioning, and sales support roles in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Apx expects its dedicated data centre team to grow to approximately 50 employees by 2027. For more from LFB Group, click here.

Johnson Controls launches cooling reference design guides

Johnson Controls, a global provider of smart building technologies, has announced the launch of its Reference Design Guide Series for one-gigawatt AI data centres. Each guide in the series maps the full thermal chain, offering cooling architectures tailored to diverse compute densities, geographies, and elevations. The series begins with a blueprint for water-cooled chiller plants, with future guides to address air-cooled and absorption chiller solutions. As AI transforms industries, the scale and complexity of data centre infrastructure is rapidly evolving. The ability to efficiently manage thermal loads at gigawatt scale is now a critical enabler for AI innovation, and the industry faces mounting pressure to deliver facilities that are not only high-performing, but also sustainable and future-ready. Johnson Controls says its Reference Design Guide Series responds to this challenge by outlining how to achieve "industry-leading" energy and water efficiency (PUE and WUE) while maintaining flexibility to scale across diverse climates and operational requirements. The guide outlines a complete thermal architecture supporting both liquid- and air-cooled IT loads through integrated computer room air handlers (CRAHs), fan coil walls, coolant distribution units (CDUs), and high-efficiency YORK centrifugal chillers. It provides sizing guidance for 220MW compute quadrants and defines temperature and operating conditions across all major facility loops, including Technology Cooling System (TCS) loops supporting next-generation GPUs. Stated key outcomes • Zero water consumption — A "fully water-free" heat rejection process using dry coolers, "reducing operational costs and advancing sustainability objectives." • Future-ready thermal flexibility — High-temperature TCS loop readiness aims to ensure compatibility with forthcoming GPU architectures. • Optimised high-density AI performance — Alignment with NVIDIA DSX reference architecture enables scalable deployment of 1-GW-class AI Factories. • Energy-efficient operation — Elevated condenser water temperatures, bifurcated loops, and YORK high-lift chillers aim to deliver good PUE and improved annualised efficiency. Austin Domenici, Vice President & General Manager at Johnson Controls Global Data Center Solutions, says, "AI Factories are production facilities - the places where intelligence is manufactured at an industrial scale. "By supporting the NVIDIA DSX reference architecture and improving water and energy efficiency in the cooling process while maintaining high temperature loop compatibility, our Reference Design Guide equips customers to deploy gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure that is scalable, repeatable, resilient, and sustainable." For more from Johnson Controls, click here.