Data Centre Build News & Insights

SambaNova, Intel unveil hybrid AI platform

SambaNova, a company specialising in AI hardware and software, and American multinational technology company Intel have announced a new hybrid-chip platform designed to address data centre capacity constraints linked to AI workloads. The architecture combines GPUs for prefill processing, Intel Xeon 6 processors for system control and workload execution, and SambaNova’s reconfigurable dataflow units (RDUs) for inference decoding. The platform is expected to be available in the second half of 2026 for enterprise, cloud, and sovereign AI deployments. The design targets agent-based AI workloads, which require coordinated processing across multiple stages, including data input, model inference, and execution of external tools and applications. Hybrid approach to AI infrastructure The platform reflects a shift towards heterogeneous computing in data centres, where different processor types are used for specific tasks rather than relying solely on GPUs. In this model, GPUs handle the initial processing of prompts, while RDUs manage high-throughput inference tasks. Xeon 6 processors act as both the host system and execution layer, coordinating workloads, running code, and managing interactions with external systems. Rodrigo Liang, CEO and co-founder of SambaNova Systems, explains, “Agentic AI is moving into production, and the winning pattern we’re seeing is GPUs to start the job, Intel Xeon 6 to run it, and SambaNova RDUs to finish it fast. "Together with Intel, we’re giving customers a blueprint they can deploy in existing air-cooled data centres, with broad x86 coverage for the coding agents and tools they already use today.” Kevork Kechichian, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Group at Intel, adds, “The data centre software ecosystem is built on x86 and it runs on Xeon, providing a mature, proven foundation that developers, enterprises, and cloud providers rely on at scale. "Workloads of the future will require a heterogeneous mix of computing, and this collaboration with SambaNova delivers a cost-efficient, high-performance inference architecture designed to meet customer needs at scale, powered by Xeon 6.” The companies state that the approach is intended to support increasing demand for AI inference, particularly as agent-based systems move from testing into production environments. Additional industry participants highlighted the growing need for scalable infrastructure to support coding agents and similar workloads, which rely on CPUs for execution alongside accelerators for inference. The announcement marks an expansion of the existing collaboration between SambaNova and Intel, with a focus on enabling large-scale AI deployment across data centre environments.

Black & White Engineering makes senior tech hires

Data centre design consultancy Black & White Engineering has appointed Charlie Bater as Chief Technical Officer and Paul Cook as Global Director of Technology & Innovation, expanding its senior technical leadership team. The appointments come as the company continues to grow internationally, now operating across 24 locations with more than 1,000 employees. The move, the company says, reflects increasing demand for integrated, data-led engineering approaches across data centre and critical infrastructure projects. Charlie Bater takes on the newly created CTO role, having spent eight years with the business, most recently as Global Datacentre Director. During that time, he has supported regional expansion, technical standards, and project delivery consistency. The creation of the CTO role forms part of a wider update to the company’s technical leadership structure, aimed at supporting growth and strengthening engineering capability. Paul Cook joins the senior leadership team as Global Director of Technology & Innovation, working alongside Charlie Bater to develop a more structured approach to technology and innovation across projects. He brings experience across sectors including utilities, ports, pharmaceutical research and development, and healthcare. Prior to joining Black & White Engineering, he worked at Yondr Group and ISG in roles focused on technology, research and development, and digital integration. A focus on technical leadership and innovation Charlie Bater says, “Stepping into the CTO role is an incredible opportunity, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me. Having grown with the business over the past seven years, I’ve seen first hand the strength of our people and the ambition that drives Black & White. “My focus is to build on our position as a leading data centre design consultancy by further enabling a technical function that drives innovation, supports our teams, and ensures we continue delivering high-quality solutions for our clients across global markets.” The appointments are part of the continued development of the company’s Global Engineering Team, a central function that supports project teams, technical direction, and consistency across regions. Paul Cook adds, “A consistent theme throughout my career has been understanding how complex environments operate in practice and how better integration of infrastructure, digital capability, and operational processes can improve performance and resilience. “At Black & White, the opportunity is to build a Technology and Innovation capability that is practical and supports how projects are delivered day to day, while also ensuring that buildings are designed to provide operational insight and enable effective performance over their lifecycle, supported by a structured research and development framework that ensures innovation is captured and applied in a measurable way. That means being clear about where technology adds value, improving how data is used, and strengthening decision-making from the earliest stages of a project.” The company says its Global Engineering Team will continue to support early-stage technical planning, bid development, and standardisation across projects, with a focus on consistency, efficiency, and long-term performance. For more from Black & White Engineering, click here.

DataScope, BCEI sign global data centre agreement

DataScope, a UK provider of construction management software, and Burr Computer Environments (BCEI), an engineering and construction management firm specialising in data centres, have signed a global enterprise agreement to deploy DataScope’s full software suite across BCEI’s data centre projects worldwide. The agreement will cover all current and future developments, including projects delivered in collaboration with EdgeConneX. It formalises a partnership that began in September 2020 with the deployment of DataTouch Daily Site Co-ordination in Santiago, Chile, and has since expanded across multiple international data centre campuses. Locations where the system has been implemented so far include Brussels, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Chicago, Atlanta, New Albany, and Austin. Over this period, DataScope’s platform has been used to provide visibility of labour allocation, site attendance, and workforce competency tracking. It has also supported the management of high-risk activities, alongside reported improved communication and collaboration across project teams. BCEI has additionally used the system to manage key health and safety processes digitally, including permits, safety communications, RAMS, and safety observations. The companies say this has enabled the use of real-time safety data to support proactive risk management across projects. Supporting global scaling and consistency The enterprise agreement is intended to support BCEI’s continued global expansion, enabling more consistent reporting, improved operational control, and greater efficiency across its data centre portfolio. Jason Crowell, Environmental, Health, and Safety Director at BCEI, comments, “Data centre delivery is evolving rapidly and our clients demand both predictability and absolute reliability. "This global agreement ensures we have the digital backbone to scale efficiently while maintaining the highest safety standards across every region we operate in.” Joe Desormeaux, VP, Mission Critical at DataScope, adds, “This enterprise agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey with BCEI. What began in 2020 with the successful deployment of DataTouch in Santiago has grown into a truly global partnership spanning multiple continents and some of the most complex data centre projects in the world. “We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together to date, from establishing robust workforce management and digital permit controls to creating best-in-class daily coordination processes. We look forward to the next phase of this partnership and to supporting BCEI’s continued growth across its global data centre portfolio.”

Nebius to operate 310MW Polarnode data centre

Dutch AI cloud company Nebius will operate a 310MW data centre campus in Lappeenranta, Finland, in a project developed by Finnish data centre project developer Polarnode. Construction is already under way in the Pajarila district, with the first phase expected to become operational in 2027. Once complete, the site is set to be among the largest AI-focused data centres in Europe. The development reflects increasing demand for large-scale infrastructure to support AI workloads, with operators seeking locations that offer access to power, cooling efficiency, and connectivity. Finland is increasingly seen as a suitable location for data centre development, due to its access to low-carbon energy, established grid infrastructure, and favourable climate conditions for cooling. Nebius states it is targeting more than 3GW of contracted power capacity globally by the end of 2026, with the Lappeenranta site contributing to that target. The local impact Mikko Toivanen, Chair at Polarnode, says, “It is fantastic that the first data centre project in Lappeenranta and its surrounding area has advanced to the construction phase on an accelerated schedule, and that [...] Nebius will be operating the campus. "In terms of scale, the project is historic, and this major investment is excellent news for the whole of Southeast Finland.” Arkady Volozh, founder and CEO of Nebius, adds, “We have been building in Finland for many years and are pleased to be expanding our presence here. Lappeenranta represents a significant addition to our global AI infrastructure build-out and will make a significant contribution to achieving our capacity goals.” Polarnode reports that the project will create around 700 direct construction roles, alongside additional indirect employment through subcontractors. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ more than 100 permanent staff. The company has also announced further data centre developments in Nokia, Pori, and Kuopio, as part of its expansion in Northern Europe. Tuomo Sallinen, Mayor of Lappeenranta, notes, “Lappeenranta offers an increasingly attractive environment for innovation, with our universities playing a key role in developing top talent tailored to the needs of high-tech industries. The new data centre will position our city at the forefront of Finland’s AI ecosystem.” For more from Polarnode, click here.

JSM constructing power infrastructure for Maincubes Berlin DC

JSM Group, a provider of integrated utility infrastructure solutions, has commenced construction of the high-voltage substation and cable route for Maincubes’ new data centre campus in Nauen, Germany. The start of the works follows the granting of a building permit for the energy infrastructure and represents a major milestone in the delivery of the main Hub Berlin campus. JSM is responsible for the delivery of the companioned 110kV cable route and substation - critical components that will underpin the campus’s long-term energy security and scalability. The approximately six kilometre cable route will transport electricity from renewable energy sources via the modern E.DIS distribution network to the site’s 110kV substation. Enabling high-performance infrastructure for cloud and AI The new campus has been designed with a grid connection capacity of 200 megawatts - with further expansion options available - to support high-performance computing environments, including advanced AI workloads and complex data analytics. Maincubes selected Nauen as the site for its new campus due to the Berlin-Brandenburg region’s stable energy supply, strong renewable generation from wind and photovoltaics, and favourable conditions for sustainable growth. Oliver Menzel, CEO of Maincubes, comments, “The start of construction of the substation is the next visible step on our journey towards Hub Berlin. "In Nauen, a state-of-the-art data centre location is being created: regionally rooted and internationally connected. In doing so, we are consistently continuing the success story of Maincubes and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable, energy efficient, and resilient digital infrastructure.” JSM leadership perspective Michael Booth, CEO of JSM Group, says, “This project highlights JSM Group’s capability to deliver complex, high-voltage energy infrastructure for mission critical environments. "Data centres of this scale demand absolute reliability, technical excellence, and close collaboration with our partners. We are proud to be playing a central role in enabling Maincubes’ expansion in the Berlin region and supporting the delivery of sustainable, high-performance digital infrastructure.” Michael Wiebersinsky, Mayor of the City of Nauen, adds, “With the new data centre campus, our region is developing into a highly modern location where future innovations can emerge. From a sustainability perspective, it gives me confidence that Nauen will be a reliable partner for the operating company, Maincubes.” Hanjo During, Managing Director of E.DIS Netz, notes, “With the campus currently under development, we will connect a particularly high-performance data centre to our regional electricity distribution network. With the campus planned here in Nauen, the connected capacity will increase significantly in the future.” Through the Nauen development, Maincubes says it continues to expand its presence in the capital region, building on the "successful operation of its first Berlin data centre, BER01."

atNorth data centre heat reuse powers Finnish store

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, has begun supplying recycled heat from its FIN02 data centre in Espoo, Finland, to a nearby retail store operated by Kesko Corporation. The heat reuse system became operational in November 2025 and captures surplus heat generated by the data centre, using it to provide most of the heating required by the adjacent store. The approach reduces reliance on district heating and lowers emissions for both organisations. For Kesko, the initiative supports its target to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 58.8%. The recovered heat is expected to cut emissions linked to district heating by around 200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year, representing approximately 0.9% of its district heating emissions. Antti Kokkonen, Director of Energy at Kesko, comments, “Reducing emissions from the heating of our properties is a key priority within our sustainability strategy. “Through this collaboration with atNorth, we are able to significantly cut emissions at one of our stores while demonstrating how innovative partnerships can accelerate the transition to lower-carbon operations.” Supporting local energy systems through heat reuse The project reflects a wider trend of integrating data centres into local energy systems by repurposing excess heat. By capturing waste heat, the FIN02 facility improves overall energy efficiency while contributing to Finland’s circular economy objectives. Erling Gudmundsson, COO of atNorth, notes, “As demand for AI-ready digital infrastructure continues to grow, it is essential that data centres scale responsibly. “This project demonstrates how data centres can become active contributors to local energy systems. By recycling excess heat, we can reduce our client’s environmental footprint while supporting our partners’ sustainability goals and delivering tangible benefits to the surrounding community.” The FIN02 site forms part of atNorth’s wider Nordic expansion strategy. The company is also involved in similar heat reuse projects, including a greenhouse development in Iceland and partnerships with Vestforbrænding in Denmark and Stockholm Exergi in Sweden to supply district heating networks. For more from atNorth, click here.

Echelon launches Ireland’s first Green Energy Park

Echelon Data Centres, a developer and operator of large-scale data centre infrastructure, has announced that its DUB20 campus in Arklow, Co Wicklow, will become Ireland’s first Green Energy Park, aligned with the Irish Government’s Large Energy Users Action Plan (LEAP). Green Energy Parks are defined by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment as developments that co-locate energy-intensive facilities, such as data centres, with renewable energy generation. They are designed to operate primarily on renewable power, supported by energy storage or backup generation, while reducing reliance on the national grid. Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment, comments, “The Large Energy Users Action Plan sets out a clear pathway for how energy-intensive industries can develop in a way that strengthens Ireland’s grid, accelerates renewable deployment, and supports our climate ambitions. “The Green Energy Park being developed at DUB20 is an important example of that model in action: co-locating data infrastructure with offshore wind, onsite solar, battery storage, and grid-supporting capacity. This is exactly the kind of forward-planned, sustainable development we want to see delivered under LEAP.” Integrating renewables with data centre infrastructure The DUB20 campus is being developed in line with the LEAP framework and will integrate several energy systems. Plans include a 220kV substation developed with SSE Renewables, enabling access to offshore wind energy from the Arklow Bank Wind Park Phase 2 project. Onsite solar PV is also planned, with expected generation exceeding 6,000MWh per year. The site will incorporate battery energy storage systems (BESS) and energy centres, including infrastructure capable of exporting power back to the grid during periods of low renewable output. Hydrotreated vegetable oil will be used to reduce emissions from onsite generation. The DUB20 campus forms part of Echelon’s wider investment in data centre developments in Wicklow and is located on a former industrial site at the Avoca River Business Park. Construction is underway, with completion expected by 2028. An economic impact assessment by KPMG indicates that the DUB20 and DUB30 developments could generate up to €7.5 billion (£6.4 billion) in economic output during construction, and €801 million (£693 million) annually once operational. Graeme McWilliams, Co-Founder of Echelon Data Centres, says, “The establishment of Ireland’s first Green Energy Park at DUB20 demonstrates how large-scale digital infrastructure can be developed responsibly and in lockstep with national climate and energy policy. “By co-locating data centre capacity with offshore wind, onsite solar, and grid-supporting infrastructure, we are delivering the exact model envisioned under the Government’s LEAP framework - cutting emissions, reinforcing energy security, and supporting regional economic growth.” For more from Echelon, click here.

CyrusOne breaks ground on first data centre in Italy

CyrusOne, a global data centre developer and operator, has broken ground on its first data centre in Italy, marking its entry into the Milan market. The facility, known as MIL1, is the first of two planned developments in the area. It will provide 27MW of IT capacity across 7,000m² of technical space within a three-storey building that includes three data halls. Andreas Paduch, Managing Director, Europe at CyrusOne, says, “Milan is an increasingly important digital infrastructure market for Southern Europe, and this development marks a key milestone in our European growth strategy. “With MIL1, we are establishing a strong platform in Milan to support our customers’ long-term capacity and connectivity needs.” Community investment and site regeneration The development is being delivered in collaboration with the Municipality of Segrate, with more than €6 million (£5.19 million) allocated to local infrastructure improvements. Plans include the redevelopment of Via delle Regioni into an urban boulevard, with improved connections to nearby schools, a library, and other public buildings. Additional work will include a new east–west road, cycle routes, and pedestrian pathways aimed at improving access and safety. CyrusOne has also transferred ownership of the Golfo Agricolo parkland to the local authority for community use, alongside landscaping works around the site. In addition, construction is expected to create up to 300 on-site roles at peak, with around 25 permanent positions once the facility becomes operational. Paolo Micheli, Mayor of Segrate, comments, “The start of construction on the CyrusOne data centre marks a significant step in the development of Segrate and strengthens our city's role as a leading hub for innovation and digital infrastructure. “An investment of this magnitude enhances the area, as it finally allows for the regeneration of a vast, problematic industrial area that has been abandoned for decades.” Focus on sustainability The facility is designed to operate using 100% renewable energy and is targeting a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating. It will also include systems to recover and reuse waste heat, initially within the site but with the potential to support a district heating network in future. Additionally, more than 15,000 plants and 170 trees are being planned as part of the development to support biodiversity. As the project involves the regeneration of a former industrial site, demolition materials will be reused or recycled to reduce waste, with around 60% of materials being reused on site and most excavated soil also retained for construction purposes. For more from CyrusOne, click here.

STULZ, Merford conduct unique acoustic test for data centres

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, and Merford, a Dutch specialist in noise control systems and acoustic doors, have completed an acoustic test confirming that a newly developed chiller system can meet strict data centre noise regulations under operational conditions. The test was carried out on a chiller for a project in Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy. It used a validated measurement methodology designed to reflect real-world performance, as operators increasingly consider noise alongside cooling capacity and energy efficiency. As data centre power densities increase, larger cooling systems can create greater environmental impact, particularly in urban locations. The project required compliance with a maximum night-time noise level of 80.2dB(A), prompting acoustic considerations to be integrated early in the design process. Davide Mazzi, Head of the Application Team at STULZ, explains, “The challenge was not only to guarantee efficient cooling, but to comply with extremely strict noise limits. “The installation is located on a rooftop in a densely built urban environment. Our task was to deliver the required performance without disturbing the surroundings and without compromising the operational reliability of the data centre.” Acoustic testing under real operating conditions The companies developed a noise attenuation system tailored to the chiller configuration. Acoustic measurements were conducted in line with EN ISO 9614-2:1997, which determines sound power levels using sound intensity measurements. Before testing, the team carried out an environmental analysis using SoundPLAN software to model sound propagation. The test setup ensured that background noise levels were at least 10dB below the chiller’s output, with surrounding equipment positioned to avoid interference. Two attenuation configurations were assessed: Both used steel frame structures with integrated acoustic components to reduce airborne and structure-borne noise, while the second configuration also included additional optimisation measures, resulting in greater overall noise reduction (although it increased system weight and complexity). Engineers measured sound power levels with and without the attenuation system to quantify performance and confirm compliance with the required limits. Davide continues, “We were delighted to find that the chiller equipped with the developed attenuation system successfully met the stringent noise requirements. “This project demonstrates that data centre cooling and acoustic compliance can be achieved simultaneously when engineering, acoustic design, and validation are approached as an integrated process. "As data centres continue to expand into urban environments, such integrated approaches are likely to become essential for balancing performance, sustainability, and community impact.” For more from STULZ, click here.

Industry recognises International Data Centre Day

In celebration of International Data Centre Day (25 March), DCNN has brought together a series of expert perspectives from across the industry to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing data centre infrastructure today. From soaring energy demands driven by AI workloads to the shifting geography of deployment and the importance of community stewardship, these industry figures offer a broad view of the forces reshaping the sector and what must be done to meet them responsibly: The future of deployment Ivo Ivanov, CEO of internet exchange operator DE-CIX, comments, "The AI boom used to be about building bigger, better data centres. That works for model training, where raw compute power is prioritised over connectivity and latency, but it doesn't work for inference, which is where the real value of AI is realised at edge deployments. "AI inference demands near real-time responsiveness and, as such, it can't tolerate the latency associated with long round-trip delays to remote data centre hubs. From driverless vehicles to real-time fraud detection, the deployment of AI in edge locations demands a far more distributed infrastructure environment than what we're currently used to. "AI depends on data moving constantly between locations, and if that movement slows down, performance drops off quickly, no matter how much compute you add into the equation. It's no longer about building bigger or better data centres, but about where they're deployed and how they're connected. In other words, geography is becoming just as important as power and compute. "In the coming years, that's going to stretch the definition of data centres: from hyperconnected edge deployments and emerging AI-focused data centre hubs to more experimental concepts that sit above the clouds in the Earth's orbit. The data centre map is being redrawn in real time." Sustainability continuing as a vital factor Professor Aoife Foley, IEEE Senior Member and Chair in Net Zero Infrastructure at the University of Manchester, notes, "The International Energy Agency expects data centre electricity demand to more than double by 2030, reaching around 945 terawatt-hours, slightly above Japan's annual use. This not only indicates a greater demand for energy, but also highlights the importance of balancing digital growth with sustainable energy practices. "Infrastructure and operations leaders have a responsibility here and need to consider the unnecessary waste associated with data storage and commit to generating power from more renewable sources. By eliminating unstructured data and improving operational efficiency, organisations can actually lower their maintenance costs and improve regulatory compliance. "AI workloads consume significantly more energy than traditional cloud computing tasks, and although hyperscale operators are investing in renewable energy to soften the impact, this alone is not enough. Cooling innovations such as liquid immersion and direct-to-chip systems add further efficiencies, yet they still address symptoms rather than the deeper inefficiencies in model design and compute intensity. These impacts can be reduced through smarter model optimisation and a closer alignment between data centre strategy and regional renewable generation." Infrastructure integrated into communities Dave Philp, Chief Value Officer at infrastructure engineering software and digital twin platform provider Bentley Systems, concludes, "International Data Centre Day is a moment to recognise the often-unseen critical infrastructure that underpins modern life. Like healthcare, transport, and energy systems, data centres have become essential civic infrastructure in an increasingly connected world. "Today, data centres are no longer isolated technical buildings; they are part of the fabric of local communities. Being a 'good neighbour' is no longer optional; it is fundamental to earning trust, securing consent, and operating sustainably over the long term. That requires a clear understanding of how data centres interact with local water resources, energy networks, transport infrastructure, and surrounding land use. "We need to put digital modelling, analysis, and visualisation at the heart of how we plan, design, deliver, and operate these facilities. This enables better decisions, earlier engagement, and more resilient outcomes, anticipating construction challenges, responding to environmental constraints, and embedding operational resilience from day one. "As global demand for digital services continues to accelerate, the challenge is not simply to build more data centres, but to build them better. Thoughtful design, digital insight, and a commitment to community and environmental stewardship are what turn a data centre from a functional box into a trusted, long‑term asset that genuinely serves society."