Data Centre Projects: Infrastructure Builds, Innovations & Updates

Barings extends Stockholm data centre lease

Alternative investment manager Barings has secured a 10-year lease extension with a global data centre operator at its Vanda 3 site in Kista, Stockholm, Sweden, while also obtaining an additional 30MW of power capacity to support future expansion. The agreement strengthens occupancy at the Vanda 3 asset and supports further data centre development as demand for power capacity continues to grow. Infrastructure work is already underway to connect the additional capacity to the site. Vanda 3 is a mixed-use site within Stockholm's established data centre cluster in Kista. Covering approximately 65,000m², it currently includes data centre, logistics, storage, and industrial space, with the unnamed global data centre operator occupying around 15,000m². Additional power supports future expansion The additional 30MW of capacity, secured through Ellevio, will enable the conversion of existing buildings for further data centre use, including space expected to become available in the future. It will also support additional development across the site. Barings is also seeking planning approval for a further 25,000m² of building rights in 2027, increasing the site's long-term development potential. Olli Forsman, Director, Transactions & Asset Management Nordics at Barings, comments, "The lease extension with the global data centre operator is a strong endorsement of Vanda 3's quality and long-term relevance as a data centre location. "Alongside this, securing additional power capacity is a pivotal milestone that significantly enhances the asset's ability to support further expansion. In a market where access to power remains a key constraint, this puts us in a strong position to support both existing and new operators looking to scale in Stockholm." Kristina Johnson, Senior Director, Nordics Asset Management at Barings, adds, "The combination of secured power, existing infrastructure, and development flexibility creates a compelling proposition for data centre operators and positions the asset well to capture future demand. "The Nordics is one of our preferred markets across a range of asset classes and capital profiles, and we will continue to explore all opportunities where we can create value on behalf of our partners."

Equinix, A2A to heat Milan via district heating

Equinix, a US global data centre and interconnection services provider, and A2A, Italy’s second-largest energy operator, have announced a partnership to recover waste heat from a data centre campus near Milan and use it to supply the city's district heating network. The project will recover heat generated by servers at Equinix's campus in Settimo Milanese and transfer it to a new energy centre developed by A2A. The recovered heat will then be used to provide heating across parts of Milan. Equinix will design and manage the system used to export heat from the campus, working with customers whose IT equipment generates the thermal energy. A2A's new energy centre will use four large-scale heat pumps with a combined capacity of 72MW, together with two thermal storage systems capable of storing 6,000m³ of water. The facility will connect to Milan's district heating network via dedicated heat transport infrastructure. Once fully operational, the project is expected to recover up to 225GWh of thermal energy each year. According to the companies, this will increase the amount of heat distributed through A2A's district heating network by around 20%, providing enough energy to heat more than 21,000 homes. The partners also estimate the scheme will avoid more than 345,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Heat recovery supports district heating expansion As part of the project, A2A will expand Milan's district heating network, enabling recovered heat from the data centre to be supplied across a wider area of the city, including the Duomo and Palazzo Reale, which are already connected to the network. Adaire Fox-Martin, CEO and President of Equinix, comments, "Equinix has a long and proud history of aligning the needs of our business with the needs of the communities we call home. "Our collaboration with A2A is a clear example of how essential digital infrastructure and local sustainability goals can work in service of each other. By putting thermal energy from our operations to use for local homes and residents, we're eliminating waste and moving Milan towards a low-carbon future." Emanuela Grandi, Managing Director of Equinix Italy, adds, "Excess heat is a by-product of the processing power required for digital transformation and AI, but when we redistribute it to the areas surrounding our data centres, we can create tremendous value for our communities while reducing the overall energy needed to heat the area. "We are very proud of the efforts and achievements Equinix has done in blazing a trail for data centre heat export in Europe and we're applying learnings from our successes to our efforts in Italy. "By scale, this initiative in Italy is expected to become among the largest data centre heat export projects in Europe outside the Nordics." Renato Mazzoncini, CEO of A2A, concludes, "Data centres are strategic infrastructure for the competitiveness of the country and for supporting the digital transformation of the economy. "Their growth requires models capable of combining technological innovation, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. From this perspective, heat recovery is a key lever for maximising the value of digital hubs and accelerating the decarbonisation of cities. "The collaboration with Equinix is fully aligned with our strategy to develop an integrated ecosystem where energy, infrastructure, and innovation operate synergistically." The companies say the partnership forms part of wider efforts to support the decarbonisation of urban energy systems through the reuse of waste heat generated by digital infrastructure. For more from Equinix, click here.

AI data centre capacity to surge from 2.3GW to 150GW

Structure Research, an independent research and consulting firm focused on the global internet infrastructure market, has announced the release of its new AI Infrastructure Report, finding that AI-focused data centre capacity is projected to jump from roughly 2.3 gigawatts (GW) today to 150GW by 2030, a 66-fold increase that will reshape where capital, power, and workloads concentrate globally. The AI Infrastructure Report provides a bottom-up view of who is funding, building, and consuming AI infrastructure worldwide, combining 14 company-level trackers with a 38-operator ‘neocloud’ and sovereign infrastructure rollup to map how capacity and capital will flow through 2030. Built from Structure Research's proprietary dataset, every forecast is constructed using a bottom-up methodology and validated through a conservation framework that reconciles infrastructure ownership with compute consumption, aiming to create a consistent view of where capacity, capital, and workloads ultimately concentrate. Jabez Tan, Head of Research at Structure Research, notes, "As AI infrastructure investment accelerates globally, there is increasing confusion around who is actually building capacity, who is financing it, and who ultimately consumes the compute being created. "This report was designed to cut through the noise and provide a single, reconciled view of the AI infrastructure ecosystem. By examining both the supply and demand sides of the market simultaneously, we can better understand where capital is flowing, where bottlenecks are emerging, and how the competitive landscape is evolving." Key findings from the report The AI Infrastructure Report provides a comprehensive view of the organisations funding, building, and consuming AI infrastructure and examines how the market will evolve through 2030. Key findings include: · Power availability is emerging as one of the primary constraints to continued AI infrastructure expansion. · The report distinguishes between organisations that own AI infrastructure and those that ultimately consume AI compute capacity, providing a reconciled view of supply and demand. · Infrastructure and commercial models vary significantly in their ability to convert capital into compute, with a 45x range across different approaches. · Microsoft, leading AI labs, neocloud providers, and sovereign AI initiatives are pursuing increasingly divergent infrastructure strategies that will shape future capacity demand. · The report evaluates the long-term outlook for neocloud providers, sovereign AI programs, and custom silicon as competition and market maturity continue to reshape the ecosystem. The AI Infrastructure Report is intended for hyperscalers, AI infrastructure providers, cloud platforms, data centre operators, investors, policymakers, and enterprise technology leaders seeking a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the future of AI infrastructure deployment.

VIRTUS expands Slough data centre campus

VIRTUS Data Centres, a UK data centre owner-operator and part of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), has announced plans to expand its presence at the Slough Trading Estate with a new AI-ready data centre that will provide 32.5MW of IT capacity, increasing the company's UK data centre estate to more than 300MW of operational and committed capacity. The new facility, known as LONDON19, is intended to provide additional capacity to meet growing demand for AI, cloud, and digital infrastructure. The data centre will incorporate advanced cooling systems, sustainable construction materials, and provision for the future export of waste heat for use within the local community. New facility planned for Slough campus Planning permission for LONDON19 has already been secured through the Slough Trading Estate Simplified Planning Zone. SEGRO will develop the powered shell, with construction expected to begin following design approval. The development will include a roof-level plant deck and is expected to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating. Once completed, LONDON19 will become the latest addition to VIRTUS's UK portfolio, bringing the company's operational and committed capacity to more than 300MW. Adam Eaton, CEO of VIRTUS Data Centres, says, "We are delighted to expand our Slough campus with the addition of LONDON19, further strengthening our ability to support customers seeking scalable, resilient, and sustainable data centre capacity in London's western corridor. "This development builds on our long-standing relationship with SEGRO and enables us to deliver critical power and IT capacity aligned with customer demand. "By embedding sustainability considerations from the outset, including provision for future waste heat utilisation, LONDON19 reflects our focus on delivering flexible, future-ready infrastructure that supports the UK's digital economy while minimising environmental impact." Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director of Data Centres and Strategic Partnerships at SEGRO, adds, "VIRTUS is one of Europe's leading data centre operators and we are pleased to be extending our long-standing relationship through the delivery of this new facility at the Slough Trading Estate. "The Trading Estate has been at the centre of the UK's data centre market for more than 20 years, and the scale of infrastructure, power availability, and planning certainty we have established there, alongside a strong focus on sustainability and positive engagement with the local community, continues to support customers like VIRTUS as they expand in a highly constrained environment." VIRTUS says it will continue its engagement with the local community as development progresses at the Slough Trading Estate. For more from VIRTUS, click here.

EdgeMode signs MOU for 300MW Toledo data centre

EdgeMode, a digital infrastructure company specialising in developing high-performance computing (HPC) data centres, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City Council of Mora to support the development of the planned 300MW DC Malpica data centre campus in Toledo, Spain. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two during the development of the site, which is intended to support artificial intelligence (AI), HPC, and cloud workloads. The MOU was signed by Mora Mayor Emilio Bravo Peña and EdgeMode CEO Charlie Faulkner during a ceremony at the municipality's plenary hall. EdgeMode says DC Malpica forms part of its eight-site portfolio in Spain, representing more than 4.35GW of planned capacity. The site is also located near Madrid, a major European hub for AI and digital infrastructure. In addition to this, earlier this year, the company announced plans to deploy solid oxide fuel cell microgrid technology to supply power to the campus. Agreement sets out development priorities Under the agreement, the City Council of Mora will provide institutional support for the project, coordinate with administrative departments, and support efforts to secure Project of Strategic Interest status for the development. EdgeMode says it will work to integrate the campus into the local economy, with priorities including employment, collaboration with regional businesses, and skills development initiatives. According to the company, the project could create up to 5,000 jobs during the construction phase. The planned campus will also incorporate energy-efficient and low-emission technologies as part of its sustainability strategy. Emilio Bravo Peña comments, "With this data centre project, we will be a leading town not just in Spain, but in Europe. Furthermore, I am sure that the magnet effect will work, and companies from other sectors - some of which are necessary for this project - will also come to Mora." Charlie Faulkner, CEO of EdgeMode, adds, "This agreement marks a critical milestone in the development of one of Europe's prime locations for data centre capacity and our collaboration with the City of Mora. "By establishing this institutional framework, we can navigate the development process efficiently while ensuring that DC Malpica delivers lasting economic value, high-quality employment, and technological advancement to the local community without compromising on environmental standards." The memorandum has an initial term of 24 months and outlines commitments to regulatory compliance, transparent communication, and cooperation throughout the development process.

1.5GW Utah data centre receives planning approval

Pronghorn Development, a Utah-headquartered infrastructure firm, has secured a conditional use permit (CUP) to develop the 1.5GW Antelope Data Campus in Iron County, Utah. The approval allows the infrastructure developer to move forward with plans for the large-scale data centre campus, which the company says is intended to support future technology infrastructure requirements while contributing to local economic development. According to Pronghorn Development, the project has been shaped through consultation with residents, landowners, agricultural stakeholders, and community representatives over the past year. The company says feedback gathered during the engagement process has influenced elements of the project's operational plans and development approach. Project expected to deliver jobs and investment Pronghorn Development states that the multi-phase development is expected to generate significant economic activity within Iron County, including construction employment, permanent operational roles, and additional tax revenue. The company has worked in the region for two decades through the development of energy infrastructure projects and says its local experience has informed the planning of the Antelope Data Campus. Scott Cuthbertson, a spokesperson for Pronghorn Development, comments, "Securing this permit validates the trust we’ve built with our neighbors in Iron County. We are incredibly grateful for the open dialogue and collaborative spirit that has shaped the Antelope Data Campus. "Moving forward, we remain committed to listening to the community, acting as responsible environmental stewards, and driving economic prosperity here for decades to come." The company says the campus will incorporate water-efficient technologies and sustainable design measures intended to minimise environmental impact and align with local ecosystem preservation objectives. With the conditional use permit now secured, Pronghorn Development is expected to begin the next phase of the project and prepare the site for construction.

Global cities launch sustainable data centre pact

Cities from around the world have launched the Global Urban Data Centres Pact, a new initiative aimed at supporting sustainable data centre development in urban areas. Announced during London Climate Action Week, the pact brings together 38 cities across six continents, including London, Barcelona, Johannesburg, Miami, Melbourne, Phoenix, and Rio de Janeiro. The founding signatories represent a combined population of almost 90 million people. The agreement comes as demand for data centres continues to grow, driven in part by the expansion of artificial intelligence and digital services. City leaders say the pact is intended to help balance economic growth with concerns around energy use, water consumption, heat generation, and pressure on local infrastructure. The initiative sets out a framework for how cities, developers, investors, and operators can work together to support data centre growth whilst addressing environmental and community considerations. Cities seek sustainable approach to data centre growth Under the pact, signatories support data centres that are strategically integrated into cities, resource efficient, engaged with local communities, and capable of delivering wider economic benefits. The agreement also highlights examples of measures already being adopted in different regions, including heat reuse projects, water-conscious cooling systems, the use of renewable energy, and initiatives that direct investment towards local priorities. Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix and Vice Chair of C40 Cities, says, "While data centres can power important advancements, rapid growth also brings important responsibilities. Residents expect local leaders to ensure development is planned carefully, infrastructure keeps pace, and surrounding communities share in the benefits." Nicholas Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne and Vice Chair of C40 Cities, adds, "Local communities should be involved in decisions that affect them, which means growth must be matched by responsible planning, sustainable resource use, and genuine community benefits." Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, notes, "AI and digital infrastructure will play a major role in the future prosperity of cities around the world, but residents are right to expect growth to be managed responsibly." Additional support for the initiative has come from cities including Athens, Chicago, and Seattle, whose leaders highlighted the importance of managing the impacts of data centre development on energy systems, water resources, land use, and local communities. Framework developed ahead of continued sector growth According to the pact's organisers, global data centre capacity is expected to increase significantly over the coming decade, with much of that growth concentrated in urban areas. The agreement calls for greater collaboration between local authorities, national governments, and the private sector to ensure future data centre developments align with sustainability goals and community needs. Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, concludes, "Data centres are not just buildings; they are major, long-term consumers of critical urban resources, and the decisions being made today about these AI factories will shape local energy systems, water supplies, and communities for decades to come." Further city endorsements are expected ahead of COP31, as the initiative seeks to establish a shared approach to sustainable urban data centre development.

Green Horizon secures approval for Norway data centre

Green Horizon, a Norwegian developer of hydropower-backed, AI-ready data centres, has received planning approval for Norway 1, a 36MW data centre development near Stavanger that is scheduled to enter service in the second half of 2027. The approval follows the earlier granting of zoning permission for the site and allows the Norwegian developer to progress to final design and construction. The company is currently working with consultants and contractors ahead of a planned construction start later this year. Located on Norway's southwest coast, Norway 1 is being developed as a carrier-neutral and cloud-neutral facility designed to provide connectivity to the UK, mainland Europe, and onward routes to North America. The facility will be built to Tier III standards and is designed to support high-density AI, GPU, and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. Green Horizon says the site will include two 'Meet-Me Rooms', diverse connectivity options, and access to multiple network providers. Norway 1 forms the first phase of the company's wider data centre platform in the Stavanger region, where 96MW of power capacity has been secured across three planned developments. The company says the facility will be powered by renewable hydropower and is targeting a power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.1 at full load. Heat reuse strategy integrated into design A key element of the project is its heat reuse strategy. Green Horizon plans to supply excess heat generated by the data centre to both a new greenhouse that will be integrated into the facility's design and an existing commercial greenhouse located adjacent to the site. According to the company, the new greenhouse will be constructed directly above the data centre, enabling waste heat to be reused as part of a wider symbiosis partnership with Norway's largest greenhouse operator. The concept has been technically validated and approved by the local municipality. Operations at the site will be supported by CBRE, which will provide operational services and monitoring. Richard Rettedal, CEO of Green Horizon, comments, "Securing planning approval for Norway 1 marks a major milestone for Green Horizon and for our ambition to build Norway’s AI data centre platform. "Customers deploying AI and high-performance compute need dependable capacity, resilience, and a clear route to scale. Norway 1 is designed to deliver high-density infrastructure powered by renewable hydropower, with heat reuse enabled by design, supporting both lower-cost operation and a lower operational footprint. "We’re proud that this project will contribute to the local community and bring new, renewable powered capacity to the market." The €300 million (£259 million) development is expected to create around 400 construction jobs during the build phase and contribute additional renewable-powered data centre capacity to Norway's digital infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin later in 2026, with the facility targeted to become operational in the second half of 2027.

Nebius selects Kao Data for UK AI deployment

Dutch AI cloud company Nebius has signed a 10-year agreement with Kao Data, a data centre developer and operator, to deploy 22MW of AI infrastructure at the company's data centre campus in Harlow, Essex. The deployment will support AI cloud services in the UK and forms part of Nebius's wider expansion plans, including a recently announced £1.7 billion investment in UK AI infrastructure. Nebius will host its AI cloud platform and Nebius Token Factory inference service at Kao Data's Harlow campus, which has been designed to support AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. According to the companies, the agreement will provide additional computing capacity for organisations across the UK's research, academic, and enterprise sectors, while supporting the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan. Spencer Lamb, CEO of Kao Data, says, "Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Kao Data portfolio and a landmark moment in the UK’s AI ambitions. "Nebius is an impressive global AI cloud operator, and we are delighted to welcome such a significant deployment into our Harlow data centre campus. "This partnership proves that despite challenging macroeconomic circumstances, demand for industrial-scale, UK-based, cutting-edge AI remains high, with Kao Data the perfect platform for the latest AI workloads." Expansion of UK AI computing capacity Nebius provides cloud infrastructure designed for AI model training, deployment, and inference. Part of the new capacity at Harlow will support Nebius Token Factory, the company's inference platform for deploying and managing open AI models at scale. Andrey Korolenko, Chief Product and Infrastructure Officer at Nebius, comments, "We’re pleased to be continuing our expansion in the UK with Kao Data. "The UK is a major destination for AI and is becoming an important part of Nebius’s global footprint. By bringing dedicated capacity to support inference workloads, we can enable UK AI builders and enterprises to achieve their AI goals." Kao Data says the Harlow campus is powered by renewable energy and supported by HVO-powered backup generators. Its KLON-03 facility also incorporates direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology designed to support high-density AI infrastructure while reducing water consumption. The company states that the site already hosts a large concentration of AI, academic research, and life sciences computing workloads. It adds that the Nebius deployment is expected to further strengthen Harlow's position as a centre for AI infrastructure in the UK, as demand for GPU-accelerated computing continues to grow. Kao Data is also reportedly progressing planned facilities in Park Royal, West London, and Greater Manchester. For more from Kao Data, click here.

atNorth expands to Norway with new 'mega site'

atNorth, a Nordic high-density data centre provider, has announced its expansion into Norway through the acquisition of land for a new data centre campus in Haugaland. The site will become home to NOR01, a planned data centre designed to support high-density computing workloads and hyperscale deployments. The development marks atNorth's first presence in Norway and extends the company's footprint across all Nordic countries. Located within Haugaland Business Park, the 36-hectare site is expected to deliver 120MW during its initial phases, with capacity ultimately increasing to 350MW. Power availability is projected for 2028 and will be supported by two new substations: one will be developed by Norway's transmission system operator, Statnett, and the second by regional grid provider Fagne. According to atNorth, the company is also exploring opportunities to reuse excess heat generated by the facility in partnership with organisations based within the business park. Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, CEO of atNorth, says, "Expanding to Norway has been a long-term strategic priority for us, and we’re proud to officially mark our presence across all the Nordic countries with the announcement of NOR01. "Haugaland Business Park is a strong industrial region that offers the ideal combination of renewable energy, excellent connectivity, and a naturally cool climate, making it a highly attractive location for future-focused, AI workloads. "We look forward to collaborating with the local community to deliver world-class digital infrastructure in a responsible way." Haugaland selected for power and connectivity Norway has become an increasingly popular location for large-scale data centre developments due to its renewable energy resources, stable operating environment, and connectivity to European markets. The country's climate also supports more efficient cooling strategies, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems. Monika Lindanger, Mayor of Tysvær Municipality, suggests, "This project will not only bring in new investment and innovation to the region, but will also support our local community through training and employment opportunities, our economy via sustainable industry development, and our circular economy with beneficial heat reuse partnerships. "We’re proud to be part of this next chapter in the Nordic data centre evolution." The announcement follows atNorth's plans for a new large-scale data centre campus in Sollefteå, Sweden, as well as recent expansions at facilities in Iceland and developments in Sweden and Finland. For more from atNorth, click here.