Insights into Data Centre Investment & Market Growth

AMD commits £2bn to UK AI infrastructure

AMD, an American multinational semiconductor company, has announced plans to invest up to £2 billion in the UK over the next five years to support computing infrastructure, AI research, and technology development. The investment, announced during London Tech Week, includes collaborations with government, academia, and industry aimed at expanding access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources and supporting the UK's AI ambitions. AMD says the initiative aligns with the Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan and AI Hardware Strategy, which seek to strengthen the country's AI infrastructure, skills base, and adoption of AI technologies. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD, explains, "The United Kingdom has the talent, research excellence, and ambition to help lead the next era of AI. "AMD is proud to deepen our commitment to the UK and work with partners across government, academia, and industry to expand access to the compute infrastructure needed to advance sovereign AI, accelerate discovery, and drive long-term economic growth." The announcement was welcomed by government ministers, who highlighted the potential impact on AI research, skills development, and economic growth. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, says, "This investment is a major vote of confidence in Britain’s place as a global AI superpower. We’ve got the talent, the world-class universities, and the ambition to lead, and partnerships like this help turn that potential into real progress. "It will drive more cutting-edge research here in the UK, open up opportunities for people to build the skills they need for the jobs of the future, and speed up breakthroughs that can improve people’s lives and grow our economy." New partnerships to support AI research As part of the investment programme, AMD has announced a collaboration with Imperial College London focused on computational science and research areas that require large-scale computing resources, including healthcare and climate modelling. The organisations also plan to explore ways to optimise AI models, scientific workflows, and data-intensive applications using AMD hardware and its ROCm software platform. AMD is also working with Oriole Networks as part of the UK Advanced Research and Invention Agency's (ARIA) Scaling Inference Lab initiative. The project will combine Oriole's photonic networking technology with AMD GPUs and processors to investigate new approaches for scaling AI inference workloads while improving performance and energy efficiency. According to AMD, the initiative could contribute to the development of what is expected to be the world's first large-scale AI system built on a pure photonic network. Expanding UK AI supercomputing capacity AMD and Dell Technologies are also supporting the University of Cambridge's growing AI infrastructure programme, including the Zenith AI supercomputer and the Sunrise fusion AI system being developed with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). Zenith is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UK Research and Innovation, while Sunrise is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and will support fusion energy research. The systems will be used across a range of 'AI-for-science' applications, including healthcare research, climate modelling, materials science, engineering simulation, fusion research, and AI model development. Liz Kendall, Technology Secretary, says, "This investment reflects the strength of Britain’s talent, research, and ambition in AI, but also the infrastructure we are putting in place to match it. "With world-class chip designers, leading universities, and partners such as AMD choosing to invest here, we are building the compute capability needed to power innovation, drive growth, create jobs, and ensure the most advanced AI technologies are developed in the UK." AMD says it will continue working with partners across government, academia, and industry to expand computing capacity and support future scientific and technological research in the UK. For more from AMD, click here.

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.

Bergen Engines signs 750MW data centre deal

Bergen Engines, a Norwegian manufacturer of medium-speed gas and dual-fuel engines, has signed an agreement with Crusoe to provide up to 750MW of power generation capacity for AI data centre developments in the United States. The agreement comprises a 438MW contract and a further 310MW letter of intent, supporting Crusoe's expanding portfolio of AI infrastructure projects. Crusoe develops large-scale AI data centre campuses using a combination of grid power, natural gas generation, renewable energy, and battery storage. The company deploys both grid-connected and behind-the-meter power infrastructure to support the high energy demands of AI workloads. John Adams, Senior Vice President of Power at Crusoe, says, "The pace of AI infrastructure development demands builders who treat power as a first-class AI infrastructure layer. "Bergen’s gensets give us the reliable baseload power we need to energise large-scale campuses, deployable on our timeline. We’re building AI factories at record speed, and this agreement helps us maintain that pace." Under the initial contract, Bergen Engines will supply 27 gas-powered generating sets rated at 12.5MWe and 20 units rated at 5MWe. Additional units are included within the letter of intent, with deliveries planned across multiple US locations through 2027. On-site generation supports growing AI power demand The generators are intended to provide continuous baseload power for AI data centres operating around the clock. The systems will incorporate alternators from Marelli Motori and dynamic power stabilisation technology from Piller Power Systems. According to the companies, the technology is designed to manage rapid fluctuations in electricity demand associated with computing-intensive workloads. Dean Richards, CEO of Piller Power Systems, says, "AI workloads have a distinct power profile that demands purpose-built generation and stabilisation technology. "SHIELD-X is designed to manage those dynamics, protecting the generation assets and maintaining stable plant operation while ensuring consistent power quality for the data centre." As AI infrastructure capacity expands, developers are increasingly turning to on-site and behind-the-meter power generation where grid connections are unavailable or unable to support required capacity within project timescales. Theo Lorentzos, Vice President of Sales for Bergen Engines Americas, notes, "The pace of AI infrastructure development is unlike anything the power generation industry has seen before. "In this market, access to power determines how fast you can scale. Crusoe’s model is built around speed and stable power, and our solution is designed to deliver both." The agreement forms part of a wider trend towards dedicated power infrastructure for AI data centres, enabling developers to accelerate deployments while reducing reliance on traditional utility connection timelines. For more from Bergen Engines, click here.

Kao Data appoints new CEO

Kao Data, a data centre developer and operator, has appointed Spencer Lamb as Chief Executive Officer as the company continues expanding its AI-focused data centre platform across the UK. Spencer Lamb, who joined Kao Data in January 2020, previously served as Managing Director and Chief Commercial Officer. He will now oversee day-to-day operations and growth strategy alongside founder and Executive Chairman David Bloom. According to the company, Spencer will focus on the development of Kao Data’s AI-ready data centre capacity and support the continued growth of its UK facilities. David Bloom will remain Executive Chairman, concentrating on long-term strategy, financing, partnerships, and engagement with government around AI infrastructure and energy development. During his time at Kao Data, Spencer has led the company’s commercial strategy and supported the expansion of its portfolio across Harlow, Slough, Northolt, Park Royal, Greater Manchester, and additional sites under development. The company says he has also played a key role in developing the Harlow campus as a location for high-performance computing, AI workloads, scientific research, and life sciences computing. A leadership change to support AI infrastructure growth Kao Data says the leadership structure is intended to support the company’s next phase of growth as demand for AI and high-density computing infrastructure increases. Spencer comments, “I have loved my time at Kao Data, and I am excited to step up and lead the company as its CEO. “I am looking forward to ensuring Kao Data continues to play a strong and defining role in the UK’s AI infrastructure story, and that we keep delivering for our customers, our people, and the communities we operate in.” David Bloom, Executive Chairman at Kao Data, adds, “Spencer’s appointment formalises what has been an increasingly natural evolution in how we lead this business. “As CEO, Spencer will drive Kao Data’s operations and day-to-day growth strategy, while I remain directly focused on the strategic priorities that will shape our next chapter: major financing, capital partnerships, M&A, and our ongoing engagement with government on the UK’s AI infrastructure agenda.” Spencer Lamb’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer is effective immediately. For more from Kao Data, click here.

Pure DC secures $2.7bn AI data centre funding

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has secured $2.7 billion (£2 billion) in financing to support the expansion of its AI and hyperscale data centre infrastructure across Europe and the Middle East. The financing package includes a $2.15 billion (£1.5 billion) facility secured against the company’s campuses in Dublin and Amsterdam, alongside an increase in its corporate financing facility to $550 million (£408 million). The expanded financing structure includes support from financial institutions including SMBC, ABN AMRO, and Allianz Global Investors. According to Pure DC, the $2.15 billion (£1.5 billion) facility was syndicated within three months and will support continued development at its Dublin and Amsterdam sites. Construction is currently underway at the Amsterdam campus, which is fully leased. The company notes its Dublin campus recently became Europe’s first carbon net zero data centre microgrid. Located in the Ballycoolin area, the campus is designed to provide up to 150MW of IT capacity, with 54MW currently permitted. Expansion plans across FLAP-D and the Middle East Pure DC says the increase in its corporate financing facility will support investment in new FLAP-D sites and AI-focused data centre campuses across the region. The company states that the funding structure is intended to provide greater flexibility when securing sites and progressing future developments. The business is also targeting further expansion in the Middle East, which it identifies as a growth market for AI and hyperscale infrastructure over the coming decade. Gary Wojtaszek, Executive Chairman and interim CEO of Pure DC, comments, “Pure DC is rapidly positioning itself at the centre of Europe and the Middle East’s AI transformation, leveraging one of the region’s fastest-growing FLAP-D hyperscale platforms to deliver the next generation of AI inferencing infrastructure. “The support we’re seeing from leading global financial institutions reflects that. This funding demonstrates strong market confidence in Pure’s leadership team and strategy.” Mike Schwartz, Chief Financial Officer at Pure DC, adds, “Over the past 12 months, we have materially strengthened and diversified our financing platform, bringing in high-quality institutional partners and increasing available capital. “The successful syndication of the $2.15 billion facility and the expansion of our corporate facility demonstrate both the depth of market demand and the confidence lenders have in our assets, structure, and strategy. “Importantly, the combination of asset-level and corporate-level financing gives us the flexibility to accelerate investment across the business and act decisively as new opportunities arise.” For more from Pure DC, click here.

Bergen secures 500+ MW of orders from Liberty Energy

Bergen Engines, a Norwegian manufacturer of medium-speed gas and dual-fuel engines, has secured an order from Liberty Energy for more than 500MW of onsite power generation capacity to support AI data centre developments in the United States. The projects will use gas-powered generation systems capable of operating both independently from the grid and in parallel with utility infrastructure, supporting high-density AI computing environments. The developments are being delivered through Liberty Energy’s Liberty Power Innovations division, which focuses on distributed power infrastructure for AI-era data centres. Under the agreement, Bergen Engines will supply 45 gas generator sets, each rated at 11.2MWe, providing a combined installed capacity exceeding 500MW. The infrastructure combines Bergen Engines’ medium-speed engines with alternators from Marelli Motori and SHIELDX dynamic power stabilisation technology from Piller Power Systems. Power stability for AI workloads According to the companies, the SHIELDX platform is designed to manage rapid fluctuations in AI-related power demand by stabilising short-duration load variations. The flywheel-based system is intended to help maintain stable power delivery while reducing the need for oversized generation infrastructure. Ron Gusek, CEO of Liberty Energy, says, “AI data centres are fundamentally changing how power infrastructure can be designed and deployed, and this initial order with Bergen Engines reflects a shared commitment to providing reliable, high-efficiency power solutions to support critical data centre infrastructure growth. “Collaborating with Bergen Engines strengthens our power platform, serving as an important component of our broader integrated solution that includes LPI’s Forte modular power generation architecture and Tempo power quality system. "Together, we will be able to deliver essential power generation infrastructure to support the demanding requirements of next-generation computing.” Theo Lorentzos, Vice President Sales Americas at Bergen Engines, adds, “These environments require robust baseload generation and the ability to respond to rapid and significant load fluctuations. "By working in partnership with Liberty and integrating SHIELDX, we are delivering a solution that combines proven generation performance with the flexibility required for AI-driven demand profiles.” Dean Richards, CEO of Piller Power Systems, comments, “SHIELDX protects the generation assets from highly dynamic, sub-second load behaviour, enabling stable plant operation under extreme load fluctuations. This ensures optimal engine performance while delivering consistent, high-quality power to the data centre.” Deliveries for the projects are scheduled to begin during the second half of 2027.

Socomec expands North American manufacturing

Socomec, a manufacturer of low voltage power management systems, has opened two new manufacturing facilities in North America to support growing demand from the data centre sector. The new sites, located in Suwanee, Georgia, near Atlanta, and Brampton, Ontario, near Toronto, form part of the company’s strategy to expand regional production capacity for power infrastructure equipment. According to Socomec, the facilities will support the manufacture of UPS systems, static transfer switches, transformers, and power distribution units for data centre operators across North America. The company says the data centre sector is now its largest and fastest-growing market segment globally, driven by increasing AI-related infrastructure demand. New facilities target data centre growth The Suwanee site spans 194,000ft² (18,023m²) and will manufacture UPS systems and static transfer switches. Socomec expects the facility to reach full production capacity in early 2027 and employ around 300 staff. Meanwhile, the Brampton facility covers more than 150,000ft² (13,935m²) and will focus on transformers and power distribution units. The site currently employs 170 people. Socomec says local manufacturing will help improve lead times, support compliance with North American regulatory standards, and strengthen supply chain resilience for regional customers. The company also confirmed that a dedicated North American development team has been established to support customer requirements within the data centre market. Ivan Steyert, CEO of Socomec Group, says, “Manufacturing where we sell is a decisive advantage in the current geopolitical context. "Our two new sites will significantly increase Socomec’s ability to serve North American data centre operators, ensuring a consistent level of quality, reduced lead times, and improved industrial agility, while allowing us to remain close to our customers.” Michele Putignano, CEO of North America at Socomec, adds, “In a demanding and highly regulated North American market, our ambition is to build sustainable local expertise, offer ever more innovative solutions, and strengthen our position as the leader in power conversion for data centres and other critical infrastructures. “The region is now a strategic driver for Socomec, having seen annual growth rates of over 20% in five consecutive years.” Socomec currently employs around 750 people across the US and Canada. For more from Socomec, click here.

Andalusia greenlights €1.26bn campus at Málaga TechPark

The Andalusian regional government in southern Spain has formally declared a major new data centre development a "project of strategic interest", clearing the path for a €1.257 billion (£1 billion) facility to be built within the expansion zone of Málaga TechPark. The announcement was made on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, following a meeting of the Consejo de Gobierno, the regional cabinet of the Junta de Andalucía. The project is being promoted by Saltburn Holding, a company linked to brothers Rafael and José Benjumea Benjumea - grandsons of the founder of the Abengoa industrial group - and headquartered in Madrid. The Benjumea brothers have also been active in other digital infrastructure ventures, including Aquilon Project Iberia and CSM Holding, positioning them as increasingly significant players in Spain's fast-growing data centre sector. Facility specifications The proposed campus will occupy a 71,415m² plot within the SUS CA-23 sector of Málaga TechPark's expansion area, in the Campanillas district on the city's western fringe. The facility is designed to meet Tier III / Tier III+ reliability standards and will deliver an IT power capacity of 100 MW, with a total electrical draw of 150 MW, placing it firmly in the hyperscale-adjacent category. Intended workloads span data storage and processing, artificial intelligence inference and training, cloud services, and digital connectivity infrastructure. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2027, with the strategic interest declaration valid through to 31 December 2031, providing a regulatory framework to cover the full development and early operational phases. The development is projected to create 710 direct jobs during the construction phase, with a further 254 permanent positions once the facility enters operation. Given typical multiplier effects for large-scale infrastructure projects, the indirect employment and supply-chain impact on the wider Málaga economy is expected to be substantially higher. The declaration of strategic interest falls under Decreto-ley 4/2019, Andalusia's framework for administrative simplification and the promotion of strategic economic initiatives. It activates the regional government's Unidad Aceleradora de Proyectos (UAP - Project Acceleration Unit), designed to streamline permitting and reduce the bureaucratic timeline for large-scale investments. The project file has received favourable assessments from the departments responsible for industry, territorial planning, environmental sustainability, agriculture, culture, and public health, alongside a technical endorsement from the UAP itself. Málaga as a digital hub in southern Europe The Málaga TechPark - also known as the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (PTA) - has been the anchor of the city's technology economy since opening in 1992. Today, it hosts more than 650 companies across ICT, cybersecurity, fintech, and research and development, employing over 20,000 people and contributing around €4.8 billion (£4.1 billion) to Andalusia's GDP. International tenants include Google, Agilent Technologies, and TDK, among others. The Saltburn Holding campus would be the second major data centre to be announced in Andalusia in quick succession. Construction is already under way on Sierra DC's macrocentre in Escúzar, Granada - a project backed by Swedish capital with an investment approaching €1 billion (£865 million) - signalling that the region is beginning to attract the kind of hyperscale-scale commitments that have so far concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona, and the Iberian Atlantic coast. However, despite the scale of investor interest, electrical grid constraints remain a structural challenge for Andalusia's data centre ambitions. Regional President Juanma Moreno has publicly acknowledged delays to at least one technology project in Málaga due to grid connection difficulties and insufficient power supply. Industry analysts note that the region's grid infrastructure has been deprioritised in negotiations between the Junta and the central government over Spain's new energy planning framework, with data centres placed at the bottom of the list of infrastructure requests. For the Saltburn Holding project, a planned electrical consumption of 150 MW makes grid access a critical dependency. How quickly those connections can be secured will likely determine whether the 2027 construction start holds.

BCS Consultancy expands into Southern Europe

BCS Consultancy, a global data centre consultancy, has expanded its presence in Southern Europe through two senior appointments and a new data centre project in Barcelona. As part of this move, the company has appointed Alberto Modrego Eisman and Rhoana Zanotelli as Senior Consultants to support growth across the Iberian market. According to BCS, the appointments strengthen its ability to support clients across the data centre development lifecycle in Spain and wider Southern Europe. Alberto Modrego Eisman joins the company with experience in cost management and large-scale developments across Spain and the EMEA region, including previous roles at JLL. Rhoana Zanotelli previously held senior infrastructure and development roles at Goodman, where she worked on data centre projects across Europe. The Iberian market and a Barcelona data centre project BCS has also secured a data centre development project in Barcelona as part of a wider urban digital infrastructure scheme in the region. The company says it will support the project through key delivery phases as demand for data centre capacity continues to increase across Southern Europe. According to BCS Consultancy’s Q1 Data Centre Commercial Report, the Spanish market has recently moved to a competitive grid access framework using capacity auctions across constrained power nodes in locations including Madrid, Aragón, and Andalusia. The report states that the model prioritises operational readiness and accelerated delivery times for new infrastructure developments. BCS says the Iberian Peninsula continues to attract data centre investment due to lower land costs, renewable energy availability, and the ability to support large-scale AI and GPU-focused facilities. Chris Coward, COO at BCS Consultancy, comments, “Iberia is rapidly becoming one of the most important growth markets for data centre development in Europe. As constraints intensify in traditional hubs, our clients are looking to new regions to scale. "Expanding our presence in Southern Europe allows us to combine local expertise with our pan-European delivery capability, giving clients the clarity and confidence they need to execute complex projects in these emerging markets.” For more from BCS Consultancy, click here.

NEOIX, Hitachi partner on hyperscale data centres

NEOIX, a London-based data centre developer, has signed a memorandum of understanding with energy infrastructure provider Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Vantara, its digital infrastructure arm, to collaborate on the development of AI-ready hyperscale data centres in selected global markets. The agreement combines NEOIX’s data centre development and sustainability experience with infrastructure and digital platform technologies from Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Vantara. According to the companies, the collaboration will focus on developing large-scale data centre campuses designed to support AI, cloud computing, and high-performance workloads. Under the agreement, NEOIX will lead hyperscale campus development, including site design, scalability, and sustainability planning. Hitachi Energy will support work related to grid connectivity, renewable energy integration, energy storage, and power infrastructure, while Hitachi Vantara will provide digital infrastructure platforms and storage technologies for operational and business applications. AI infrastructure and energy efficiency Hari Slipicevic, CEO of NEOIX, says, “This partnership with Hitachi represents a powerful alignment of capabilities across energy, digital infrastructure, and development. “At NEOIX, we are focused on building the next generation of AI-ready data centre campuses, designed from the outset to be scalable, sustainable, and deeply integrated with the energy system.” Antonio Marinoni, Senior Business Development Director at Hitachi EMEA Region, adds, “By combining the strengths of Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Vantara, we are pleased to support NEOIX in enabling high-performance, sustainable infrastructure for the AI era. “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to integrating energy and digital innovation, ensuring that next-generation data centres are not only scalable and resilient, but also aligned with the global transition towards low-carbon infrastructure.” The companies state that the collaboration will initially focus on concept development, reference architectures, and market engagement activities ahead of potential future project delivery. For more from Hitachi, click here.