Data Centre Build News & Insights

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.

Socomec launches energy audit initiative for UKI data centres

Socomec, a manufacturer of low voltage power management systems, has launched an energy audit programme for data centres in the UK and Ireland, aimed at helping operators measure energy use and meet reporting requirements under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED). Under EU EED rules, owners and operators of facilities with a capacity above 500kW must disclose their power usage effectiveness (PUE) and other environmental performance indicators each year. The next reporting deadline is 15 May 2026. The directive closely aligns with the UK’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and the ISO 50001 standard, which requires organisations to monitor and report energy consumption and power utilisation accurately. Improving PUE is also becoming an operational priority for data centres as electricity costs increase and workloads linked to artificial intelligence raise power demand. Socomec estimates that improving PUE by 0.1 - from 1.6 to 1.5, for example - can reduce annual energy consumption by around 6–8%. For a 2MW data centre, this could equate to more than £100,000 in yearly energy savings while also extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure. Energy infrastructure assessments for operators Data centre operators in the UK and Ireland can apply for an assessment of their energy infrastructure through the programme. Socomec’s engineers will carry out site inspections covering IT and non-IT loads, including UPS systems, server racks, cooling equipment, lighting, and switchgear. The aim is to determine PUE and identify gaps in existing metering capabilities. Participating facilities receive a report outlining energy efficiency measures, estimated cost savings, and potential return on investment. The findings are intended to support decision-making across sustainability, finance, and engineering teams. The audits are particularly relevant for older colocation data centres seeking to measure PUE at rack level using Measuring Instrument Directive-compliant metering. More detailed measurement can also allow operators to allocate energy costs more accurately between tenants. Colin Dean, Managing Director of Socomec, says, “The EU EED represents a gold standard for sustainable energy management and it’s only a matter of time before other countries follow Germany’s example and start penalising non-compliance. "In addition, there is a fear - particularly among legacy data centre operators - that a rip-and-replace approach is needed to achieve modern energy efficiency. At Socomec, our aim is to plug this gap with proactive and practical guidance, showing that metering can be retrofitted to improve efficiency without infrastructure overhaul or operational downtime. “Our energy audit is designed to help operators of mission-critical data centres take informed action towards sustainability while maximising their investments. With clear, accurate insights into PUE, data centres can turn energy data into action, optimise operational costs, and drive long-term resilience.”

Reshaping data infrastructure to help carriers digitally transform

At MWC Barcelona 2026, Yuan Yuan, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, shared Chinese multinational technology company Huawei's key insights and innovations for enabling carriers to plan their data infrastructure, address challenges in AI adoption, and prepare for IT architecture transformation in the AI era. Data preparation for AI: From dormancy to awakening In the age of AI, data is an essential asset. Yuan noted that in the past two years, over 90% of enterprises actively embraced AI for business innovation, but fewer than 10% have successfully mastered and scaled AI technology. There are three primary challenges: persistent data silos that hinder data collaboration across regions and organisations; a lack of quality data supply, especially industry-specific knowledge; and inefficiencies in the data preparation phases like data collection, cleansing, and labelling. This results in AI applications falling short of commercial viability, raising doubts about the return on investment. Yuan predicts, "In the future, cold data will become a thing of the past. Data will shift from 'offline' to 'always online,' and retention policies will move from being compliance-driven to a principle of retaining and never deleting. Consequently, data volumes will expand from petabytes to exabytes, which will drive demand for greener, more efficient data infrastructure." Architectural transformation: From storing data to storing knowledge and memory As AI agents become the primary consumers of data, data infrastructure must evolve to embrace new data paradigms, including vector, graph, and key-value (KV) semantics. To eliminate AI hallucinations and enable continual AI evolution, data infrastructure must be capable of storing knowledge and memory. Yuan discussed Huawei's AI data platform, an innovative solution that integrates knowledge, memory, and inference acceleration services into a single storage system. This consolidated approach significantly reduces system complexity and O&M costs. The platform delivers a massive upgrade in performance. Inference efficiency (measured in tokens generated per second) is multiplied, while latency (time to first token) is reduced by 90%. Furthermore, the continual evolution of data, knowledge, and memory makes AI agents smarter over time. As Yuan explains, "In the future, every carrier will need its own AI data platform to help agents understand business processes, acquire domain-specific expertise, and iterate and upgrade rapidly. Otherwise, AI will remain nothing more than an expensive toy." AI adoption planning: From AI exploration to AI-driven service upgrades Although many carriers have made AI a strategic priority and are beginning to adopt it, significant challenges remain in real-world deployment: inference failure, inference costs, and inference speed. Yuan presented an intelligent computing service platform, jointly developed with a Chinese carrier, that tackles these challenges. The platform uses the KV cache technology to improve storage resource utilisation and supports inference applications of different large models like DeepSeek and Qwen. It optimises cost-effectiveness by innovatively eliminating repeated computing via querying. Through the collaboration of on-chip memory, DRAM, and AI storage, the platform enables PB-scale KV cache storage. This improves the overall throughput by more than 10 times, reduces inference costs by about 50%, and shortens response time to less than one second. In addition, algorithm optimisation addresses challenges like low KV cache hit ratios and inference failure due to long-sequence inputs in research report analysis. Serving as the foundation for AI, the platform has been deployed at scale at the group to enable multidimensional innovation across services, including internal IT systems, B2C services, B2B services, and B2H services. Yuan says, "Planning AI training and inference platforms requires more than focusing on computing power and models; deep collaboration between storage and compute is also essential to improve system-level efficiency and user experience." Yuan highlighted that AI is reshaping data infrastructure. In the AI era, storage systems will evolve into intelligent engines, which will not only store critical data assets, but also serve as the knowledge sources and memory carriers for the continuous evolution of AI agents. He called on carriers to prioritise accumulation and protection of quality data, and to plan and build a unified AI data platform that supports a wide range of large model applications while enabling service innovation for both internal operations and external offerings. Huawei says it will continue to advance technological innovation and architectural upgrades to help carriers digitally transform. For more from Huawei, click here.

Crestchic unveils 600kW liquid-cooled loadbank

Crestchic, a UK manufacturer of loadbanks and transformers for testing power systems and data centres, has launched its new 600kW Liquid Cooled Loadbank at Data Centre World London 2026, aimed at supporting commissioning in the growing liquid-cooled data centre market. As rack power densities increase, operators are increasingly adopting liquid cooling to manage higher thermal loads. Crestchic says the new system has been designed to provide accurate thermal validation and precision electrical testing for liquid-cooled infrastructure. The 600kW loadbank delivers up to 648kW at 415V and features stable ΔT thermal control to ±0.5°C, enabling repeatable testing during commissioning. Temperature accuracy is maintained regardless of flow variation, while built-in protections cover flow, pressure, overload, underload, and thermal shock. Designed for liquid-cooled data centre commissioning The unit uses a single-vessel architecture, reducing footprint compared with multi-vessel systems at similar power levels. This compact design makes it easier to position in plant rooms and simplifies transport and handling. The platform includes a stackable structure, flush-mounted connections, heavy-duty castors, and dual-side forklift pockets, allowing two units to be transported within a standard-height ISO shipping container. The system integrates with Crestchic’s VCS software, providing live monitoring of supply and hydraulic data, real-time load profiling, and the ability to cluster up to 240 load banks for hybrid air- and liquid-cooled testing. Paul Brickman, Commercial Director at Crestchic, says, “The move towards liquid cooling is accelerating as rack densities increase, particularly with AI and high-performance computing workloads. “Our new 600kW Liquid Cooled Loadbank has been designed from the ground up to serve this market, giving commissioning engineers the precision, reliability, and control they need to bring critical infrastructure online with confidence." The 600kW Liquid Cooled Loadbank is available for sale or rental through Crestchic’s global network. For more from Crestchic, click here.

STL, Mynet deliver fibre in mountainous Italy

STL, an optical and digital systems company, has worked with Mynet to deliver optical fibre infrastructure for the Intacture data centre in Trentino, Italy, located in a mountainous area described as the ‘heart of the mountain’. The project was led by the University of Trento as implementing body and scientific lead. It involves total funding of €50.2 million (£43.7 million), including €18.4 million (£16 million) from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Mynet, a telecommunications company focused on fibre optic networks across Northern Italy, is the first provider to activate fibre connectivity at the facility. The deployment required high-capacity fibre to be installed within a tight timeframe and in a geographically complex environment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KpsqOIWu2E Fibre deployment completed within two months STL supplied high fibre-count cable with a compact diameter, designed for installation in 10/12mm duct systems. The cable is engineered to support long-distance blowing, faster end preparation, and simplified on-site handling, while meeting performance, durability, and scalability requirements. The connectivity infrastructure assigned to Mynet was completed in under two months. According to the companies, this resulted in around a 50% reduction in deployment time, an expected network lifetime of more than 15 years, and improved stability during peak load. Giovanni Zorzoni, General Manager of Mynet, says, “We accepted a challenge to bring high-performance connectivity to this extraordinary infrastructure in less than sixty days. "With STL’s advanced optical fibre solutions, we were able to focus on the design and execution without compromising on reliability or performance. The quality, robustness, and ease of deployment of STL’s optical fibre solutions enabled us to complete the project at record speed, even in a uniquely demanding environment.” Rahul Puri, CEO, ONB, STL, adds, “This collaboration underscores STL's expertise in delivering mission-critical digital infrastructure for data centres. "By providing scalable, future-ready solutions like multi-core and low-latency fibre, we are helping our customers build resilient networks structurally prepared for an AI-driven future.” For more from STL, click here.

McLaren appointed for 70MW London data centre phase

UK construction firm McLaren Construction has been appointed to deliver the shell and core of the first 70MW building at global data centre developer and operator Ada Infrastructure’s Docklands campus in London. The project marks Ada Infrastructure’s first European development and forms part of a planned 210MW campus in the Royal Docks. McLaren’s contract also covers enabling infrastructure for the wider site and provision for a future district heating network. The development will comprise three 70MW data centre buildings, alongside a community facility and public realm improvements, including upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes along the River Thames and works to the river wall, including a new flood defence barrier. The buildings will incorporate air and liquid cooling systems designed to operate without water evaporation, as well as low-carbon construction materials and connection points for district heating. The campus is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating and is designed to support AI and high density workloads. A 210MW campus in London's Royal Docks James Moloney, Head of Ada Infrastructure EMEA, says, “The appointment of McLaren Construction is an important step in bringing this vision to life. "[Its] experience delivering complex data centre and infrastructure projects will be instrumental as we transform this long-vacant site into a sustainable, future-focused campus that also enhances public spaces and contributes to the wider regeneration of the Royal Docks.” McLaren’s supply chain partners include Keltbray for CFA piling, Menard for BMC piling, Gallagher for groundworks and civils, and William Hare for the steel frame. The shell and core contract is scheduled for completion in mid-2028, with the first building expected to be ready for occupation by the end of 2028.

Norton advises on €210m data centre financing for Berlin

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised British multinational bank Standard Chartered and French international banking group Crédit Agricole on a €210 million (£183 million) development facility for Virtus Data Centres, a UK data centre owner-operator providing colocation services across the region. The facility will finance the development of a 19,000m² data centre campus in Marienpark, Berlin. Once fully operational, the campus will deliver 57.6MW of IT capacity to meet the needs of hyperscale, government, and enterprise customers. Investment in Germany's infrastructure market The multi-disciplinary Norton Rose Fulbright team was led by London-based partners Jennie Dorsaint and Jonathan Crookes, and included partners Veit Sahlfeld (Hamburg), Holger Wolf (Frankfurt), Simon Weppner (Düsseldorf), Head of Real Estate Finance EMEA Sarah Cullen (London), counsels Michael-Alexander Volks (Hamburg) and Tobias Block (Hamburg), Senior Associate Anne-Sophie Wilhelmy (Frankfurt), and associates Symone Malcolm (London) and Jakob Kramer (Hamburg). Jonathan Crookes comments, “This financing is a landmark transaction, representing a significant investment in Germany’s rapidly growing digital infrastructure market. The deal showcases not only the breadth of our cross-border network but also the depth of our capability in the sector.”

Echelon secures €1.7bn loan financing for European expansion

Echelon Data Centres, an Irish-headquartered developer and operator of large-scale data centre infrastructure, has announced the successful closing of an initial €1.7 billion (£1.4 billion) in loan financing provided by investment bank and financial services company Morgan Stanley. The data centre operator says the financing "further strengthens [its] capital base to continue its planned expansion across Europe." Echelon now has eight campuses across Europe, totalling 1.2 GW of capacity, of which 400MW is operational or under development. The company notes that this "new multi-billion-euro financing facility enhances [its] ability to scale [its] development pipeline, invest in enabling power infrastructure, and grow [its] campus portfolio across Ireland, the UK, Spain, and Italy." David Smith, Deputy CEO of Echelon Data Centres, comments, “Ireland is one of Europe’s most important and supply-constrained data centre markets, and we have established the leading position in the Irish market through the delivery of large-scale campus developments supported by innovative power solutions developed in partnership with customers, regulators, and grid stakeholders. “Over the past 15 months, we have expanded into Spain - in joint venture with Europe’s largest utility, Iberdrola - and into Italy, extending our development model into new strategic markets. “We are incredibly proud of the growth Echelon has achieved over the past several years and [we are] excited for the opportunity ahead. "Demand for digital infrastructure across Europe is substantial and long term, and our ambition is to continue expanding our platform to support the growth of our customers in key strategic markets.” Continuing growth Charlie Etheridge, Head of Investments at Echelon Data Centres, adds, “This €1.7 billion financing strengthens our capital position and provides the flexibility to execute on our pipeline at scale and at pace. “It reflects the quality of our platform and the strong institutional support behind our strategy. We are pleased to continue our valued partnership with Morgan Stanley as we advance the next phase of our European expansion.” Echelon was advised by A&O Shearman and Arthur Cox. For more from Echelon, click here.

atNorth confirms 'mega' 300MW data centre in Sweden

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, has confirmed plans to develop a 300MW data centre in Sollefteå Municipality, Sweden. Located at Hamre Industrial Park in Långsele, the new site will be developed on a 50-hectare (202km²) plot (Hamre 1) and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2028. The industrial park is fully zoned for development, which the company says supports a shorter construction timeline as demand grows for AI and high-performance computing infrastructure. Renewable energy and heat reuse The site was selected for its grid capacity and access to renewable energy. The campus will follow atNorth’s modular design approach and is intended to support both colocation and built-to-suit deployments. The company states it will pursue heat reuse partnerships so that excess heat from the facility can be redirected for local use. Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO at atNorth, says, “We face a critical point in time right now, where we must balance unprecedented growth in high-density workloads with an increasingly urgent need for sustainable, scalable digital infrastructure. "Our Sollefteå campus represents a significant milestone for the company and demonstrates our commitment to building data centre ecosystems that deliver both technical excellence and long-term value for local communities.” The announcement follows recent expansion projects in Iceland and Stockholm. For more from atNorth, click here.