Data Centre Build News & Insights

The blueprint for tomorrow’s sustainable data centres

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

AirTrunk opens hyperscale data centre campus in Melbourne

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

Yondr completes RFS milestone at Northern Virginia campus

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has completed the first ready-for-service (RFS) milestone for the second building at its 96MW hyperscale data centre campus in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, USA. The milestone marks the delivery of the first 12MW of capacity within a 48MW facility, which forms part of Yondr’s wider Northern Virginia development. The second building is scheduled to become fully operational in 2026. Developed in partnership with JK Land Holdings, the project supports Yondr’s strategy to deliver additional cloud and digital infrastructure capacity as global data demand continues to rise, driven in part by the growing adoption of artificial intelligence workloads. Yondr completed the first 48MW data centre at the Northern Virginia campus in 2024. The company also has a further 240MW of capacity planned on an adjacent parcel of land, which would bring the total campus capacity to 336MW. Northern Virginia remains one of the world’s most established data centre markets, accounting for close to 60% of the primary data centre inventory in the United States and hosting more than 30 million square feet of operational data centre space. Continued expansion across North America Yondr says the Loudoun County development reflects its broader growth strategy across North America. In addition to Northern Virginia, the company currently has a 27MW project under development in Toronto and has secured a 163-acre site in Lancaster, south of Dallas, where it plans to develop a 550MW hyperscale campus. Todd Sauer, VP Design & Construction Americas at Yondr Group, says, “This RFS milestone is the latest in a series of achievements across our North American data centre portfolio and continues the strong progress we’re making in the important Northern Virginia market.” John Madden, Chief Data Centre Officer at Yondr Group, adds, “As demand for capacity continues to increase, we are stepping up our investment in North America, a high-growth, dynamic market full of opportunities. "We look forward to expanding in the region and continuing to deliver scalable, reliable infrastructure that meets our customers’ evolving requirements.” For more from Yondr Group, click here.

Datacenter United gains SBTi emissions validation

Datacenter United, an independent Belgian data centre operator, has confirmed that its near-term emissions reduction targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global partnership that helps companies set emissions reduction targets aligned with climate science. The approval aligns the company’s targets with the 1.5°C pathway, the most stringent scenario within the SBTi framework. The company says its investment programme will continue to prioritise energy efficiency, cooling approaches suited to higher density environments, responsible water use, and infrastructure designed to support AI workloads. Friso Haringsma, CEO of Datacenter United, says, “The SBTi validation confirms that our sustainability strategy is not only ambitious, but also substantively sound. "We are convinced that digital progress and sustainable growth can reinforce each other. This recognition motivates us to continue on this path consistently.” Sustainability commitments and investment programme The SBTi validation forms part of a wider sustainability framework in place at Datacenter United. The company holds ISO 14001 certification and is a signatory to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact. It also works with external organisations including EcoVadis, Greenly, and The Green Grid. Datacenter United has linked the validation to its ongoing €120 million (£105 million) investment programme, which is focused on efficiency improvements, reduced energy consumption, water management, and infrastructure designed for future demand. The company says the milestone supports its longer-term approach to operating data centres in Belgium with an emphasis on reliability, scalability, and environmental performance. For more from Datacenter United, click here.

AirTrunk expands Japan's hyperscale data centre capacity

Australian hyperscale data centre operator AirTrunk has announced plans to develop a second hyperscale data centre in Osaka, expanding its platform in Japan and increasing total national capacity to around 530 MW. The new facility, OSK2, will be located in East Osaka and is planned to deliver up to 100 MW of IT capacity. It will complement AirTrunk’s existing OSK1 site in West Osaka, which provides 20 MW, adding regional diversity across the Kansai area. The development forms part of a wider investment programme of approximately $8 billion (£5.9 billion; ¥1.2 trillion) across AirTrunk’s existing and planned projects. With OSK2, AirTrunk’s Japanese portfolio becomes part of a broader hyperscale platform spanning Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The company states that the new site is intended to support increasing demand linked to cloud adoption and AI workloads. Investment in Osaka and national growth OSK2 will be AirTrunk’s 14th data centre across six markets, contributing to a wider platform with more than two gigawatts of capacity from operational sites with secured power. Since entering Japan, AirTrunk has invested around $1.57 billion (£1.1 billion; ¥244 billion) to support construction activity, operational roles, and local supply chains. Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, says, “Japan plays a pivotal role in AirTrunk’s platform growth across Asia-Pacific. As Japan’s cloud and AI adoption accelerates, our continued investment in Osaka and Tokyo reflects our long-term commitment to building the scalable infrastructure that underpins this transformation. "Japan is not only a key market for us, but a partner in shaping the future of hyperscale and AI innovation. AirTrunk’s Japan investment is one of the largest investments by an Australian company and brings Australia closer to Japan.” The company recently opened a new Japan headquarters in Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, expanding office space to accommodate team growth. AirTrunk currently employs more than 100 staff in Japan and says it plans to increase headcount to support ongoing development. Nori Matsushita, AirTrunk Country Head, Japan, adds, “OSK2 represents a significant milestone in our commitment to Japan. By expanding in Osaka, we’re not only meeting the growing demand for hyperscale and AI infrastructure, but also creating new opportunities for local talent, suppliers, and communities. "This investment strengthens Japan’s position as a digital leader in Asia-Pacific and ensures our customers have the resilient, scalable capacity they need to innovate.” Japan’s national digital initiatives, including Society 5.0 and the Priority Plan for Digital Society, place cloud and AI infrastructure at the centre of economic and social development. AirTrunk says its expansion is aligned with these programmes by increasing available hyperscale capacity within the country. Yamada Kenji, Member of the House of Representatives and State Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, notes, “Japan is committed to building a robust digital foundation that accelerates innovation and strengthens our global competitiveness. "Continued investments like AirTrunk’s new Osaka hyperscale data centre are vital to supporting our national priorities, including Society 5.0 and the responsible adoption of AI. "By partnering with leading technology companies, we are ensuring that Japan remains at the forefront of sustainable digital infrastructure and economic growth.” For more from AirTrunk, click here.

Nostrum details availability of new data centres in Spain

Nostrum Data Centers, a developer of sustainable data centre infrastructure across Spain and Europe, has confirmed that its data centre assets in Spain are scheduled to become available in 2027, as the company develops new capacity to support AI, cloud, and high-performance computing workloads. The company, part of Nostrum Group, is planning up to 500 MW of IT capacity across multiple sites in Spain. According to Nostrum, around 300 MW of power capacity has already been secured, with further phases intended to increase this figure over time. Earlier this month, Nostrum announced that AECOM had been appointed to design and manage a large data centre campus in Badajoz. The project represents one of several developments underway, with the Badajoz site forming part of a wider national rollout. Capacity rollout and site strategy Nostrum is developing six data centre sites across Spain, selected to take advantage of subsea connectivity routes, available power infrastructure, and energy costs. The company says this approach is intended to support phased deployment and future expansion as demand grows. The facilities are designed to support higher density computing, with Nostrum stating a target PUE of 1.1 and zero water usage for cooling. The company adds that its developments are intended to reduce carbon emissions associated with data centre operations and align with broader sustainability objectives. Gabriel Nebreda, Chief Executive Officer at Nostrum Group, comments, “Our Spain-based data centres combine strategic site selection, secured power connections, and AI-ready infrastructure to meet the demands of the next-generation digital economy. "Our team of industry leaders with over 25 years of experience are developing facilities that are not only highly efficient and scalable but also fully sustainable, supporting both our customers’ growth and global climate goals.” Nostrum says the 2027 availability date reflects its broader development programme, which is focused on delivering new data centre capacity with secured land and power across Spain. For more from Nostrum Data Centers, click here.

Vertiv, GreenScale to deploy DC platforms across Europe

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, and GreenScale, a developer of hyperscale data centre campuses, have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver factory-integrated data centre platforms engineered for next-generation AI workloads in Europe. Following a competitive pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process, GreenScale selected Vertiv as its preferred provider for standardised, prefabricated Vertiv OneCore hybrid-built data centres. While GreenScale will manage slab-down construction and site-wide infrastructure, Vertiv will provide AI-ready data centre modules engineered to support liquid-cooled deployments of NVIDIA Grace Blackwell GB200/300 graphic processing units (GPUs), including next-generation Vera Rubin GPUs. Vedran Brzic, VP Infrastructure Solutions Business EMEA at Vertiv, says, “AI workloads demand density and speed. By integrating the Vertiv OneCore platform into GreenScale’s standard design, we can help to accelerate deployment of scalable infrastructure for AI, high-performance (HPC), and high-density computing. "Our scalable prefabricated solution integrates our proven power, thermal, and IT infrastructure into a single factory-assembled system that can help customers deploy high-density capacity more efficiently while increasing reliability and performance.” Vertiv's OneCore platform The Vertiv OneCore platform supports up to 200+ kW per rack and features coolant distribution units (CDUs) with a dual-loop liquid cooling system. The platform is supported by Vertiv SmartRun overhead prefabricated infrastructure, which includes an integrated secondary fluid network (SFN) for liquid-cooled thermal management - optimised for GPU-intensive architectures - and power distribution. Modules arrive factory-built and pre-tested, with GreenScale providing comprehensive site services including grid integration, permitting, battery monitoring system (BMS)/security systems, and slab-down construction. Dan Thomas, CEO at GreenScale, comments, “Our collaboration with Vertiv aligns perfectly with GreenScale’s mission to rapidly deploy high efficiency, AI-ready infrastructure across Europe. By standardising on Vertiv’s prefabricated platforms, we gain significant advantages in speed-to-market, quality control, and operational efficiency. "Their proven experience in high-density cooling solutions and factory-integrated approach helps us minimise on-site complexity while enabling our facilities to be optimised for the most demanding AI workloads. This standardised platform approach will be instrumental in executing our ambitious expansion plans across Northern Ireland and the Nordics.” GreenScale plans to expand with approximately 120 MW in Northern Ireland and over 300 MW across the Nordics, with a long-term vision to deploy close to 1 GW across Europe. The company says it aims to implement a high-performance compute model that aligns its objectives and timelines with "technology providers who can efficiently deliver scalable, AI-ready solutions." For more from Vertiv, click here.

InfraRed invests in Spanish data centre platform

InfraRed Capital Partners, an international mid-market infrastructure asset manager, has made a majority investment in NxN Data Centers, a Spain-based data centre platform focused on meeting growing demand for computing and data storage services. NxN was formed in 2023 as a joint venture between Nethits Telecom Group and asset manager Adequita Capital. The platform is aimed primarily at regional enterprise customers and is developing facilities to support increasing requirements linked to digitalisation and AI-driven workloads. InfraRed will invest alongside minority shareholder Adequita to support the development of NxN’s first site, a 5 MW data centre in Valencia, as well as potential expansion across the Iberian Peninsula. Construction at the Valencia site has already started, with the facility scheduled to open in 2027. Once operational, it will provide colocation infrastructure designed to support high-density and AI-ready computing. Expansion plans in an underserved market Spain is attracting increased interest from data centre investors due to strong enterprise demand, data sovereignty considerations, and access to renewable energy. Despite this, the market remains relatively under-supplied compared with other European regions. Pilar Banegas, Partner at InfraRed, comments, “NxN represents an opportunity to establish a data centre platform within Spain’s expanding digital landscape. "We are pleased to be working with Adequita, whose experience and relationships across Spain will support the company’s development. We will also draw on our experience developing nexspace, our DACH data centre business, as we support the NxN management team.” NxN’s leadership team brings experience across telecommunications, data centre operations, and enterprise services. The company says this background positions it to deliver its planned growth strategy in Spain. Javier Salas, founder and Executive Chairman of Nethits and NxN Data Centers, says, “We are delighted to partner with InfraRed to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient data centres in Spain. "By leveraging InfraRed’s experience in growing data centre businesses, we are well positioned to execute our vision for NxN.” Josep Adsera, Principal at Adequita, adds, “We welcome InfraRed as the majority investor in NxN. Their investment reinforces the platform and enables it to move into its next phase of development. We look forward to continuing our collaboration.”

Pure DC signs Europe’s largest hyperscale DC lease for 2025

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale cloud and AI data centres, today announced it has signed 2025’s largest standalone hyperscale data centre lease in Europe. A hyperscale customer is leasing the entire 78MW campus, situated in Westpoort, Amsterdam, with Pure DC investing over €1 billion (£877 million) to develop the site. As part of the lease deal, Pure DC has purchased a site and secured planning permissions and 100MVA of power via a private substation. The land was purchased on a long leasehold from the Port of Amsterdam. Securing the site, combined with permitting approvals, power, and supply constraints within Amsterdam, reportedly required complex negotiations and creative partnership over many months to secure the deal. Regional growth and energy resilience The company believes this infrastructure investment is set to play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s digital growth and energy resilience. As well as the Euro investment by Pure DC, the development will provide over 1,000 jobs and support more roles through the extended supply chain. This hopes to drive demand for skilled positions, utilising local companies wherever possible. Once complete, the data centre will provide approximately 80 permanent skilled jobs including engineers, maintenance, security, and administrative staff. Designated AMS01, Pure DC’s data centre campus will comprise of three 85-metre towers, powered by a private substation with a firm connection into the 50kV grid. Each of the three towers will house 26MW of data halls, designed to support high density compute with high efficiency cooling and to achieve the Netherlands energy efficiency target PUE of 1.2. The private substation is already constructed and live, with development of the data halls expected to begin in January 2026. Dame Dawn Childs, CEO of Pure Data Centres, says, “Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most constrained markets for digital infrastructure and Pure DC has again demonstrated its ability to unlock new, low-latency, high-quality capacity. "This deal demonstrates how our specialist teams have the creativity and approach to deliver compelling proposals for even previously distressed assets - delivering solutions for local authorities, potential customers, and our supply chain.” Pure DC says it is committed to working with local communities near current and future operational locations, noting that, in Amsterdam, it aims to replicate programs running in its other projects - including working with local schools and universities to provide training, career guidance, and outreach programs; supporting local charitable organisations; and working with community partners on environmental conservation projects. For more from Pure DC, click here.

Funding for community projects from Kao SEED Fund

Harlow-based community groups are celebrating new funding awards from the Kao SEED Fund Harlow, sharing a total of £30,000 to power community initiatives that aim to create positive social and environmental change. Run by advanced data centre operator Kao Data, the second Kao SEED Fund (Social Enterprise and Environment Development Fund) was launched in September as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the town where it operates its AI data centre campus. Developed in partnership with Harlow Council, the fund offered grants of between £500 and £2,500 to local community groups and not-for-profit organisations to help launch new programmes or create new pilot initiatives. The wide-ranging projects includes funding to support a fully sustainable theatre production of Alice in Wonderland, a women-only boxing programme, free tuition for disadvantaged pupils, and a forest garden for a Scout group. Funding local communities Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, comments, “In Harlow, we are building a community where innovation, opportunity, and local pride go hand in hand. "The Kao SEED Fund is a fantastic example of how business and local government can work together to invest in the people and projects that make a real difference. "The Harlow SEED Fund will help community groups across our town to roll out new projects or fund existing work in order to reach more residents and continue to make Harlow a great place to live.” Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data, adds, “We have been so impressed with the creativity and dedication behind the community projects across Harlow. "It was incredibly difficult to narrow down the applications, but we’re thrilled to support a further 20 inspiring groups, through our Kao SEED Fund initiative, that make such a tangible difference, from environmental programmes [and] arts initiatives through to youth and wellbeing projects.” The Kao SEED Fund was launched for the first time in Harlow in September in order to recognise and invest in community-led projects that make the town a better place to live and work. The 20 funded Harlow projects are: Butterfly Effect Wellbeing, Changing Lives Football, Epping and Harlow Community Transport, Harlow Arts Trust, Harlow Band Stand, Harlow Hospital Radio, Matipo Arts, Norman Booth Recreation Centre, Open Road Vision, PATACC, Plant pots and Wellies, Potter Street Health & Wellbeing Hub, Razed Roof, Rise Community, Roots to Wellbeing, The Frequency Machine, The Parent Hood of Harlow, The Scouts, The Victoria Hall Performing Arts Association, and Yellow Brick Road. For more from Kao Data, click here.