Data Centre Build News & Insights

Sitehop, Red Helix testing quantum-ready encryption

Sitehop, a UK startup focused on quantum encryption, has announced its partnership with Red Helix, a network and security testing company, to bring advanced testing in-house and to "supercharge" the critical speed-testing of its encrypted data transmission, utilising a Teledyne LeCroy Xena system. With support from a five-figure 'productivity grant' from South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority, Sitehop has invested in a Teledyne LeCroy Xena Loki 100G traffic-generation and testing platform, which enables bi-directional testing of sub-microsecond latency in 100Gbps networks. Bringing testing in-house has also reportedly eliminated delays and risks in export and customs, which included a minimum two-week turnaround at more than £18,000 per testing cycle. Previously, Sitehop relied on an outsourced facility in France, but the new UK-based set up enables them to complete testing in a single day, freeing the time of Sitehop’s engineering teams and boosting their productivity. Sitehop uses the Xena Loki device to test and validate its Sitehop SAFEcore platform, capable of 835 nanoseconds latency at 100Gbps encryption. The platform can support 4,000 concurrent connections, deploying "crypto-agile" encryption for use in sectors such as telecoms, financial services, government, and critical national infrastructure. Testing with the Xena Loki device covers peak load conditions, burst traffic, error injection and fault recovery, and end-to-end encrypted traffic flows. Multi-stream stress tests, mixed protocol environments, and real-time encrypted traffic benchmarking are part of the processes. According to the company, the "speed and accuracy" of the Xena Loki platform enables Sitehop to validate latency, throughput, packet-loss, and error-handling across different profiles. This is important to prove the Sitehop SAFEcore platform has the necessary performance and resilience in high-bandwidth, low-latency environments and is ready for new use cases such as 5G backhaul, wearable security technology, and the evolution of post-quantum cryptography. “Testing in this way is a strategic enabler for us, accelerating product release cycles and reducing the risk of field failure while providing clients with higher levels of confidence during procurement,” says Melissa Chambers, co-founder and CEO of Sitehop. “This is a major selling-point for enterprise and critical infrastructure environments.” “We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of the next generation of British tech manufacturing and believe we are part of a resurgence of innovation in the UK. We are proving that deep tech, hardware innovation, and cyber resilience can thrive here. "As we expand globally and target high-assurance sectors, our ability to validate performance independently and rapidly becomes a cornerstone of our growth model. The grant we received has been hugely important, enabling us to bring a critical capability in-house that has accelerated our growth momentum.” Baseline validation using the Xena Loki device is in line with the benchmarks RFC 2544 and Y.1564. In practice, however, the Sitehop SAFEcore system - the company claims - "frequently outperforms the scope of traditional methodologies, requiring custom profiles including simulated threat-scenarios, multi-session encrypted traffic under dynamic key exchange, and adaptive stream-shaping." Liam Jackson, Director of Technology Solutions at Red Helix, comments, “We are thrilled to work with Sitehop, an exciting start-up company demonstrating that hardware-based security innovation is alive and well in the UK. "Testing quantum-ready security platforms requires precise accuracy, reliability, and sustained high-speed throughput, which software-only traffic-generation tools can struggle to deliver. "Sitehop understands this, and by harnessing the hardware-based Teledyne LeCroy Xena Loki platform, it hugely accelerates essential testing, gaining the speed, precision, and confidence to bring its cutting-edge solutions to market faster without impacting quality.”

'AI boom triggers 160% data centre power surge'

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries from healthcare to finance, but it comes with a massive energy footprint. Data centres, the backbone of AI, consume huge amounts of power, pushing companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft to find sustainable solutions. The complexity and scale of AI models, particularly training large neural networks, require extraordinary computational power, resulting in substantial carbon emissions. For example, maintaining optimal cooling in data centres alone adds significant energy overhead. This demand is further driven by AI technologies like autonomous vehicles and predictive analytics, which require continuous data processing. The increased energy use means more burning of coal, oil, and natural gas, which leads to higher emissions. With renewable energy not scaling fast enough, fossil fuels are still the main power source for many data centres. This reliance is especially concerning given projections that power demand in data centres will increase by 160% by 2030, with AI’s energy needs growing rapidly. Recent headlines show the scale of the challenge: Meta’s landmark 20-year deal to source nuclear power for its Illinois data centres underlines just how critical nuclear energy has become in meeting AI’s soaring electricity demand. Meanwhile, Google’s agreements to power its data centres with small nuclear reactors and Microsoft’s plans to restart the Three Mile Island plant further highlight how these tech giants are betting big on nuclear to keep AI running without ramping up carbon emissions. AI boom threatens net zero goals Data centres, the backbone of AI-powered systems, are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the world. According to the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), operators must now demonstrate continual energy improvements. This directive aligns with broader regulations like the European Climate Law, which enforces the EU’s target of climate neutrality by 2050. In the UK, schemes like ESOS Phase 3 place additional energy reporting and efficiency requirements on operators. In Europe, three of the largest economies - the UK, Germany, and France - are at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise their economies and transition to net zero. However, the data centres operating within these countries are facing significant challenges in meeting their decarbonisation and sustainability targets. Recent findings from a CFP Energy survey highlight that while the majority of data centres in these countries have a net-zero strategy in place, achieving their targets remains elusive. Net zero strategy adoption • UK: 94% have a net zero strategy, but 22% are not meeting their decarbonisation and sustainability targets.• Germany: 90% have a net zero strategy, but 30% are falling short of their targets.• France: 86% have a net zero strategy, with 14% not hitting their targets. These statistics underscore a critical reality: despite ambitious targets and high adoption rates of net zero strategies, achieving actual decarbonisation is proving to be a major hurdle. This trend is particularly concerning as AI demand is poised to increase significantly. If the cost equation remains imbalanced, we may soon face a situation where net zero targets are discarded in favour of meeting the demands of AI, as is already happening in various parts of the world. The growing reliance on carbon offsetting With the rapid increase in energy demand from AI, many large tech companies, including Microsoft, are turning to carbon credits and voluntary carbon projects as a means to mitigate their environmental impact. This has become crucial for companies that simply cannot reduce their energy consumption with current technologies. For instance, Microsoft recently entered into an agreement with Re-Green, committing to offset its emissions through carbon credit purchases and climate-positive projects. While these measures help compensate for carbon emissions, they highlight a gap in current energy solutions: the technology and power infrastructure are not yet capable of fully supporting the sustainable growth of AI. Mitigating the environmental footprint of AI and data centres CFP Energy, a UK-based provider of energy trading, risk management, and environmental services, says it advocates for: • Sustainable construction — Reducing environmental impact from the outset by using low-embodied-carbon materials in data centre design, which helps cut emissions during both construction and operation. • Advanced cooling systems — Improving energy efficiency through approaches like liquid cooling, which reduce electricity usage while maintaining optimal performance in increasingly power-intensive environments. • Voluntary carbon offsetting — Compensating for unavoidable emissions with verified carbon credits. However, recent disputes - such as the suspension of a Kenyan soil-carbon project involving Netflix and Meta - reveal serious concerns about transparency, community impact, and oversight. These events highlight the need for stronger governance and ethical standards across the voluntary carbon market. • Collaboration — Developing joint solutions with governments, utilities, and technology partners - including renewable energy agreements and efficient hardware - to drive systemic progress and ensure sustainable AI infrastructure at scale. A legislative push towards sustainability The policy environment is rapidly evolving, with regulations like the Digital Operations Resilience Act and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive mandating transparency on emissions and energy efficiency. Operators who fail to adapt risk falling behind, both in compliance and customer retention. Businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability, and carbon-conscious customers are gravitating towards providers with robust strategies for renewable energy adoption and operational efficiency. George Brown, Sustainability Researcher for Data Centres at CFP, comments, “The climate emergency is a clear signal for change, and we need sustainable solutions now. “While AI is driving innovation and is critical to our digital future, it - and the data centres that support it - must align with the environmental imperatives of the 21st century. "Data centres need to operate in a way that supports, rather than undermines, our environmental goals. Despite widespread net zero strategies, many data centres are failing to meet their targets. “At CFP Energy, we believe collaboration is key. Tech companies, governments, and energy providers must work together. Sustainable construction, advanced cooling, and voluntary carbon offsetting are essential. "Carbon credits are a temporary solution, but long-term investments in renewables and efficiency must accelerate. "Regulations are pushing for greater transparency and efficiency, and businesses that don’t adapt risk penalties and losing eco-conscious customers. AI’s growth must align with sustainability, and CFP Energy is committed to leading the transition. "Every stakeholder - governments, businesses, and consumers - must work together to ensure a sustainable digital landscape. Each has a role to play in ensuring that our digital future is also a sustainable one.”

Aligned announces new mega-scale AI campus in Ohio

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced a significant expansion in Central Ohio with the planned development of its new data centre campus inside the Conesville Industrial Park. Aligned will develop a 197-acre parcel adjacent to the former AEP Conesville Power Plant. This development aims to revitalise the legacy brownfield site and spur commercial development, converting it into an economic epicentre for Coshocton County and the state of Ohio. "Through this strategic expansion, Aligned not only reinforces its commitment to providing future-ready digital infrastructure in vital growth markets, but also directly catalyses billions of dollars in investment for the state of Ohio and the Coshocton County community,” claims Andrew Schaap, Aligned’s CEO. "We are proud to see this investment revitalise a critical legacy site. It lays a powerful foundation, drawing new industries, creating high-quality jobs, and unlocking significant future opportunities for Southeast Ohio." Representing a multi-billion-dollar investment, this phased development is anticipated to generate thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-quality, long-term operational roles, ultimately boosting the local economy. Data centres in Ohio reportedly contribute significantly to local economies, generating substantial tax revenues that support public services and local infrastructure improvements. Aligned says it is also committed to local community engagement, including partnerships that support educational programs and environmental initiatives, intending to "ensure a positive and lasting impact in Coshocton County and the surrounding areas." Aligned’s new multi-building campus has already secured a foundational customer for its first data centre, targeting initial capacity delivery mid-2026. This is Aligned’s third data centre campus in Ohio. For more from Aligned, click here.

Xela Energy gains approval for Hursley solar project

Xela Energy (formerly Clean Energy Capital), a UK-based provider of private-wire renewable energy systems for data centres and industrial-scale power consumers, has received full planning permission for a 5MW solar farm that will supply renewable electricity directly to IBM’s Hursley campus near Winchester, England. The project is the first in the UK to connect a data centre to a dedicated solar installation via a private-wire arrangement. The solar farm will be built on agricultural land located close to the Hursley site and will provide traceable renewable energy directly to the IBM campus. By operating independently of the UK’s main electricity grid and without reliance on government subsidies, the project is intended to contribute to national decarbonisation targets, while also helping to reduce strain on grid infrastructure and improve overall energy security. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate nearly 5 million kWh of energy per year. Over its lifetime, this is estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46,000 tonnes - equivalent to planting around 60,000 trees. In addition to powering IBM’s 27,000ft² data centre, which opened in 1977, the project includes landscaping features and dedicated areas to support Biodiversity Net Gain. Xela Energy, which has a growing pipeline of private-wire schemes, describes its approach as land-led rather than consultancy-led - focusing on securing sites near large energy consumers to provide fully funded, dedicated clean energy solutions. The company develops, builds, owns, and operates each installation directly, delivering "low-cost, traceable electricity" to its clients. “This project represents a major milestone in how large power users can decarbonise with certainty, speed, and integrity,” claims Alexander Goodall, founder and CEO of Xela Energy. “It’s a blueprint for how the UK can decarbonise its most energy-intensive industries at scale. If our energy is unsustainable, so is our existence. "That’s why Xela Energy exists: to make clean, cost-effective power available directly at the point of use without waiting for policy, grid reform, or subsidies. Projects like this show we don’t have to choose between economic growth and environmental responsibility, it’s possible to have both.” The Hursley installation is set to begin construction in the coming months. It comes at a time when data centre energy demand is increasing, driven by generative AI and other high-performance computing workloads.

'Construction’s digital lag risks derailing data centre boom'

As the UK accelerates investment in AI infrastructure - committing billions to 'AI Growth Zones' and sovereign compute capacity - a new white paper from integrated collaboration platform Revizto warns that delivery of the data centres required to power the UK’s digital transformation could fall short unless building methods evolve to keep pace with demand. This risk is underscored by the rapid growth of the UK data centre market, which is expected to more than double in value by 2030, growing at over 13% annually and contributing an additional £44 billion to the economy by 2035. However, to realise this economic potential, the UK must accelerate the delivery of modern digital infrastructure to meet sustained demand for AI. Currently, the UK construction sector is struggling to keep pace – putting both infrastructure delivery and the UK’s broader economic ambitions at risk. Revizto’s recent 2025 Digital Design & Construction Report reveals that, despite significant interest in AI across the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, & Operations (AECO) industry, technology adoption remains a critical barrier, with many UK project teams still relying on static, non-integrated tools like email, Excel and PDFs to manage complex and fast-moving projects. Revizto’s research with over 2000 industry leaders found that: · 63% of UK AECO professionals are closely following developments in AI and automation.· But for 25% of leaders, tech integration is their top business challenge – ranking above rising costs, talent shortages, and regulatory requirements.· Globally, over a quarter (26%) still rely on email, spreadsheets, and PDFs as their primary digital tools. The data points to a persistent reliance on non-integrated technology, despite increasing complexity in projects and tightening timeframes. This reliance is slowing delivery and increasing risk on data centre projects that demand precision, speed, and scale. To meet explosive demand, the digital infrastructure behind AI must be delivered faster and more efficiently. But, as Revizto’s new white paper, The Infrastructure Behind Innovation, shows, delivering at scale and pace brings intense challenges. Data centre construction demands complex coordination, massive datasets, strict regulatory compliance, high-stakes communication, and tight timeframes – with some projects now moving from concept to full design in as little as ten weeks. Arman Gukasyan, Founder and CEO of Revizto, comments, “The global data centre boom brings enormous promise, but also new levels of complexity, urgency, and risk. "The construction industry can’t keep pace with demand using static tools like Excel and PDFs. If the UK is serious about leading in AI, it must fundamentally shift how it delivers the physical infrastructure required for digital transformation.” To secure the UK’s position as a leader in AI and innovation, the AECO industry must rapidly embrace new technologies and collaborative approaches. By modernising methods and accelerating digital adoption, the sector can deliver the data centre capacity needed to unlock economic growth and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the AI revolution.

MP visits Datum's new Manchester data centre

Mike Kane MP, Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, recently visited UK data centre provider Datum Datacentres’ newly constructed MCR2 data centre in Manchester. Datum’s latest data centre is the first completed construction project in the £500 million regeneration plan for Wythenshawe. Mike toured the facility, learning about its role in shaping local regeneration and its contribution to supporting businesses across Manchester. Mike, who himself has lifelong ties to the area, expressed a keen interest in the impact MCR2 looks to have on the region and was keen to understand its role in driving local regeneration and supporting businesses throughout Manchester. Alongside fostering growth among its future tenants, the construction process emphasised the employment of local contractors wherever feasible. This strategy aimed to strengthen the local economy while reflecting the project's dedication to minimising environmental impact. Mike Kane MP comments, “It’s remarkable to see a project of this scale right at the heart of the community in Wythenshawe. This facility sets a new benchmark for sustainable, cutting-edge infrastructure while creating pathways to economic growth and wider opportunities for the region.” During a tour of the facility, Mike was shown how MCR2 demonstrates environmentally sustainable design. As part of the construction process, Datum conducted a carbon impact assessment and integrated sustainability measures, including the installation of efficient free cooling systems to minimise environmental impact, and the incorporation of heat exchange technology to support local community heating initiatives. The site’s backup generators run on environmentally-friendly Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) instead of red diesel. Additionally, the site has a design PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) of 1.25. Its data halls are built to accommodate a range of clients - from SMEs to large enterprises - offering flexible power density options and IT infrastructure support. The site also includes advanced security measures, including police-linked on-site facilities. Matt Edgley, COO at Datum Datacentres, notes, “We were delighted to welcome Mike Kane MP to MCR2 and showcase the culmination of this significant construction effort. The facility symbolises our commitment to revitalising Wythenshawe while bolstering Manchester’s growth as one of the UK’s premier tech hubs.” MCR2 hopes to play a pivotal role in driving regional economic growth and attracting enterprise activity to Manchester. Its completion represents an achievement in sustainable development and also seeks to open new opportunities for businesses across diverse industries. Jon Healy, Managing Director EMEA at Salute, says, "It has been a fantastic project to be involved in and it’s great to see the positive impact it will have on the region. This state-of-the-art and sustainable data centre provides the critical infrastructure needed to support the region’s continued growth." The official launch of MCR2 took place at the end of June and the site is now welcoming visitors who would like to tour the facility. For more from Datum Datacentres, click here.

Allegro argues case for sustainable energy storage

As data centre expansion accelerates to meet the demands of AI, cryptocurrencies, and cloud services, Australia-based developer Allegro Energy is arguing for the relevance and applicability of its long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology in "enabling scalable, sustainable energy solutions tailored to the unique needs of modern data centres." With data centres operating on consistent, high-load profiles, they are uniquely positioned to benefit from a clean power strategy that combines renewable generation with long-duration energy storage. Allegro Energy’s modular, scalable, and environmentally-friendly battery systems, according to the company, "present a solution that overcomes the prohibitive cost, scalability, and sustainability challenges associated with traditional lithium-ion or vanadium-based systems." • Modularity & scalability — Allegro’s LDES systems are designed to grow in parallel with a data centre’s needs, allowing incremental investment and deployment. • Renewable compatibility — The system pairs with solar and wind energy, aiming to help data centres navigate grid volatility and peak pricing while advancing towards net zero carbon targets. • Climate-friendly storage chemistry — The water-based electrolyte technology is not resource-constrained, hoping to offer a low-impact alternative that can be deployed at scale. “The exponential growth of generative AI, cloud computing, and digital services has made energy a critical chokepoint in data infrastructure,” says Thomas Nann, CEO of Allegro Energy. “We believe the future of high-performance computing does not need to come at the cost of the planet. With our technology, data centres can be powered entirely by renewables, supported by reliable, cost-effective long-duration storage.” Allegro Energy’s proprietary, locally manufactured micro-emulsion electrolyte technology eliminates the need for scarce or rare metals, reducing fire risk and allowing for extended storage durations at a lower cost.

'Cranes key to productivity in data centre construction'

With companies and consumers increasingly reliant on cloud-based computing and services, data centre construction has moved higher up the agenda across the world. Recently re-categorised as 'Critical National Infrastructure' in the UK, the market is highly competitive and demand for new facilities is high. However, these projects are very sensitive to risk. Challenges include the highly technical nature of some of the work, which relies on a specialist supply chain, and long lead times for equipment such as servers, computer chips, and backup generators – in some cases, up to two years. Time is of the essence. Every day of delay during a construction programme can have a multimillion-pound impact in lost income, and project teams can be penalised for falling behind. However, help is at hand from an unexpected source: the cranage provider. Cutting construction time by half Marr Contracting, an Australian provider of heavy-lift luffing tower cranes and cranage services, has been working on data centres around the world for several years. Its methodology is helping data centre projects reach completion in half of the average time. “The first time that I spoke to a client about their data centre project, they told me that they were struggling with the lifting requirements,” explains Simon Marr, Managing Director at Marr Contracting. “There were lots of heavy precast components and sequencing them correctly alongside other elements of the programme was proving difficult. “It was a traditional set-up with mobile cranes sitting outside the building structure, which made the site congested and ‘confused.’ "There was a clash between the critical path works of installing the in-ground services and the construction of the main structure, as the required mobile crane locations were hindering the in-ground works and the in-ground works were hindering where the mobile cranes could be placed. This in turn resulted in an extended programme.” The team at Marr suggested a different approach: to place fewer, yet larger-capacity cranes in strategic locations so that they could service the whole site and allow the in-ground works to proceed concurrently. By adopting this philosophy, the project was completed in half the time of a typical build. Marr has partnered with the client on every development since, with the latest project completed in just 35 weeks. “It’s been transformational,” claims Simon. “The solution removes complexity and improves productivity by allowing construction to happen across multiple work fronts. This, in turn, reduces the number of cranes on the project.” Early engagement is key Simon believes early engagement is key to achieving productivity and efficiency gains on data centre projects. He says, “There is often a disconnect between the engineering and planning of a project and how cranes integrate into the project’s construction logic. "The current approach, where the end-user of the crane issues a list of requirements for a project, with no visibility on the logic behind how these cranes will align with the construction methodology, is flawed. “It creates a situation where more cranes are usually added to an already congested site to fill the gap that could have been covered by one single tower crane.” One of the main pressure points on projects that is specific to data centres is the requirements around services. “The challenge with data centres is that a lot of power and water is needed, which means lots of in-ground services,” continues Simon. “The ideal would be to build these together, but that’s not possible with a traditional cranage solution because you’re making a compromise on whether you install the in-ground services or whether you delay that work so that the mobile cranes can support the construction of the structure. Ultimately, the programme falls behind.” “We’ve seen clients try to save money by downsizing the tower crane and putting it in the centre of the server hall. But this hinders the completion of the main structure and delays the internal fit out works. “Our approach is to use cranes that can do heavier lifts but that take up a smaller area, away from the critical path and outside the building structure. The crane solution should allow the concurrent delivery of critical path works – in turn, making the crane a servant to the project, not the hero. “With more sites being developed in congested urban areas, particularly new, taller data centres with heavier components, this is going to be more of an issue in the future.” Thinking big One of the benefits of early engagement and strategically deploying heavy lift tower cranes is that it opens the door for the constructor to “think big” with their construction methodology. This appeals to the data centre market as it enables constructors to work to design for manufacturer and assembly (DfMA). By using prefabricated, pre-engineered modules, DfMA aims to allow for the rapid construction and deployment of data centre facilities. Fewer, heavier lifts should reduce risk and improve safety because more components can be assembled offsite, delivered to the site, and then placed through fewer major crane lifts instead of multiple, smaller lifts. Simon claims, “By seeking advice from cranage experts early in the bid and design development stage of a project, the project can benefit from lower project costs, improved safety, higher quality, and quicker construction."

Digital Realty adopts PPC’s energy matching programme

Digital Realty, a provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre, colocation, and interconnection systems, today announced that it has adopted PPC’s 24/7 hourly renewable energy matching programme to power its three highly-connected data centres in Athens, Greece, with clear, real-time matched clean electricity. The initiative builds on the company’s existing 24/7 energy matching programmes in France and Sweden and supports improved transparency and reporting of renewable energy use. The programme, provided by PPC, Southeast Europe’s largest electric utility group, has been designed to help large corporate customers accurately trace and report their clean energy usage. Leveraging PPC’s renewable energy assets and digital tracking tools, the programme seeks to enable businesses to verify both the source and the time of clean electricity consumption on an hourly basis. The service includes the full management of Guarantees of Origin (GOs) and uses software from Granular Energy to enable real-time tracking of renewable energy generation and associated carbon emissions. It aims to "empower customers to credibly report Scope 2 emissions and progress towards net zero targets." Digital Realty’s participation represents a sizeable deployment of hourly energy matching in the region, helping to support the development of a more resilient and decarbonised power grid. By matching renewable energy generation and consumption in real time, the programme aims to create clearer signals for investment in clean energy technologies and infrastructure. “This programme with PPC strengthens our commitment to transparent and data-driven energy sourcing,” comments Alexandros Bechrakis, Managing Director, Digital Realty in Greece. “It helps us support our customers’ renewable energy goals with credible, hourly-matched clean electricity – delivering greater visibility into how and when clean energy is being used across their digital infrastructure.” “At PPC, we are shaping the future of energy by enabling our clients to lead with credibility in a carbon-free economy,” claims Angelos Spanos, Chief Marketing & Products Officer at PPC. “Through 24/7 carbon-free energy hourly matching, we provide our corporate customers with verified, real-time insights into their renewable energy consumption. "This collaboration with Digital Realty demonstrates how forward-looking energy solutions can accelerate the clean energy transition for entire industries.” The programme, according to Digital Realty, supports the company’s science-based targets for carbon emissions reduction and aligns with its broader sustainability strategy, which includes a commitment to carbon neutrality across its data centre operations and value chain. As part of this strategy, Digital Realty already matches 100% of the electricity used across its entire European portfolio with renewable energy. For more from Digital Realty, click here.

XDS to host 10MW of AI workloads in Saudi's 'Desert Dragons'

UK & Dubai-based XDS Datacentres (XDS), a developer of liquid immersion digital infrastructure, has signed a major agreement with ICS Arabia for the construction and delivery of Riyadh & Jeddah's first 10 MW immersion-cooled data centre. This collaboration, developed within ICS Arabia's Desert Dragon technology ecosystem, aims to bring advanced computing capacity, sustainability, and scalability to support Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. Under the terms of the 15-year agreement, ICS Arabia will design, construct, and hand over two 10MW facilities to XDS by Q4 2026. The project will utilise Desert Dragon's Tier III-certified infrastructure and immersion cooling technology to support high-density workloads such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, and other GPU-intensive applications, while the facility will seek to set new benchmarks for energy-efficient, high-performance computing in the region. The signing ceremony was held on 8 July at Desert Dragon’s headquarters in Riyadh, with key executives from both organisations in attendance. Ghufran Hamid, CEO of XDS, states, "We are pleased to partner with ICS Arabia on this landmark deployment. The Kingdom represents a key growth market for XDS, and the initial 10MW facilities will showcase the potential of immersion-cooled infrastructure to deliver both performance and sustainability. XDS would like to contribute to Vision 2030 by supplying sustainable infrastructure meeting global ESG standards. "This isn't just another facility, it's the beginning of a new era. No other data centre company is providing the services XDS will provide, with the switch from air-cooled to liquid immersion. As demand for high-density AI workloads, sovereign compute, and climate-resilient digital infrastructure continues to rise, traditional air-cooled data centres are already struggling to cope. Immersion cooling isn't a niche but an inevitability." Abdullah Ayed Al Mazny, General Manager at Desert Dragon (ICS Arabia), adds, "Our partnership with XDS reflects our shared vision to deliver cutting-edge data centre capabilities in the Kingdom. Together, we are enabling sovereign digital infrastructure aligned with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030." Immersion cooling at scale Both Riyadh & Jeddah facilities will feature full immersion cooling with rack densities up to 368kW. This would make them appropriate for services such as AI, GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), cloud-native compute, and hyperscale edge deployment. The design includes redundant N+N power and cooling systems, Tier III certification (TCCF and TCDD), and high-capacity network interconnectivity. Service and SLAs Clients of XDS in Saudi Arabia will, according to the company, "benefit from 99.982% uptime guarantees, fully managed colocation services and smart hands, flexible power allocations, GPU-as-a-Service, private cloud, server conversion, customer rack migration and engineering support, Infrastructure-as-a-Service & Software-as-a-Service." Supporting Saudi Arabia's digital future The project represents a milestone for both XDS and ICS Arabia as they contribute to building the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and sovereign data capabilities. The XDS data centre will support national cloud initiatives, artificial intelligence growth, and enterprise workloads that require scalable, low-latency compute infrastructure. Following the announcement of XDS's successful immersion cooled facility in Dubai, this expansion into the Kingdom seeks to position the company as a key operator deploying immersion cooling at scale for high-density compute across the GCC.