Data Centre Regulations & UK Compliance Updates

'UK cannot delay action on power and infrastructure'

The UK must take urgent action to fix systemic issues in energy and infrastructure to sustain its ambition to lead the global digital economy and become an AI superpower, according to a new report published by trade association techUK. The report, Powering Digital Infrastructure, warns that while demand for data centres and compute infrastructure is accelerating rapidly - driven by AI, cloud, and edge computing - the UK’s energy system is struggling to keep pace. Without reform, rising electricity costs, grid connection delays, and fragmented policy could force investment overseas, undermining economic growth, innovation, and national resilience. The current problems Data centres are now critical national infrastructure (CNI), underpinning everything from financial services and healthcare to research, manufacturing, and public services, all while supporting the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and decarbonised heat. techUK's 2024 report highlights that the UK data centre sector already contributes billions to the economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs, with the potential to add an additional £44 billion in Gross Value Added between 2025 and 2035, if growth accelerates. The UK aims to triple compute capacity to around 6GW by 2030; however, this is colliding with structural constraints. Electricity prices for UK data centres are among the highest in the developed world - roughly four times those in the United States and about 46% above the median of 31 International Energy Agency (IEA) countries - while grid connection delays of up to eight years are becoming commonplace. As a result, techUK’s report identifies several interconnected risks for the UK if the situation remains unchanged, including loss of global competitiveness, grid bottlenecks and delays, and risks to the country's energy security and resilience, which could be compounded by growing geopolitical shocks and tensions. If left unaddressed, the report warns that the UK will struggle to meet its ambition of being an “AI maker”, weakening sovereignty and long-term economic control. The proposed solutions The report sets out a clear programme of solutions to minimise these risks: • Reform the grid connections process to prioritise committed, non-speculative projects; provide greater transparency over the queue; and offer phased connection agreements that reflect how data centres are actually built. • Reduce electricity costs for digital infrastructure through levy reform, targeted exemptions, and improved access to long-term power contracts, restoring international competitiveness. • Accelerate planning and delivery by enabling nationally significant data centre projects to move faster through the planning system and clarifying eligibility for prioritisation schemes. • Unlock private investment in networks by allowing the private sector to help build and finance grid infrastructure where it can reduce delays and costs. • Align digital growth with clean power by supporting renewable PPAs, co-location with generation, energy storage, and, where appropriate, nuclear and small modular reactors (SMRs). • Maximise local benefits by embedding data centres into regional growth strategies, supporting skills development, waste-heat reuse, and supply-chain expansion. Data centres can be part of the solution, acting as anchor customers for new renewable generation, supporting grid investment, and helping spread fixed system costs across a larger base of electricity demand. Matthew Evans, COO and Director of Markets for techUK, says, “Economic growth is directly linked to power and our country’s ability to digitise. If the UK is serious about unlocking economic growth, it needs to move decisively to fix energy costs, grid access, and regulatory fragmentation. "The results will unlock new cycles of investment and support the country’s decarbonisation efforts, as well as both national and regional growth. If we don’t, the UK risks falling behind at the very moment global competition is accelerating.”

UK parliamentarians launch Data Centres APPG

MPs and peers have launched a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) focused on data centres, examining the sector’s role in economic growth, digital infrastructure resilience, and net zero targets. The cross-party group is chaired by Chris Curtis MP, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North and Chair of the Labour Growth Group. Other officers include: • Lewis Cocking MP, Conservative MP for Broxbourne (as co-chair)• Alison Griffiths MP, Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton• Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, former Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero The APPG aims to improve parliamentary understanding of data centre development across the UK, review challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and produce evidence-based policy recommendations. The group will examine areas including infrastructure delivery, planning considerations, and energy demand linked to sector growth. The APPG has opened a formal call for evidence, inviting contributions from across the digital infrastructure ecosystem. Submissions will help shape the group’s Terms of Reference and define its areas of focus for 2026. Stakeholders invited to contribute include data centre operators and developers, energy suppliers, network operators, water providers, investors, consultancy organisations, local authorities, technology providers, trade associations, environmental groups, and academic institutions. Consultation launched to gather industry evidence Chris Curtis MP, Chair of the Data Centres APPG, notes, “Data centres are a vital part of the UK’s digital economy, and it is essential that we remain an attractive destination for the investment that drives growth and creates high-skilled jobs. "As Chair of the APPG, I want to ensure Parliament has the evidence and understanding it needs to shape a balanced approach: one that supports development, delivers real economic benefits, and works for local communities, while recognising wider considerations. "Getting this right will be critical to securing the UK’s long-term digital future.” Lewis Cocking MP, Co-Chair of the Data Centres APPG, adds, “Data centre development must work for the communities that host them. Google's £1 billion investment at Waltham Cross is a clear sign of Broxbourne's growing importance as a hub for technology and innovation, and we must ensure this growth delivers genuine benefits for local people. "This new APPG will focus on ensuring that local voices are heard in planning processes, that developments deliver tangible benefits (such as local jobs and waste heat utilisation), and that the highest environmental standards are met. "Local residents need to have a real say in projects like these. We'll work to ensure developments like Google's enhance Broxbourne and other local areas while meeting our environmental commitments.” Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, Officer of the Data Centres APPG, says, “As a former Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, I've seen firsthand how critical it is to align infrastructure growth with our climate commitments. "Data centres are major energy users, but they're also driving innovation in renewable energy procurement and efficiency. "This APPG will focus on ensuring their growth supports our net zero ambitions, exploring how these facilities can contribute to clean energy infrastructure, utilise waste heat, and support grid modernisation. "With the right policy framework, we can build the digital capacity our economy needs while advancing our environmental goals. Data centres shouldn't be seen as a challenge to net zero, but as part of the solution.”

FTTH Council Europe welcomes the DNA

The FTTH Council Europe, a European industry association promoting fibre-optic broadband deployment across Europe, has said it welcomes the Digital Networks Act, as put forward by the European Commission. The mission of the FTTH Council Europe is to see the widespread availability and use of FTTH (Fibre to the Home) in Europe as quickly as possible. It therefore maintains that it is important to ensure that the regulatory framework incentivises investment and fosters effective competition, adding that that these two objectives must remain at the core of any access policy. The FTTH Council Europe positively welcomes the proposal for the switch-off of copper networks. The process, it claims, strikes the right balance between the need to incentivise the take-up of future-proof networks, the necessity to consider national specificities, and avoiding unintended consequences for consumers. The association says it is convinced that copper switch-off is an important driver for investments and that it will positively contribute to the competitiveness of the EU, supporting the digital transition and the enhancement of the Single Market. Therefore, it invites the co-legislators to support the European Commission approach on this topic. The FTTH Council Europe further considers that the current regulatory framework has delivered positive outcomes. It believes maintaining the SMP process in the proposed DNA is central to preserving competition and demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to a stable and predictable regulatory environment, something critical to supporting investors and enabling the continued development of sustainable competition. The Council also notes the proposed harmonised access products but believes that any remedies should start by being tailored to the specific realities of national and market contexts, which can vary significantly between countries and market segments. National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), it propounds, are best positioned to define, where necessary, appropriate SMP obligations that reflect the unique characteristics of their markets. The FTTH Council Europe also acknowledges the provisions on security and resilience in the DNA that recognise the critical importance of communications infrastructure. However, the body invites the co-legislators to make clear that any obligation that may arise should be adequately supported by national and European resources in the next MFF and not create excessive burdens for a sector that is investing heavily in the achievement of the Digital Decade targets. There are other aspects that need refinement, according to the FTTH Council Europe, and there are certain issues where it believes a different approach should be taken, not least regarding the availability of licence-free spectrum for RLAN. The FTTH Council Europe says it looks forward to working constructively with co-legislators to share its insights and experience in refining this proposal.

UK Chancellor urged to use AI for economic growth

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to use the opportunity afforded by AI to ‘Make Britain Great Again’. The news comes as the Government announced that thousands of new AI jobs and billions of pounds of investment will be poured into the next parliament to help stimulate economic growth. New AI Growth Zones Amongst the package of measures proposed for the budget today include a new AI Growth Zone in South Wales, which will create more than 5,000 new jobs for local communities over the next decade, and a further £137 million to support key scientists to drive breakthroughs and develop new drugs, cures, and treatments. Patrick Sullivan, CEO of think tank Parliament Street, argued that with limited options at the budget, only AI can ‘Make Britain Great Again’. He claims, “With limited options due to Labour’s absurd manifesto pledge to rule out income tax rises, the Chancellor is now forced to cobble together a quick fix solution to fill a black hole which is entirely of her own making. "However, the one saving grace is the advent of mass AI adoption, a technology that will bring mass savings at a time when the Government needs it most. “This is Labour’s chance to show that it gets private enterprise and recognises that by supporting tech talent, AI can truly Make Britain Great Again.” Tech expert Graeme Stewart, Head of Public Sector at Check Point Software, says, “The case for investing billions in AI to drive growth and reboot the economy is clear, yet little has been said about the cyber and regulatory risks associated with mass adoption. “Whether it’s attacks on the NHS, nurseries, or local councils, cyber criminals have already proven that nothing in the public sector is off limits. That’s why it’s vital the Chancellor’s AI rollout is backed up with a robust action plan for protecting critical national infrastructure and minimising cyber risk. "We also need to hear more about the Government’s plans to protect the public and private sector from the new wave of AI-enabled cyber-attacks, which require a cohesive national strategy.” Graeme continues, “Mastering AI to drive growth is the right thing to do, but this approach must always go hand-in-hand with the necessary cyber strategy, to ensure the government stays one step ahead of the increasingly lethal cyber threat.” Kenny MacAulay, CEO of Acting Office, a software platform for accounting practices, adds, “With businesses still reeling from the £25 billion National Insurance increase, the Chancellor has a tough task ahead to win the back trust from the private sector. "Proposals for a nationwide AI rollout and investment in infrastructure can help kickstart economic growth, but only alongside a clear action plan to get businesses hiring again. “The industry needs to embrace the opportunities that AI can bring, in terms of centralising technology investment and improving customer service.”

Industry reacts as EU Data Act comes into force

The EU Data Act officially comes into effect today, ushering in a new regulatory framework that aims to give users greater rights over their data while imposing fresh obligations on businesses around access, sharing, and cloud portability. The legislation seeks to improve transparency, promote fair competition, and create a more open data economy across Europe. However, industry reactions remain mixed, with some hailing the Act as a positive step forward and others warning of challenges with its implementation. A call for resilience and flexibility Tim Pfaelzer, Senior Vice President and General Manager EMEA at Veeam, says the Act arrives at a critical moment for organisations already navigating complex hybrid environments: “Many organisations have embraced hybrid models for their flexibility, but often at the expense of data portability. "The Act highlights why flexibility must be embedded into operations from the ground up. Proactive action now will not only support compliance, but also become a competitive advantage as data sovereignty and portability grow increasingly central to digital operations.” An opportunity for trust and openness Juliet Bramwell, Vice President EMEA at Glean, emphasises the Act’s potential to rebalance the data economy: “By giving users greater access to their own data and removing barriers to switching providers, the Act shifts power back to businesses and consumers. "Data sovereignty and interoperability are no longer optional; companies that embrace these principles will be better placed to innovate responsibly and build long-term trust in AI and cloud ecosystems.” Concerns around ambiguity and burden Adam Blake, CEO of ThreatSpike, welcomes the Act’s intent, but voices concern over its clarity and impact on smaller firms: “The language on forced data sharing is far too ambiguous and could end up weakening security. "Larger enterprises may have the resources to adapt, but for SMEs, redesigning products and meeting compliance demands could become a serious bottleneck. "Five years after GDPR, many businesses are still failing to comply [and] I fear this law could face the same fate.” Balancing ambition with practicality With the EU Data Act now in force, businesses across Europe will need to assess their compliance strategies, data management policies, and technical architectures to align with the new requirements. While many see it as an opportunity to improve trust and flexibility, others warn of potential risks and burdens. How effectively the Act is enforced - and how businesses adapt - will determine whether it becomes a cornerstone of Europe’s digital transformation, or another layer of complex regulation.

4 in 5 CISOs say DeepSeek must be regulated

According to cybersecurity company Absolute Security’s UK Resilience Risk Index Report, four in five (81%) UK CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) believe DeepSeek - a China-based AI chatbot raising global security concerns - must be urgently regulated by the UK Government before it sparks a full-scale national cyber crisis. In response to these growing risks, over a third (34%) have implemented full bans on AI due to cyber security concerns, while 30% of CISOs say they’ve already pulled the plug on AI tools within their organisation. The findings come from a recent survey commissioned by Absolute Security, which polled 250 UK CISOs at enterprise organisations via independent research agency Censuswide, to assess how businesses are coping with accelerating cyber challenges in an increasingly AI-powered world. DeepSeek, the rapidly rising AI platform, has raised significant cybersecurity concerns due to its potential to expose sensitive data and be misused by cybercriminals. These issues have led organisations and governments to reconsider their cybersecurity strategies. Businesses are already struggling to cope with the increasing complexity of cyber threats, as shown by the recent Harrods breach among others. However, as CISOs grapple with this evolving landscape, the added layer of AI-powered threats is prompting a re-evaluation of cyber defences. Three out of five (60%) UK CISOs now predict a rise in cyber attacks as a direct result of DeepSeek, with another 60% saying this AI technology is already complicating privacy and governance frameworks, making their jobs more difficult. These concerns reflect a clear shift in mindset, with 42% of CISOs now seeing AI as a bigger threat than a help to cybersecurity. The readiness gap is just as concerning, with nearly half (46%) of security leaders admitting their teams are not prepared to handle AI-driven threats, such as those posed by tools like DeepSeek. The rapid development of DeepSeek is outpacing their defences, according to survey findings, creating a growing risk that many believe can only be managed through government regulation. Andy Ward, SVP International of Absolute Security, comments, “Our research highlights the significant risks posed by emerging AI tools like DeepSeek, which are rapidly reshaping the cyber threat landscape. "As concerns grow over their potential to accelerate attacks and compromise sensitive data, organisations must act now to strengthen their cyber resilience and adapt security frameworks to keep pace with these AI-driven threats. That’s why four in five UK CISOs are urgently calling for government regulation. They’ve witnessed how quickly this technology is advancing and how easily it can outpace existing cybersecurity defences. "These are not hypothetical risks. The fact that organisations are already banning AI tools outright and rethinking their security strategies in response to the risks posed by LLMs like DeepSeek demonstrates the urgency of the situation. "Without a national regulatory framework - one that sets clear guidelines for how these tools are deployed, governed, and monitored - we risk widespread disruption across every sector of the UK economy. The time for debate is over. We need immediate action, policy, and oversight to ensure AI remains a force for progress, not a catalyst for crisis.” Despite the risks, investment in AI talent is accelerating. 84% of organisations are prioritising the hiring of AI specialists in 2025, and 80% have committed to AI training at the C-suite level, hoping that upskilling AI talent can outweigh any increasing threats. Most companies don’t intend to retreat from AI; they want to face it head-on. To use AI safely, CISOs say they need clear rules, stronger government oversight, a skilled AI workforce, and a national plan to deal with the specific risks of DeepSeek and similar tools.

Schneider Electric announces new training programme

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of its Schneider Electric Training programme in the UK and Ireland (UK&I). Schneider Electric’s vision in the UK&I is to create a best-in-class approach to training, unifying specialist academies, courses, and digital campuses into a holistic offering named Schneider Electric Training. The move is in response to the chronic skills gap in engineering and the vital role that training plays in addressing the growing complexities associated with digital transformation. The extensive programme covers everything from AI, the automation of machinery and equipment, to innovations in power and energy management, and safety standards and regulations. Schneider Electric Training will provide customers, partners, and engineers with a single point of access to the vast array of training options and resources available, covering Schneider Electric solutions, industry focused courses, and professional accreditations. It will be delivered via several specialist academies for in-person courses and a digital campus offering on-demand courses for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) via the mySchneider portal. Two academies are already up and running, with three more due to be launched by the end of the year. The Safety Academy in Telford offers a range of Schneider Electric and professional training courses to ensure the safe operation of electrical equipment and site safety, including Competent Person certification and City & Guilds assured Authorised Person training. The Automation Academy in Coventry offers a comprehensive curriculum covering Schneider Electric’s automation portfolio. It is designed to take students from basic product understanding through to advanced programming of both legacy and current technology, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Variable Speed Drives (VSD), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Motion Control and Robotics. David Pownall, VP Services at Schneider Electric UK and Ireland, comments, “Organisations are becoming more dependent on their electrical backbone to support operations, digital transformation, automation, and manufacturing. Electrical engineers and their specialist expertise are critical to the installation, safety, and maintenance of this electrical infrastructure. “There is an urgent need to build skills to embrace new technologies, drive modernisation, improve performance, reduce downtime, and comply with changing safety regulations. Not only that, but training is critical to career enhancement and a key foundation of a positive employee experience, attracting and retaining people when we’re facing a significant skills gap crisis. “Smarter engineers, equipped with the skills needed today and a clear development path to build expertise for the future, make for smarter businesses.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

How data centres can prepare for 2024 CSRD reporting

by Jad Jebara, CEO of Hyperview. The CEO of Britain's National Grid, John Pettigrew, recently highlighted the grim reality that data centre power consumption is on track to grow 500% over the next decade. The time to take collective action around implementing innovative and sustainable date centre initiatives is now - and the new initiatives such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is the perfect North Star to guide the future of data centre reporting. This new EU regulation will impact around 50,000 organisations, including over 10,000 non-EU entities with a significant presence in the region. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires businesses to report their sustainability efforts in more detail, starting this year. If your organisation is affected, you’ll need reliable, innovative data collection and analysis systems to meet the strict reporting requirements. CSRD replaces older EU directives and provides more detailed and consistent data on corporate sustainability efforts. It will require thousands of companies that do business in the EU to file detailed reports on the environmental impact and climate-related risks of their operations. Numerous metrics being assessed are still widely analysed within additional EU-wide initiatives. For instance, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires reporting on two Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) within the CSRD Directive – ITEEsy and ITEUsy – allowing for enhanced measuring and insight into server utilisation, efficiency, and CO2 impact. Given the anticipated explosion in energy consumption by data centres over the next decade, CSRD will shine a spotlight on the sustainability of these facilities. For example, the law will require organisations to provide accurate data for both greenhouse gases and Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. The essential metrics that data centres will need to report on include:   Power usage effectiveness (PUE) – measures the efficiency of a data centre’s energy consumption   Renewable energy factor (REF) – quantifies the proportion of renewable energy sources used to power data centres   IT equipment energy efficiency for servers (ITEEsv) – evaluates server efficiency, focusing on reducing energy consumption per unit of computing power   IT equipment utilisation for servers (ITEUsv) – measures the utilisation rate of IT equipment   Energy reuse factor (ERF) – measures how much waste energy from data centre operations is reused or recycled     Cooling efficiency ratio (CER) – evaluates the efficiency of data centre cooling systems    Carbon usage effectiveness (CUE) – quantifies the carbon emissions generated per unit of IT workload   Water usage effectiveness (WUE) – measures the efficiency of water consumption in data centre cooling   While power capacity effectiveness (PCE) isn’t a mandatory requirement yet, it is a measure that data centres should track and report on as it reveals the total power capacity consumed over the total power capacity built. If not already, now is the time to ensure you have processes and systems in place to capture, verify, and extract this information from your data centres. We also recommend conducting a comprehensive data gap analysis to ensure that all relevant data will be collected. It’s important to understand where your value chain will fall within the scope of CSRD reporting and how that data can be utilised in reporting that’s compliant with ESRS requirements. For example, reports should be machine-readable, digitally tagged and separated into four sections – General, Environmental, Social and Governance. While the immediate impact of CSRD will be in reporting practices, the hope is that, over time, the new legislation will drive change in how businesses operate. The goal is that CSRD will incentivise organisations such as data centre operators to adopt sustainable practices and technologies, such as renewable energy sources and circular economy models. Improving sustainability of data centres    Correctly selecting and leveraging Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) that offers precise and comprehensive reports on energy usage is a paramount step in understanding and driving better sustainability in data centre operations. From modelling and predictive analytics to benchmarking energy performance - data centres that utilise innovative, comprehensive DCIM toolkits are perfectly primed to maintain a competitive operational advantage while prioritising a greener data centre future. DCIM modelling and predictive analytics tools can empower data centre managers to forecast future energy needs more accurately, in turn helping data centres to optimise operations for maximum efficiency. Modelling and predictive analytics also enables proactive planning, ensuring that energy consumption aligns with actual requirements - preventing unnecessary resource allocation and further supporting sustainability objectives.  Real-time visibility of energy usage gives data centre operators insight into usage patterns and instances of energy waste, allowing changes to be made immediately. Ultimately, eliminating efficiencies faster means less emissions and less energy waste. In addition to enhancing operational efficiency, leveraging these real-time insights aligns seamlessly with emission reduction goals – supporting a more sustainable and conscious data centre ecosystem. Utilising the right DCIM tools can also reduce energy consumption by driving higher efficiency in crucial areas such as cooling, power provisioning and asset utilisation. They can ensure critical components operate at optimal temperatures, reducing the risk of overheating and preventing energy wastage. In addition to mitigating overheating and subsequent critical failures, utilising optimal temperature tools can also improve the lifespan and performance of the equipment. The right DCIM tool kit enables businesses to benchmark energy performance across multiple data centres and prioritise energy efficiency – while also verifying the compliance of data centres with key environmental standards and regulations like CSRD. Cutting-edge DCIM platforms also enables data centres to correctly assess their environmental impact by tracking metrics such as power usage effectiveness (PUE), carbon usage effectiveness (CUE) or water usage effectiveness (WUE). These tools facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources - such as solar panels or wind turbines - into the power supply and distribution of green data centres. As sustainability continues to move up the corporate agenda, expect to see greater integration of DCIM with AI and ML to collect and analyse vast quantities of data, such as sensors, devices, applications and users. In addition to enhancing the ease of data collection, this streamlined approach aligns seamlessly with CSRD emission reduction goals - making compliance with CSRD and similar regulations much easier for data centres. Taking a proactive approach to the data gathering requirements of CSRD and implementing technologies to support better sustainability practice isn’t just about compliance or reporting; it’s also to incentivise data centre operators towards the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies. Ultimately, data centres that are prepared for CSRD will also be delivering greater value for their organisation while paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Global Cyber Summit highlights Ukrainian experience amid geopolitical tensions

Nineteen Group, organiser of International Cyber Expo, has announced its programme for the annual Global Cyber Summit, sponsored by Sonatype, Opentext and Infoblox, and hosted at Olympia London on 26 and 27 September 2023. The summit returns with greater international appeal. Among other topics of discussion, guest speakers will provide the Ukrainian perspective on cyber security, in light of recent geopolitical events. With opening remarks by Professor Ciaran Martin CB, Chair of International Cyber Expo’s Advisory Council, the Global Cyber Summit assembles the industry’s great minds to review ongoing cyber threats, priorities and challenges. Uniquely, the programme this year invites advisors closely associated with Ukrainian government agencies to present their invaluable insight into the reality and impact of Russian cyber attacks on the country and beyond. Special guest speakers include, Oksana Kharchenko, a member of YouControl, who will delve into the challenges of managing sanctions risk in the current geopolitical setting; and Andrew Hural, Director, MDR of UnderDefense, who will reflect on the last 500 days of Russian cyber operations, determining the successes and failures of their espionage. Here are a few agenda highlights: Nicola Whiting MBE, co-owner of Titania Group, will reveal why diversity and inclusion efforts might be stalling and provide a new framework. Theresa Deumchen, Tech Policy Associate at Global Counsel, will examine the regulatory landscape concerning generative AI. Alexsander Gorkowienko, SecurityLabs’ Senior Managing Consultant at Spirent Communications, will explain how EU security regulations, such as the NIS 2 Directive, might affect businesses across the region. Jake Moore, Global Cyber Security Advisor at ESET, will shed light on his attempt to manipulate recruitment staff, land a job inside a company and gain full access to their data. Stewart Bertram, Head of Cyber Threat Intelligence at Elemendar, will utilise a mix of case studies and theories to expose the crossover between misinformation and cyber threat operations. Rashik Parmar, Group CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and Dr Saritha Arunkumar, IBM Public Cloud Worldwide Technical Leader - Security, will sit together on a panel to address the question: What does the rise of AI and quantum computing mean for the future of cyber security? Charlotte Hooper, Helpline Manager at The Cyber Helpline, will highlight the impact of cybercrime on individuals and what can be done to support them. Attendees can also take advantage of scheduled talks at the collocated International Security Expo. In fact, Joel Aleburu at Microsoft, will be speaking here about the role of cyber espionage in terrorist activities on the first day of the event, while Joe Wrieden, Intelligence Analyst at Cyjax, will assess the key role of Advanced Persistent Threats(APTs) in serious and organised crime on the second day. All sessions are CPD Certified. To register for free as a visitor: https://ice-2023.reg.buzz/dcnnAs press: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/press-pass-registration Click here for latest data centre news.

Are nuclear powered data centres on the horizon?

By Ed Ansett, Founder and Chairman, i3 Solutions Group Small Modular Reactor maker seeks large data centre partner? Across the globe, activity in the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) space is gathering pace. Governments, regulators, atomic agencies and authorities, global power manufacturers, research bodies and new market entrants are busy. For the data centre industry, the question is whether SMRs are applicable to the sector, could they change how data centres are powered? A look at the output ranges and the different models under development, and the different nuclear technologies being proposed as suitable for the sector will tell us more. The first thing to consider about an SMR is its power output. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines 'small' as under 300MWe, and up to about 700MWe as 'medium.' So, a large data centre deployment is at the small end of the SMR market. There are also developments in the micro modular reactor category. However, most of the recent activity in terms of regulations, licenses and investments has been in the SMR category. SMRs under development and being built tell a story Rolls Royce says its SMR will generate 470MWe. A single Rolls-Royce SMR power station will occupy a space the size of two football pitches and power approximately one million homes, supporting on-grid electricity and a range of off-grid clean energy solutions. In January 2023, GE Hitachi announced a contract for its BWRX-300 - a 300MWe water-cooled SMR. According to the company, this is the first commercial contract for a grid-scale SMR in north America. A Danish outfit called Seaborg is planning floating SMRs using barges that can accommodate four 200MWe reactors. It plans to use existing shipyards in which to create a production line for the barges. In the UK, the Office of Nuclear Regulation is assessing submissions from several firms for the licensing of their technologies. These include US-based Holtec, which submitted its 160MWe pressurised water reactor SMR-160 design developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric of Japan and Hyundai Engineering and Construction of South Korea. X-Energy, a nuclear reactor and fuel design engineering company, wants to deploy its high-temperature gas reactor in the UK, saying it wants to tackle industrial decarbonisation as well as electricity generation. 'The Xe-100 can deliver reliable ‘always-on’ electricity,' it says, 'as well as increase or decrease power levels safely within minutes to respond to varying demand or supply.' UK Atomics is a subsidiary of Danish start-up Copenhagen Atomics, which is developing a containerised thorium molten salt reactor. It says its technology is 'progressing swiftly with the first non-radioactive full-size reactor prototype to be tested in the UK in 2023.' The company expects deployment by 2028. For future large data centre developments, anyone seeking a clean, reliable, low-carbon producing power generation supply, these systems could be applicable. Current options to fuel SMRs The World Nuclear Association (WNA) says there are four main SMR technology options being pursued; 'light water reactors, fast neutron reactors, graphite-moderated high-temperature reactors and various kinds of molten salt reactors (MSRs).' WNA says that, ‘Light Water Reactors are moderated and cooled by ordinary water and have the lowest technological risk, being similar to most operating power and naval reactors today.’’ Fast neutron reactors (FNR) are smaller and simpler than light water types, they have better fuel performance and can have a longer refuelling interval (up to 20 years), but a new safety case needs to be made for them.' 'High-temperature gas-cooled reactors use graphite as a moderator (unless fast neutron type) and either helium, carbon dioxide or nitrogen as primary coolant.' 'Molten salt reactors mostly use molten fluoride salts as primary coolant, at low pressure. Lithium-beryllium fluoride and lithium fluoride salts remain liquid without pressurization up to 1400°C, in marked contrast to a PWR which operates at about 315°C under 150 atmospheres pressure. Fast-spectrum MSRs use chloride salt coolant. In most designs, the fuel is dissolved in the primary coolant, but in some, the fuel is a pebble bed.' WNA also states many small reactors are being designed for industrial heat applications as well as power generation. Light water reactors are constrained by pressure limitations and operate in the 300-400°C range. Liquid metal fast reactors are in the 400-600°C range, molten salt reactors are around 600-700°C, and high-temperature reactors are 600-900°C. Possible use cases for SMRs 2022 and 2023 saw a number of large data centre development projects in the 200MWe range, many of them in South East Asia. Last year, Yondr Group said it would develop a 200MWe hyperscale campus in Malaysia. The company announced a plan to develop 72.8 acres of land in Johor’s Sedenak Tech Park. T5 Data Centres announced the planned development of a 140-acre, 200MWe government and enterprise cloud data centre campus in Augusta, Georgia, which it described as the South East US cyber security hub. In South Korea, energy and construction firm Bosung Group said it is to build a 200Mwe data centre campus in SolaSeaDo, in Jeonnam Province. The company has partnered with The Green Korea (TGK), a joint venture between South Korean energy investment firm Energy Innovation Partners (EIP) and Diode Ventures. None of these developments has made any announcement on the potential use of nuclear power as a primary power source. Today, the timeframes for SMR production and licensing stretch to 2028 and beyond, so it could be that none of the currently publicised projects can wait that long. However, things could change quickly.