Data Centre Projects: Infrastructure Builds, Innovations & Updates

LINX to upgrade Lunar Digital data centre into fully resilient PoP

The London Internet Exchange (LINX), an internet exchange point (IXP) operator, is planning to upgrade its presence at the Lunar Digital data centre in Manchester, UK, transitioning the site from a single-homed transmission site to a dual-homed, fully resilient point of presence (PoP). LINX initially went live at Lunar Digital to gauge market demand for an additional PoP at the LINX Manchester interconnection hub. The reportedly strong uptake of services since the September 2024 deployment has now indicated to the company the need for a full, diverse, and resilient presence from the IXP at the facility. Jennifer Holmes, CEO of LINX, comments, “Manchester continues to establish itself as a powerhouse digital hub for the North, and the response and demand for LINX services from networks at Lunar Digital has exceeded our expectations.” Mike Hellers, Product Development Manager for LINX, adds, “Our Manchester LAN has tripled in size over the last couple of years to now enabling 130 networks to access low-latency services and [it] regularly carries more than 900Gbps of traffic at busy periods. “Upgrading Lunar to a resilient PoP ensures existing LINX members and future networks can benefit from enhanced reliability, additional capacity, and greater choice as the regional ecosystem continues to grow.” Manchester as a growing hub Lunar Digital operates three data centres in Manchester with LINX being accessible via a single cross connect from Lunar1 and Lunar2. The announced move underscores the rapid expansion of network operators, cloud platforms, content providers, and digital businesses choosing to colocate in Manchester. “We’re thrilled to deepen our collaboration with LINX,” says Rob Garbutt, CEO of Lunar Digital. “The upgrade to a full PoP reflects not only the growth of Lunar Digital, but the wider demand for robust, high‑performance, low-latency connectivity options across the North of England.” Networks at Lunar Digital will be able to access services at the LINX Manchester internet exchange via a single cross connect. This includes services like peering, private VLANs, Closed User Groups, and the exclusive Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS). The transition work is due to be completed in the coming weeks. For more from LINX, click here.

Pulsant opens high-density UK facility outside London

UK data centre operator Pulsant has completed a £10 million investment in a new high-density data hall at its Milton Keynes site, SE-1. The facility has been developed to support increased demand for artificial intelligence and advanced computing workloads, with the expansion forming part of Pulsant’s national platformEDGE framework, extending high-performance, UK-based infrastructure outside the London market. The 1.2MW expansion is designed for high-density computing applications, including AI, machine learning, and accelerated workloads. These use cases are commonly associated with sectors such as financial services, healthcare, biotechnology, IT, and gaming. Regional capacity beyond the London market Pulsant positions the Milton Keynes site as an alternative location for organisations seeking UK data centre capacity outside London. The site sits within the Oxford-Cambridge technology cluster, which is home to around 570,000 employees and generates approximately £135 billion in annual turnover. The facility offers latency of around two milliseconds to London Docklands and Slough. It forms part of Pulsant’s network of 14 UK data centres, interconnected via a 400Gb-capable network, providing access to more than 1,600 cloud services, network providers, and business partners. The launch follows increased focus on domestic digital infrastructure, including government funding aimed at strengthening UK AI capability. Milton Keynes has continued to attract technology businesses, supported by regional business networks and digital innovation activity. Rob Coupland, CEO at Pulsant, says, “The £10 million expansion of our Milton Keynes data centre is another big investment in our digital platform to meet hunger for high density compute power. "UK digital infrastructure is facing unprecedented demand. With AI-ready capacity in short supply, bringing high performance, flexibility, and choice to regional locations is critical. “For organisations looking for ultra-low latency, international connectivity, and UK sovereign compute power, Milton Keynes is a great option compared to constrained and costly London data centres which lack the opportunity for expansion. “Our unique platform gives local, national, and international clients the flexibility to circumvent some of the risks associated with the London cluster while maintaining high performance, resilience, and connectivity.” Pulsant states that it plans to roll out its high-density model to additional UK regions as part of its wider national infrastructure strategy. For more from Pulsant, click here.

North East England data centre hub launched

A consortium of North East engineering and manufacturing powerhouses have joined forces to launch a new not-for-profit forum designed to help shape and propel the future of the data centre sector in the region. The North East Data Centre Hub has been founded by major global companies including RED Engineering Design, Cleveland Cable Company, CMP Products, Durata, and RWO Associates. Together, the founding members says they share a clear ambition to build momentum by collaborating on the development of a strong local engineering, construction, and digital supply chain to support data centre projects across the region and beyond. Opportunities in the North East With the North East strongly positioned as one of Europe’s largest data centre and AI infrastructure hubs - driven by government policy, energy availability, and major hyperscale investment - the launch of the hub provides an opportunity to shape the conversation locally and accelerate growth through regular engagement. The initiative aims to unlock the region’s full potential as a leading data centre destination. To mark its launch, the consortium will host the North East Data Centre Hub’s first networking event (which is already fully booked) on 25 February, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, at Liberty House in Newcastle's city centre. Speaking about the North East Data Hub and its first event, John McGee (pictured above), Group CEO at Durata, says, “The hub provides an excellent opportunity for professionals in the sector - from developers and operators through to consultants and suppliers - to collaborate, share innovation, and exchange best practice. "By strengthening local connections, we can amplify the North East’s contribution to the wider UK and global data centre market. “We are delighted with the companies spearheading this initiative. Each brings extensive global experience in delivering critical infrastructure projects and, by working together - and joining forces with other local businesses - we can build a strong, resilient regional supply chain that supports long‑term growth, investment, and skills development in the North East. “With registration already reaching full capacity for our first event, it’s clear there is strong appetite for a hub of this nature. Many delegates will be attending with a shared goal, and this is just the beginning. We have an exciting programme of events planned over the next 12 months, with much more to come from the North East Data Centre Hub.” The North East Data Centre Hub is open to organisations across the data centre ecosystem, with plans for a programme of bi-monthly events hosted across the region, featuring speakers and with the opportunity for discussion and continued networking. To be the first to know about upcoming events and industry news from the newly formed hub, you can sign up for alerts by clicking here.

DataVita secures £44.9m contract with Glasgow City Council

DataVita, a UK data centre and cloud services provider, has announced it has secured a major contract with Glasgow City Council to provide the city’s core compute and storage services. The initial agreement is valued at £44.9 million over five years and nine months and will see DataVita modernise the Council's digital backbone to underpin essential public services. The partnership includes options for the Council to extend for multiple periods and, should the contract run for its maximum permitted duration of over 10 years, the total projected value is estimated to be between £80 million and £110 million. Under the initial term, which began on 8 October 2025, DataVita will deliver a comprehensive suite of services from its Tier-III-certified Scottish data centres. These services will form the foundation of the Council's IT infrastructure, supporting over 400 applications that are critical to daily public services. The scope includes providing resilient primary and disaster recovery environments, managing virtual and physical servers, scalable storage, and "robust backup solutions" featuring immutable copies for maximum data protection. As part of the contract, up to 25 new roles will also be created, including several apprenticeships, which DataVita says reflects its "commitment to skills development and job creation within Scotland’s tech sector." Investments in Scotland's backbone Danny Quinn, Managing Director of DataVita, comments, "We are incredibly proud to be selected as a strategic partner for Glasgow City Council. We are focused on delivering exceptional value and innovation over the initial term and see this as the start of a long-term partnership. "Our mission is to provide a resilient, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure that will not only meet the city's needs today, but also support its ambitions for the future. This award is a testament to our team's expertise and our commitment to investing in Scotland's technology ecosystem." As part of Glasgow's transition to a multi-source IT delivery model, DataVita will integrate with the Council's Service Integration and Management (SIAM) function, aiming to ensure efficient and collaborative service delivery alongside other partners. Paul Leinster, Chair of the Digital Glasgow Board from Glasgow City Council, says, “The essential services that we deliver to citizens and the value they add to people’s lives are always our first priorities. “Increasingly, though, we rely on a complex digital estate to deliver those services, and this contract will ensure we have a secure, resilient platform to support what is an incredibly diverse range of work. "DataVita brings proven capability here in Scotland, and their commitment to renewable, energy‑efficient operations aligns with Glasgow’s ambitions for a cleaner, greener city.” For more from DataVita, click here.

AIP partners with Caterpillar for 2GW AI power

Developer of integrated AI power and compute infrastructure platforms American Intelligence & Power Corporation (AIP), construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, and equipment deliverer Boyd CAT have formed a strategic partnership to support the development of AIP’s Monarch Compute Campus in West Virginia, USA. The agreement includes a purchase arrangement for dedicated onsite power infrastructure, intended to support hyperscale and enterprise data centre requirements. The initial phase will provide up to 2GW of generation capacity, with power delivery beginning in 2026 and full capacity online during 2027. Under the agreement, AIP has ordered 2GW of fast-response natural gas generator sets to support the first phase of Monarch. Deliveries are scheduled between September 2026 and August 2027. The generation systems will be supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS), intended to manage rapid load changes associated with AI workloads. The equipment is expected to be commissioned within months of delivery, supporting phased deployment at the site. Further expansion is planned in later phases. Power platform for AI data centre workloads The Monarch site is designed as a behind-the-meter power platform, with onsite generation intended to operate independently of incremental utility transmission or distribution infrastructure. According to the companies, the platform is intended to support rapid load variability, high availability, and predictable long-term operation for AI-driven data centre environments. Daniel J Shapiro, CEO of AIP, comments, “This strategic alliance reflects a shared commitment to delivering reliable, scalable, and capital-efficient power solutions on an accelerated timeline. "Our design is purpose-built for AI data centre operations, combining fast-response natural gas generation with battery energy storage to manage rapid load variability and deliver consistent power quality at scale. "By leveraging our existing microgrid designation from the State of West Virginia, we can bring new capacity online quickly while supporting long-term grid reliability and resilience, without increasing rates or adding costs for existing utility customers.” Melissa Busen, Senior Vice President of Electric Power at Caterpillar, adds, “This collaboration reflects Caterpillar and our dealers’ continued focus on supporting customers that require primary, continuous-duty power at scale through our broad energy portfolio. "Projects like Monarch demonstrate how Caterpillar’s natural gas generation platforms are being deployed as core infrastructure for data centres and other power intensive applications where reliability, speed of deployment, and lifecycle performance are critical.” Generator details The project will use Caterpillar G3516 fast-response natural gas generator sets, selected for behind-the-meter data centre applications. The generators are designed to support rapid start, load-following operation, and continuous-duty performance. According to the companies, the systems can ramp from zero to full load in approximately seven seconds, supporting workloads with rapid load fluctuations. The generators will operate on natural gas and incorporate emissions controls, including selective catalytic reduction, to support compliance with relevant air permitting requirements. The Monarch platform has a stated long-term target of up to 8GW of planned generation capacity. With an existing West Virginia microgrid designation, the site is intended to operate without increasing rates or adding costs for existing utility customers. In parallel, AIP and Caterpillar have also entered into a strategic alliance framework covering phased expansion planning, operations and maintenance strategy, lifecycle performance, and service and parts support. The agreement also includes vendor equipment financing through Caterpillar Financial, subject to standard terms and conditions and aligned with delivery phasing. For more from Caterpillar, click here.

GCRE extends Energy and Data Centre Partner opportunity

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has extended its competition to secure an Energy and Data Centre Partner (EDCP) for its 700-hectare site. GCRE is a new, purpose-built facility being developed in South West Wales for international rail research, testing, and net zero technology development. The GCRE site has the potential to become Europe’s leading cluster for rail innovation. In September last year, the company began its search for a partner to develop Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and a data centre (DC) on the site, a former open cast mine equivalent to the size of Gatwick Airport. The plan is for the partner to develop the assets alongside the rail project. Chief Executive Simon Jones notes that ‘significant’ interest had been expressed in the site from developers in the energy and data centre sectors, but confirmed that bidders had requested more time to develop comprehensive proposals for the site. GCRE has therefore decided to extend its search for a partner into 2026, with a revised EDCP Invitation to Tender (ITT) available on the Sell to Wales platform. Potential bidders can register their interest in the opportunity, by completing a ‘Conditions of Participation’ document, which runs from now until 12 noon on 10th March 2026. Opportunities in an emerging data centre region The site is only 30km from Bridgend and 50km from Cardiff, where data centre clusters are already forming. GCRE Chief Executive Simon Jones explains, “The last few weeks have been very encouraging as we have seen the significant interest there is from the commercial market in the GCRE site as a location for high-quality renewable energy and data centre infrastructure. “What’s clear, however, is that more time is needed for bidders to develop their proposals. It has meant that we have taken the decision as a company to extend our partner search and give everyone in the market more time to put forward proposals. “That is why we have issued a new ITT with an extended timeline to allow that interest to crystalise into firm proposals. We had originally hoped to appoint a partner by the end of the current Senedd term, but that has not been possible and so we have extended the time available into 2026. “The opportunity for a long-term partnership with GCRE is a unique one. The GCRE site’s size, power grid, and telecoms connectivity make it very appealing for the development of renewable energy assets and data centre infrastructure. 132kV and 400kV power lines cross over the GCRE site, with high-quality fibre connectivity being progressed for the area. “It’s right that we take time to find the correct partner. Energy and data centre infrastructure at GCRE will help raise the economic profile of the site, something that is very important as we continue our search for private investment for the rail project.” The EDCP competition is being developed in parallel with GCRE’s separate search for private investment for the railway. Simon continues, “We have seen in recent months the important ways in which the energy and AI policy landscape is developing fast. The UK is seeking to harness the opportunities of net zero transition and AI by developing the infrastructure needed to support it. "This region is at the forefront of that change. Just recently, South Wales was designated as a new AI Growth Zone by the UK Government. “GCRE and the modern energy and data infrastructure we can build on the site is one of those opportunities and it’s something we believe we can use as a platform for new green jobs around an international rail cluster.”

DataVita's North Lanarkshire site named AI Growth Zone

Data centre and cloud services provider DataVita's North Lanarkshire site has been named a UK AI Growth Zone, unlocking £8.2 billion of private investment for the region - one of the largest technology commitments in Scottish history. The project brings together three integrated components: 500MW of AI-ready data centre capacity, over 1GW of private wire renewable energy infrastructure, and 'innovation parks' designed to attract next-generation industries. Over 3,400 jobs will reportedly be created in the coming years, from immediate construction roles through to permanent positions in data centre operations, renewable energy, and AI-related fields. Site details DataVita is building 500MW of hyperscale data centre capacity optimised for AI workloads. The facilities use closed-loop cooling systems with near-zero water consumption and will operate at a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.15. Over 1GW of renewable energy - wind, solar, and battery storage - will be developed on private wire connections directly to the data centres. The system will be grid positive, exporting surplus clean energy to the national grid. Power costs will be sub-10p per kWh, with carbon intensity under 5 gCO₂e/kWh - 97% lower than the London grid average. Purpose-built 'innovation parks' will provide the physical infrastructure for next-generation industries. The development includes laboratory space, robotics research facilities, and advanced manufacturing units, aiming to attract companies and researchers who need proximity to AI compute at scale. The goal is to create a thriving ecosystem where the anchor investment draws new businesses and hundreds of additional jobs to the region. A community fund will also deliver over £543 million to North Lanarkshire over the next 15 years, supporting skills and training programmes, local charities, and community initiatives. The fund will be governed by an independent board with local representation, ensuring the community decides how the money is spent. Additional commitments include 50 apprenticeships and an AI Venture Fund backing Scottish startups. Eco-conscious development DataVita claims the AI Growth Zone will be one of the most sustainable AI infrastructure developments in the world. The system is grid positive, with renewable sources to generate more energy than the data centres consume. Carbon intensity will be 97% lower than other major UK data centre hubs and with almost zero water waste. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall comments, "Today’s announcement is about creating good jobs, backing innovation, and making sure the benefits AI will bring can be felt across the community. “From thousands of new jobs and billions in investment through to support for local people and their families, AI Growth Zones are bringing generation-defining opportunity to all corners of the country.” Danny Quinn, Managing Director of DataVita, adds, "Scotland has everything AI needs: the talent, the green energy, and now the infrastructure. But this goes beyond the physical build. "We're creating innovation parks, new energy infrastructure, and attracting inward investment from some of the world's leading technology companies. This is a real opportunity for North Lanarkshire, and we want to make sure local people share in it. "The £543 million community fund means the benefits stay here: good jobs, new skills, and investment that actually reaches the people who live and work in this area." For more from DataVita, click here.

XYZ Reality appoints new COO and CFO

XYZ Reality, a provider of augmented reality (AR) and real-time project controls, has appointed Bruno P.S. Rocha as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Soroosh Keshtgar (pictured above) as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at a time when demand is increasing across data centre construction projects. The company says adoption of its construction delivery platform is rising across hyperscale data centre and mission-critical environments, with projects increasing in scale and complexity. The appointments are intended to support operational growth and long-term expansion. As COO, Bruno will be responsible for operational execution, aligning teams, and strengthening consistency across delivery as the company expands across markets and customers. His remit also includes shaping the operating model and supporting planned fundraising activity. He has previously held senior roles at Palantir and Gecko Robotics, with experience in engineering-led and robotics organisations. He joins XYZ Reality with a background focused on applying technology to physical-world operations. Soroosh joins as CFO as the company scales into larger projects and prepares for further international growth. His role will focus on strengthening financial systems, processes, and governance to support decision-making and future investment. He began his career in aerospace engineering before qualifying as a chartered accountant at PwC. He has since held senior finance roles in high-growth organisations, with experience in scaling finance functions during periods of rapid expansion and organisational change. Leadership to support mission-critical growth David Mitchell, founder and CEO of XYZ Reality, says, “As we scale the business, it’s critical that we strengthen our leadership team alongside the customer base and technology. "Bruno and Soroosh bring the experience, perspective, and operational discipline we need to support increasingly complex projects and build a resilient company for long-term growth.” Bruno Rocha, COO at XYZ Reality, comments, “XYZ Reality is at a real inflection point. The technology is proven and the momentum is clear; now it’s about building a company that can scale well beyond a single product or market. "This is about solving real problems in construction. With the right people and ambition, there’s a genuine opportunity to rethink how construction is delivered end to end.” Soroosh Keshtgar, CFO at XYZ Reality, adds, “As XYZ Reality scales into larger, more complex projects, financial clarity becomes critical. "My focus is on building the systems, transparency, and insight that allow the business to make confident, data-informed decisions, supporting customers, investors, and the wider team as we grow.” For more from XYZ Reality, click here.

McCarthy tops out NV12 project at Vantage’s campus

General contractor McCarthy Building Companies recently completed the topping out milestone for hyperscale data centre provider Vantage Data Centers’ second of four planned data centres on its NV1 Campus, located outside of Reno in Storey County, Nevada, USA. With representatives from Storey County and Vantage leadership in attendance, the project marked major progress on the NV12 facility, the second 64-megawatt (MW) data centre on the campus. Phase I of the campus provides hyperscalers and large cloud providers with 128 MW of combined critical IT capacity across its NV11 and NV12 facilities. The campus has reportedly created more than 1,200 local construction jobs and generated local economic impact. McCarthy notes that, just recently, the campus reached more than 1.1 million labour hours on site since breaking ground in May 2024, with zero lost-time incidents through what it describes as a "campus-wide commitment to safe construction practices and innovative methods." Austin Osborne, Storey County Manager, explains, “Vantage Data Centers, our developer partners; McCarthy Building Companies, the general contractor on site; and the Storey County team - from Community Development and Planning to Business Development and the Fire Protection District - have worked closely to move this project forward. "It’s a strong example of effective collaboration, and we’re grateful for the long-term opportunities this project will continue to bring to our community.” The 260,000ft² (24,155m²), two-storey NV12 facility utilises liquid-to-liquid cooling, similar to NV11, that operates on a closed loop chilled water system to properly cool the systems while requiring only an initial fill. This more sustainable design is common across Vantage’s data centres, with the company noting it represents its "commitment to sustainable operations and long-term reliability." Continued construction during ongoing operation Jared Carlson, Senior Vice President at McCarthy Building Companies, comments, “This project has demonstrated an incredible commitment to sustainability, safe construction, and operations, and has created a strong sense of community within Storey County. "Vantage and our design-build partners have been instrumental in creating a campus that will provide significant economic impact to the region and will continue to sustain technological growth in the years to come.” Following turnover of NV11, NV12 will begin to turn over phased portions of the facility beginning in December 2027, allowing customers to begin operations prior to final completion in early 2029. As construction progress continues, McCarthy will be piloting the use of an HP Robot to map out the layout of NV12’s walls, blockouts, and backing. Following the robot’s success on some of McCarthy's healthcare projects, the team will use the robot to layout all elements on the concrete slab, based on the existing Building Information Model (BIM) layout. This method allows for greater efficiency and precision as the facility’s core components have already been digitally modelled to the site’s conditions.Both NV11 and NV12 are being constructed by McCarthy in a design-build effort with Corgan, serving as the campus architect. Key design-build trade partners include: Amfabsteel, Chavez-Grieves, Rosendin Electric, Apollo Mechanical Contractors, Salas O’Brien, Integrated Fire and Security Solutions, Cosco Fire Protection, and Wood Rogers. For more from Vantage, click here.

Multi-million pound Heathrow data centre upgrade completed

Managed IT provider Redcentric has completed a multi-million pound electrical infrastructure upgrade at its Heathrow Corporate Park data centre in London. The project was partly funded through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, which supports high-energy organisations adopting lower-carbon technologies. The programme included replacement of legacy uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). As part of the upgrade, Centiel supplied StratusPower modular UPS equipment to protect an existing 7 MW critical load. Redcentric states the system design allows the facility to increase capacity to 10.5 MW without additional infrastructure work. The site reports a rise in UPS operating efficiency from below 90% to more than 97%, which could reduce future emissions over the expected lifecycle of the equipment. Modular UPS deployment and installation Paul Hone, Data Centre Facilities Director at Redcentric, comments, “Our London West colocation data centre is a strategically located facility that offers cost effective ISO-certified racks, cages, private suites, and complete data halls, as well as significant on-site office space. The data centre is powered by 100% renewable energy, sourced solely from solar, wind, and hydro. “In 2023 we embarked on the start of a full upgrade across the facility which included the electrical infrastructure and live replacement of legacy UPS before they reached end of life. This part of the project has now been completed with zero downtime or disruption. “In addition, for 2026, we are also planning a further deployment of 12 MW of power protection from two refurbished data halls being configured to support AI workloads of the future.” Aaron Oddy, Sales Manager at Centiel, adds, “A critical component of the project was the strategic removal of 22 MW of inefficient, legacy UPS systems. By replacing outdated technology with the latest innovation, we have dramatically improved efficiency delivering immediate and substantial cost savings. “StratusPower offers an exceptional 97.6% efficiency, dramatically increasing power utilisation and reducing the data centre's overall carbon footprint - a key driver for Redcentric. “The legacy equipment was replaced by Centiel’s StratusPower UPS system, featuring 14x500kW Modular UPS Systems. This delivered a significant reduction in physical size, while delivering greater resilience as a direct result of StratusPower’s award-winning, unique architecture. Durata carried out the installation work. Paul Hone concludes, “Environmental considerations were a key driver for us. StratusPower is a truly modular solution, ensuring efficient running and maintenance of systems. Reducing the requirement for major midlife service component replacements further adds to its green credentials. “With no commissioning issues [and] zero reliability challenges or problems with the product, we are already talking to the Centiel team about how they can potentially support us with power protection at our other sites.” For more from Centiel, click here.