Data Centre Projects: Infrastructure Builds, Innovations & Updates

DataVita secures £300m for Scottish data centres

DataVita, a UK data centre and cloud services provider, has secured approximately £300 million in debt financing to expand its existing data centre and also build a second facility in North Lanarkshire’s AI Growth Zone, supported by a £202 million guarantee from the National Wealth Fund. The financing has been provided by ING, ABN AMRO, Santander, the Scottish National Investment Bank, and Siemens Financial Services through Siemens Bank. The National Wealth Fund guarantee covers £202 million of a £252.5 million lending tranche provided by ING, ABN AMRO, and Santander. Financing from the Scottish National Investment Bank and Siemens Financial Services is not covered by the guarantee. The investment will expand DataVita’s existing DV1 data centre and fund construction of DV3. Capacity at both facilities has been contracted to AI cloud provider CoreWeave under a 15-year lease agreement. The two projects are expected to create around 600 construction jobs and approximately 100 permanent skilled roles once completed. North Lanarkshire AI campus takes shape The developments are intended to form the first stage of a larger planned data centre campus in North Lanarkshire, following the site’s designation as Scotland’s first AI Growth Zone earlier this year. DataVita has operated in Scotland’s digital infrastructure sector for more than 10 years, providing data centre infrastructure, cloud services, and connectivity for customers including government bodies, local authorities, and universities. The project is the National Wealth Fund’s first support for domestic compute capacity and is intended to contribute to the UK Government’s Compute Roadmap and Scotland’s five-year AI strategy. Oliver Holbourn, CEO of the National Wealth Fund, says, “New compute capacity is key to unlocking the UK’s future, yet private finance can be difficult to secure for emerging infrastructure at this scale. The National Wealth Fund’s guarantee is helping address that gap, giving lenders the confidence to invest.” Danny Quinn, Managing Director at DataVita, comments, “There is plenty of talk about AI infrastructure just now. This project is being delivered: work is well advanced on site, every megawatt is contracted, and the first facility completes this year. “The UK needs its own AI capability, built here and run here, and we are grateful to the National Wealth Fund and our lenders for backing a project that is already delivering it.” UK AI Minister Kanishka Narayan adds, “The countries that build the infrastructure behind this technology will be the ones that attract investment, create jobs, and help shape the industries of the future.” The Scottish Government’s Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn suggests that the investment will contribute to more than 3,400 jobs and more than £8 billion in private investment associated with the North Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone. For more from DataVita, click here.

EdgeMode, BlackBerry to merge into BLACK AI

Data centre developer EdgeMode and investment firm BlackBerry Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining plans to merge and establish BLACK AI, a publicly listed AI infrastructure development platform. The proposed merger remains subject to final commercial terms, due diligence, definitive agreements, and customary closing conditions. The two organisations have worked together for almost 12 months and intend to combine EdgeMode's public company platform and AI infrastructure portfolio with BlackBerry AIF's experience in project development, renewable energy, infrastructure, and commercial execution. BLACK AI will initially focus on AI infrastructure projects in Spain and Panama, with plans to consider opportunities in additional international markets. Vision 2035 strategy BLACK AI's long-term strategy, Vision 2035, will focus on developing AI infrastructure projects, potentially monetising selected assets at the 'ready-to-build' stage, and progressing other projects through development and construction. The strategy also includes the potential to retain selected infrastructure assets as part of a portfolio intended to generate recurring cash flow. Charlie Faulkner, CEO of EdgeMode, comments, "What excites me most isn't the transaction itself; it's the partnership behind it. "Over the past year, Jose, Simon, and I have built enormous trust, respect, and friendship. The more we worked together, the more obvious it became that we weren't trying to build competing businesses; we were trying to build the same company. "Jose has assembled an outstanding team with exceptional technical and commercial expertise and, together, we believe we have the opportunity to build something truly special. "BLACK AI combines project development capability, strategic partnerships, and access to the public capital markets in a way that positions us to pursue a genuinely long-term vision. "AI infrastructure is one of the defining investment themes of our generation, and we believe BLACK AI has the opportunity to become a significant international platform over the decade ahead." Jose Mora, CEO of BlackBerry AIF, adds, "This partnership is built on a shared vision, complementary expertise, and a common ambition to build something exceptional. "By bringing together our development capability with EdgeMode's public-market platform, we believe BLACK AI will be well positioned to develop large-scale AI infrastructure across multiple international markets. "We believe speed, execution, and long-term thinking will define the winners in this industry and, together, we are creating a platform designed to achieve exactly that." For more from EdgeMode, click here.

Macquarie, Microsoft sign A$278m data centre deal

Macquarie Cloud Services, an Australian cloud services provider for business and government, part of Macquarie Technology Group, has signed a Microsoft Datacentre Optimisation (DCO) agreement covering Azure consumption over the next three years. The agreement is the third DCO agreement signed by Macquarie and builds on its work with Microsoft supporting Australian organisations with cloud migration and infrastructure modernisation. Under the agreement, Microsoft forecasts that Macquarie's Azure consumption spend could reach up to A$278 million (£145 million) over three years, based on its roadmap and performance to date. Microsoft DCO is an initiative intended to support partners in expanding their Azure practices and helping customers with hybrid cloud transformation. Macquarie Cloud Services is a Microsoft cloud service provider (CSP) in Australia and has used the DCO programme to support customer workload migration. Azure demand grows in Australia The agreement comes as Australia's public cloud market is forecast to reach around A$220 billion (£114 billion) by 2034, according to Macquarie. The company attributes the expected growth to AI, cyber security, systems modernisation, and regulatory requirements affecting major industries, which include APRA's CPS 230 and CPS 234 standards, the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act, and Essential Eight (E8) maturity requirements. Vincent Texcier, Global DCO Centre of Excellence at Microsoft, comments, “Macquarie Cloud Services continues to demonstrate strong leadership in helping Australian organisations modernise with Microsoft Azure. “Through this agreement, Macquarie Cloud Services can continue helping customers migrate and modernise infrastructure, strengthen their cloud foundations, and prepare for future data and AI opportunities.” Macquarie has held Microsoft's Expert MSP status for six years. The company says it has delivered average cloud cost savings of 26% and reduced operational risk for thousands of Australian organisations. Naran McClung (pictured above), Executive Head of Azure at Macquarie Cloud Services, notes, “By combining our capabilities with the DCO framework, we are enabling customers to move to Azure at scale, while building a foundation for data, AI, and next-generation applications that will ultimately drive the Australian economy. “Increasingly, our growth is being driven by customers expanding into new workloads and more sophisticated capabilities as their cloud maturity develops, as well as organisations moving to Azure for the first time. "This agreement reflects continued confidence in our Azure capability, experience, and customer outcomes. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Microsoft as it continues its own significant investment into Australia.” For more from Macquarie, click here.

Yondr acquires site for Northern Virginia data centre

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has acquired a 40-acre (16.2-hectare) site in Manassas, Virginia, USA - in partnership with funds and accounts managed by Cerberus Capital Management and its affiliates - which is expected to support the construction of a 72MW data centre campus, with operations planned to begin in 2029. The project is intended to provide additional capacity for hyperscale customers in Northern Virginia, supporting applications including cloud, enterprise, and artificial intelligence workloads. Northern Virginia is already an established data centre market, with a significant presence of hyperscale and cloud operators, extensive fibre connectivity, and connections to major hubs across the northeastern United States. Aaron Wangenheim, CEO of Yondr, comments, "We continue to see strong demand for well-located capacity across our global portfolio, including Northern Virginia, and this acquisition marks another important step in growing our North American footprint. "Bringing a project of this scale online in a market like Northern Virginia takes deep operational expertise and strategic, sophisticated capital, and our partnership with Cerberus brings both together to deliver the capacity hyperscale customers increasingly need." 72MW campus planned for 2029 The project is expected to have power available in the near term, with a target ready-for-service date of 2029. Tom Wagner, Senior Managing Director and Head of North American Real Estate at Cerberus, says, "We are pleased to partner with Yondr to deliver a high-quality project in Northern Virginia that is well positioned to support hyperscale demand. "With near-term power availability in a historically constrained market and a 2029 ready-for-service date, this project will be well positioned to support continued customer demand while creating long-term value for our partners and investors. "We look forward to advancing this project alongside Yondr and identifying compelling opportunities to invest in high-quality real assets supported by the strong fundamentals in the digital economy." For more from Yondr, click here.

US data centre pipeline growth slows in Q1

The pace of new US data centre developments slowed during the first quarter of 2026, with developers increasingly focusing on advancing existing projects rather than announcing new capacity, according to global research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie. Its latest US data center pipeline: Q2 2026 report found that 36GW of new data centre capacity was added to the development pipeline during Q1 2026, a 19% decline compared with Q4 2025. Total disclosed pipeline capacity now stands at 331GW, with around 40% of projects under active development. Wood Mackenzie says the slowdown reflects a more challenging development and regulatory environment, with established developers prioritising the delivery of existing projects. Caitlin Connelly, Senior Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, explains, "Established data centre developers continue to shift their focus to the maturation of their existing pipelines in the face of an increasingly challenging development and regulatory environment. "New entrants focused on gas supply and land access are targeting states such as Texas and Utah, but only a small fraction of those projects are under active development." Investment remains strong despite slower additions Texas continues to lead the US market with almost 100GW of planned capacity, followed by Ohio. New projects are also being planned in states including Utah, New Mexico, and West Virginia, although relatively few have progressed into active development. The report found that 53% of projects have passed the permitting stage, although these account for only 32% of total planned capacity. Meanwhile, signed construction or electricity supply agreements now cover 195GW of capacity, equivalent to around 26% of the United States' peak electricity demand in 2025. Wood Mackenzie also reports that disclosed capital investment in specific projects has exceeded $1 trillion (£743 billion). However, investment remains highly concentrated, with just 6% of projects accounting for 42% of total disclosed capital expenditure. The report also highlights increasing use of behind-the-meter power generation, particularly in Texas. Across projects where generation strategies have been disclosed, gas accounts for 48% of total site capacity, while renewable energy and battery storage represent 38%. Caitlin continues, "The regulatory environment for data centre development is increasingly complex and regionally diverse. Interruptible service options are being deployed, forcing companies to choose between speed to power and firm power. Policymakers tend to view firm service as an unnecessary friction to interconnection. "Fast-track capacity interconnection frameworks seek to bring new generation online quickly ahead of a supply crunch. It remains to be seen whether policy developments help or hinder demand growth, however, as policymakers seek to balance the often competing priorities of affordability and speed to power."

Veolia to operate 350MW data centre microgrid

Veolia, a French multinational environmental services company, has been selected to operate and maintain a 350MW microgrid that will supply power to an AI data centre campus in Ohio, USA. The project will operate independently of the public electricity grid, providing all of the site's power through a combination of on-site generation and battery energy storage. Veolia says the development is intended to help meet growing demand for AI infrastructure whilst reducing pressure on local electricity networks. The contract forms part of the company's 'Data Center Resource 360' offering, which focuses on supporting the operation of data centres through energy, water, and waste management services. The Ohio microgrid will combine gas engines, linear generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and medium-voltage infrastructure into a single energy platform. Veolia will be responsible for operations integration, commissioning support, and the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility under a performance-based contract. The company says it joined the project before commercial operations began to support commissioning, develop operating procedures, and coordinate work between contractors and equipment manufacturers. According to Veolia, the facility has a target availability of 99.9% and will require a dedicated on-site workforce of between 35 and 40 full-time personnel. Grid-independent power for AI infrastructure Karin Hamel, CEO of Veolia Energy North America and Chief Growth Officer for Veolia in North America, comments, "Our work on this project shows how Veolia can help developers accelerate speed-to-power while maintaining the reliability required for mission-critical AI operations, all while protecting the community. "As developers deploy microgrids and other advanced energy systems to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure, they need trusted partners with the expertise to operate these assets safely, reliably, and at scale. "Veolia helps reduce operational risk, improve performance, and provide environmental security for customers and the communities they serve, supporting the responsible growth of AI while delivering reliable and sustainable infrastructure solutions." The company says the microgrid will have 350MW of generation capacity and incorporate a 430MWh battery energy storage system. For more from Veolia, click here.

Croatia approves power infrastructure for 1GW AI data centre

Croatia's national transmission system operator, HOPS, has approved the power infrastructure blueprint for data centre developer Pantheon AI's planned 1GW hyperscale AI campus in Topusko, marking a key milestone for the project. The approval confirms the technical and regulatory feasibility of supplying electricity to the proposed facility and supports plans for construction to begin in early 2027. As part of the proposal, more than €500 million (£427 million) of electricity transmission infrastructure will be developed, including 280km of new transmission lines, fibre-optic networks, a 400kV substation in Topusko, and associated road infrastructure. According to Pantheon AI, the completed infrastructure will be transferred to the Republic of Croatia for long-term ownership and operation. Grid investment to support renewable energy growth The company says the planned infrastructure will also enable access to more than 5GW of renewable energy capacity that is currently constrained by limitations within the national electricity grid. Pantheon AI also explains that the planned 310-acre hyperscale AI data centre has been designed to NVIDIA's 'GW-Scale AI Factory' standards. Mario Gudelj, Project Director at Pantheon AI, comments, "Croatia's largest-ever private investment is moving forward as a direct result of momentum from the unique partnership driving this project: Croatian expertise, US capital, world-class partners in Končar and Greenvolt, and continued support from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia and HEP (a state-owned utility company)." The project team includes Končar Group, Dalekovod Projekt, Parsec Lab, Latham & Watkins, Hodgson Russ, PwC, KPMG, and EU Energy Group. Sisak-Moslavina County has also formally recognised the development as being of special regional importance. For more from Pantheon AI, click here.

Sabey Data Centers marks construction milestone in Oregon

Sabey Data Centers, a data centre developer, owner, and operator, has marked a major construction milestone at its new SDC Umatilla campus in northeast Oregon, USA, holding a "Going Vertical" ceremony as the first structural steel was erected on site. The event, held on 15 July, brought together local and state representatives, community organisations, utility partners, contractors, and members of the project team to mark the next phase of construction. Located in the Columbia Cloud Corridor, the campus is being developed to support hyperscale, enterprise, and colocation customers as demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure continues to grow. Construction enters next phase The ceremony signalled the transition from site preparation and engineering work to the vertical construction phase. Tim Mirick, President of Sabey Data Centers, says, "Watching the first steel go up is always a significant moment because it turns years of planning, engineering, and hard work into something you can finally see. "We are excited to build here, excited to become part of this community, and committed to serving our customers and this region for many years to come." State Representative Bobby Levy comments, "The construction of this new data centre is an exciting investment in northeast Oregon and a strong vote of confidence in our communities. Facilities like this keep our hospitals, schools, and small businesses connected while creating new economic opportunities. "I'm especially pleased that Sabey's use of a closed-loop cooling system demonstrates that innovation and responsible resource stewardship can go hand in hand. We're proud to welcome Sabey Data Centers to northeast Oregon." According to Sabey, the project is expected to create work for hundreds of skilled tradespeople during construction, supporting local businesses and contributing to the regional economy as development progresses. For more from Sabey Data Centers, click here.

Liberty Energy, PowerBridge form joint data centre venture

Liberty Energy, a Denver-based oilfield services company, and PowerBridge, a developer of power-integrated data centre campuses for hyperscale and AI, have formed a joint venture to support the development of powered data centre campuses, beginning with a planned 2GW site in West Texas, USA. The partnership combines PowerBridge's digital campus development experience with Liberty Power Innovations' power generation and energy management offerings to support large-scale AI and hyperscale data centre developments. The companies say the joint venture will provide an integrated approach to campus infrastructure and on-site power generation as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. Its initial focus is the proposed Alpha Digital Campus in West Texas, where the first phase is expected to include more than 300MW of generation capacity. Initial power delivery is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027, with further deployment planned through the first half of 2028. Joint venture targets future AI infrastructure projects PowerBridge is responsible for developing the digital campus infrastructure, including pad-ready sites and a regional fibre conduit network, whilst Liberty Power Innovations will design, develop, and operate the modular power generation systems. The companies say the model is intended to support future gigawatt-scale data centre campuses serving hyperscale operators, AI workloads, and other large power users. Alex Hernandez, founder and Chief Executive Officer of PowerBridge, comments, "PowerBridge was founded on the premise of driving and solving the accelerating convergence between energy and digital infrastructure. Our mission is to serve our digital infrastructure customers with an integrated powered campus solution while building new power generation assets that strengthen grid reliability. "By aligning our powered campus development assets with Liberty's comprehensive power services and operational expertise, we are creating a model that can be scaled across future gigawatt-scale powered data centre campuses in West Texas." Ron Gusek, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Energy, adds, "The most sophisticated customers are increasingly seeking partners that can simplify the delivery of large-scale digital infrastructure projects. As power availability becomes a defining factor in data centre development, customers need integrated solutions that align power generation, energy management, and campus infrastructure planning from the outset. "With PowerBridge, we are helping customers secure reliable power faster and more efficiently, supporting the accelerating growth of AI and digital infrastructure." The joint venture remains subject to the completion of commercial agreements and the required regulatory approvals.

DC BLOX joins 1GW AI data centre project

DC BLOX, a provider of connected data centres and fibre networks, has been selected as the digital infrastructure partner in a development consortium, led by Amentum, a US government services and engineering company, that has been chosen by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to enter negotiations for a phased lease at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The proposed development includes a 1GW AI data centre campus alongside approximately 2GW of dedicated on-site energy generation. The project forms part of a federal initiative to use government-owned sites to support AI infrastructure development, increase power availability for the electricity grid, and advance nuclear reactor technologies. If negotiations are successful, the consortium will develop the project through a public-private partnership intended to accelerate the deployment of AI infrastructure and supporting energy capacity. AI infrastructure and energy development DC BLOX will provide expertise in the design, construction, and operation of digital infrastructure as part of the consortium. The company has previously invested in digital infrastructure across the region and is also a founding member of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. Jeff Uphues, CEO of DC BLOX, says, "DC BLOX is honoured to join Amentum and this visionary consortium to support a programme that accelerates our nation's economic growth through technology advancement. To lead, we must innovate not just in how we build data centres, but in how we power them." The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition brings together energy users, industry organisations, policymakers, and other stakeholders with the aim of supporting the future deployment of nuclear energy alongside digital infrastructure. The organisations say the approach is intended to provide reliable power for AI and cloud computing workloads. For more from DC BLOX, click here.