Data Centres

DataVolt to build data centre facility in Riyadh

DataVolt, a developer, investor, and operator of sustainable digital infrastructure, and The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), have agreed land lease terms for the development of a state-of-the-art, AI-ready data centre in Riyadh. The 55,000 square metre plot is located in east Riyadh’s First Technology Park. The data centre facility will be designed for advanced AI processing and will serve growing demand from hyperscalers, cloud and content providers, and enterprises in the KSA. DataVolt will build a sustainable data centre facility on the plot with cutting-edge cooling systems, and with an advanced circularity approach. The data centre facility will also be powered by optimised energy solutions. Rajit Nanda, CEO at DataVolt, says, “We are providing mission-critical digital infrastructure that will support the KSA’s position as a global leader in AI while offering customers sustainable data centre solutions. Over many months, we have worked in collaboration with MODON to develop this project and we are proud to move forward and deliver another state-of-the-art facility. Every step we take directly aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and supports the government’s goal of diversification and sustainability across the economy and society as a whole.” DataVolt’s investors and team have successfully developed and operated over 20GW of renewable energy assets across nine countries, deploying scalable and cost-effective solutions. Its unique approach increases operational efficiencies, reduces carbon emissions, and enables customers to grow their digital footprint while meeting sustainability goals. Rajit continues, “The opportunity in artificial intelligence is accelerating, and we are focused on both enabling AI innovation while ensuring we minimise its impact on the environment. We have the technology, expertise and talent to deliver trusted sustainable data centre facilities and ensure that society benefits from a cleaner and greener digital economy.” DataVolt has demonstrated its technical, development, delivery and operational capabilities as part of the assessment process to deliver sustainable, high performance data centres. This development is part of DataVolt’s $5 billion investment in the Kingdom, which supports digital infrastructure delivery. For more from DataVolt, click here.

The benefits of thermal imaging for data centres

Data centre maintenance teams have a big share in safeguarding the critical resource that customers and businesses depend upon. However, by utilising thermal imaging products from FLIR enable them to spot issues at an early stage before they turn into major problems. Guaranteeing uptime has become increasingly complex for data centres. With so much mechanical, electrical and electronic infrastructure under one roof, overheating is a major concern - not only because the infrastructure is not using the energy efficiently, but also because overheating can cause a complete shutdown of servers, impacting users around the world, or even data or equipment loss. The maintenance of a data centre today involves much more than IT operations. Power distribution systems and cooling infrastructure are also essential for keeping the data centre up and running, and for preventing mechanical or electrical failures and resulting outages. Many systems that are critical for the data centre’s operation heat up before they fail. Temperature is an important indicator of energy consumption and equipment operation, which is why infrared thermography (thermal imaging) is an ideal tool to inspect power consumption, electrical installations, cooling equipment and computing hardware. Periodic inspections with a thermal imaging camera have become indispensable in predictive and preventive maintenance programs. Thermal cameras help maintenance staff to detect problems in electrical switchgear, motors, HVAC infrastructure, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDU), batteries and generator equipment, and all electrical devices that feed the server systems, before these problems turn into serious failures or downtime. With cloud computing becoming the new normal, and as data centres are growing to great scales, the need for higher computing density and power efficiency is growing as well. Data centre owners are seeking ways to increase their capacity, but they also want to reduce costs and energy. Thermal imaging can give them important information on how to optimise energy and space requirements, without causing overheating. In short, regular inspections with thermal imaging cameras can help maintenance staff to: • Find and fix hidden problems before they turn into unplanned downtime.• Reduce the chance of component degradation going unnoticed due to overloaded circuits or looseconnections.• Prevent equipment breakdowns.• Optimise energy management and space allocation. What is thermal imaging? A thermal camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into a visual image. Infrared radiation lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Any object that has a temperature above absolute zero (-273.15°C or 0 Kelvin) emits radiation in the infrared region. Even objects that are considered to be very cold, such as ice cubes, emit infrared radiation. Thermal cameras turn this invisible energy into something that can be seen on a screen and measured. The benefits of thermal imaging Although there are other technologies available to help measure temperatures – infrared thermometers or thermocouples to name only two - FLIR tells us that no other tool is as powerful and efficient as its thermal imaging cameras.Unlike IR thermometers or thermocouples, thermal imaging cameras enable users to scan large areas for hot spots or temperature differences. Without a thermal camera, it’s easy to miss critical parts like air leakages, areas with insufficient insulation or water intrusion. A thermal imaging camera can scan entire electrical installations, buildings, heating or HVAC installations. FLIR claims that it never misses a potential problem area, no matter how small this might be. They also allow users to compare temperatures of components in the same environment more easily.Maintenance of data centre installations can be labour-intensive, but because thermal imaging cameras can easily see larger surfaces, they can potentially reduce maintenance time, speed up inspection rounds, and still see all impending failures before they turn into costly defects. Also, thermal imaging is a non-contact technology. This is a safe method, because maintenance personnel can keep a distance without having to touch hot items. But it also means that inspections can easily be carried out while the equipment is still running or under load, so there’s no need to foresee costly downtime. Some inspections, for example rotary UPS systems, can only be done during operation, which makes the thermal imaging camera an ideal tool for online inspections.Thermal imaging cameras allow users to make professional, more insightful reports of their inspections that also look great for management and customers. Users can compare current inspections with historical data and discover trends, while features like templates, batch processing, image editing and route planning further enhance the user-friendliness of today’s reporting solutions.

New electricity connection policy for Irish data centres

The CRU in Ireland has released a report on laying out a potential pathway for connection applications for new data centre customers to the electricity grid - with due regard to security of supply and network constraints while minimising, where possible, potential impacts on national renewable energy targets and carbon emissions. In response to this, Chris Collins, Schneider Electric’s Country President for Ireland, has given his thoughts on how Ireland can have a successful energy transition without compromising economic growth; along with how this requires government support, grid infrastructure expansion, decentralisation through microgrids, and large consumers acting as both energy consumers and producers to accelerate renewable adoption and resilience. Chris comments, “Solving the energy transition, without deprioritising economic growth, requires an all-hands approach with build-out of grid infrastructure, increases in grid scale renewable generation and storage, and large consumers coming to the table as both consumers and producers of energy as part of a future, interactive energy system. “Longer term, there needs to be greater encouragement from the Government to press ahead with renewable projects which can build more resiliency into Ireland’s energy system. Ireland needs a smarter, more decentralised grid based on a network of microgrids – self-contained sites that allow you to generate your own electricity using a mix of renewables – to cope with surges in power demand. “By doing so, we can transition from one central point of electrical generation to literally thousands of points of electrical generation, effectively transforming homes and businesses, including data centres, into producers of energy. This brings large consumers, in particular, to the table as prosumers, and expands localised generation and storage through microgrids. Microgrids can be rolled out at a quicker pace than national grid upgrades, and at a fraction of the cost. It’s crucial to help us move away from fossil fuels and opens the door for more on-site renewables and storage that integrates with the grid.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Aligned Data Centers to open new Texas facility

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company offering innovative, sustainable and adaptive scale data centres, has announced its expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area with a new data centre campus in Mansfield, Texas. Aligned's DFW-03, situated on a 27-acre site with an on-site substation, is strategically positioned to meet rising demand for AI, cloud and enterprise applications. Initial capacity is anticipated to be available as early as Q4 2025, providing customers with rapid access to critical infrastructure. “The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provides the ideal foundation for Aligned's continued expansion,” says Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned. “We are thrilled to bring our innovative data centre solutions to Mansfield. Our focus will be on delivering the high-performance infrastructure our customers require to power their AI / cloud workloads and support the highest-density GPUs, with near-term power availability.” Aligned is strategically positioned to lead the next phase of data centre development. With over a decade of innovation in cooling technologies and 5,000+ MW of future capacity, the company is uniquely equipped to deliver the speed, scale, and quality of infrastructure customers require to succeed in this rapidly evolving landscape. Aligned's DFW-03 leverages Aligned's proven adaptive modular infrastructure, accelerating deployments through prefabrication of components and on-site delivery of critical equipment. This flexible design approach minimises cost and risk while enhancing sustainability and quality. It also empowers customers with the flexibility to optimise their deployments for various workloads, including AI, cloud, and enterprise applications, by tailoring density, resiliency, and redundancy. The data centre also features Aligned’s proprietary air and liquid cooling technologies, enabling customers to easily transition from air-cooled to liquid-cooled systems, or deploy hybrid cooling within the same data hall, to accommodate densities upwards of 350 kW per rack. As part of Aligned’s long-standing commitment to environmental and community stewardship, the company also established the 'Roots for the Future Fund' in partnership with the City of Mansfield. This fund supports city development, as well as the planting of native trees in the local area, providing shade, improving air quality, and enhancing the overall sustainability of the community. "Aligned Data Centers has continued to show that it's more than a business with a location in Mansfield," said City of Mansfield Mayor, Michael Evans. "With the Roots for the Future Fund, the company is adding another stitch to the fabric of Mansfield as a neighbour and community leader." Andrew Schaap concludes, “We are incredibly grateful for the collaborative spirit of the City of Mansfield, as well as the warm welcome we’ve received from the Mansfield community. This partnership has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition. Aligned is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen and looks forward to our continued collaboration with the community to support local initiatives and contribute to the continued growth, prosperity and sustainability of the region." For more from Aligned Data Centers, click here.

Centiel to demonstrate AI workload-ready UPS at DCW

UPS manufacturer, Centiel, will showcase its multi-award winning, true modular UPS StratusPower at Data Centre World, taking place at ExCel London on 12-13 March. StratusPower is currently being utilised in data centres around the globe and, in particular, has been designed to deal with AI workloads and the fast-approaching power demand. Louis McGarry, Sales and Marketing Director, Centiel, explains, “AI is creating heavy demand for power protection. We are working on projects that require multi megawatts of power for data centres and AI data processing facilities that rely on power protection equipment that can be scaled-up and rapidly deployed. While efficiency and sustainability in UPS systems is now a given, customer choice now comes down to quality but also how big and how quickly can UPS systems be scaled and deployed. “Our factory in Switzerland produces around 1,000 UPS modules per month, and Centiel offers rapid delivery worldwide to protect the power for data centres and the growth in AI across the globe. Our UPS is scalable to fulfil the capabilities of any facility on day one, or grow as the data centre expands. “In addition, StratusPower offers “9 nines” (99.9999999%) availability to effectively eliminate system downtime; class leading 97.6% on-line efficiency to minimise running costs; true 'hot swap' modules to eliminate human error in operation; plus long-life components to improve sustainability.” StratusPower is also known for is dynamic load handling and reliable uptime for unpredictable, high-intensity AI demands. With its impressive overload capacity of up to 150% for 60 seconds, it offers unmatched performance. In relation to grid resilience, StratusPower absorbs voltage fluctuations with an extended input range, in addition to operating flawlessly under elevated temperature conditions. The three-phase true modular UPS StratusPower now covers a power range from 50 to 1,875kW in one cabinet and can be paralleled for 3,750kW of uninterrupted, clean power, which is ideal for data centres. Louis continues, “To discuss your data centre’s needs for a fully scalable, efficient, reliable UPS system, and to ensure your AI infrastructure is future-proofed, come and see us at Data Centre World. Our expert team of trusted advisors will be on hand to discuss power availability for AI facilities and how best to maximise uptime for critical power protection.” Centiel now protects critical loads for data centres and comms rooms in over 100 countries across five continents. The company will be located at booth DC232 at the upcoming Data Centre World event in London. For more from Centiel, click here.

Vertiv and Oxigen to develop new data centre

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced that it is collaborating with Oxigen, a provider of data hosting, processing and distribution services, to design and implement Oxigen's largest data centre. Vertiv’s power and thermal solutions deliver scalability and energy efficiency, and its services also provide comprehensive support, helping to position Oxigen as a benchmark for high-performance data centres in Spain. Oxigen’s second and largest data centre, situated in Sant Cugat del Vallès, boasts an impressive 6,000m² (64,583 feet) of space - including a 3,000m² (32,292 feet) operations clean room - and has the capacity for up to 800 racks with multiple power and customisation options. This scope allows Oxigen to quickly adapt to market needs, such as continuously evolving AI projects. While the current infrastructure occupies only a portion of the available space, the facility is ready for expected growth. The data centre is designed in line with Uptime Institute's Tier III criteria, which certifies that the facility meets high standards of availability and redundancy, enabling enhanced resilience and connectivity. Vertiv's technology - which is essential for the smooth and continuous operations of this data centre - includes: • A high-performance Vertiv Liebert AFC chiller, which provides precise temperature and flow of the cooling fluid.• Vertiv Liebert CRV row-based cooling equipment, which allows humidity and temperature adjustment and is located near the most demanding racks.• Vertiv Powerbar iMPB busbar systems, which allow power to be distributed to the equipment racks, significantly increasing flexibility and scalability for the future. Vertiv has also provided Vertiv Critical Insight, a vendor-agnostic software that allows authorised personnel to visualise everything happening in the data centre in real time, enabling continuous monitoring of any critical digital infrastructure and its deployments onsite or remotely. Critical Insight notifies the personnel monitoring the systems of the current conditions of the equipment, trends and analysis. It provides recommendations on personnel actions as the equipment reaches baseline thresholds. Any adjustments needed can then be completed by the appropriate engineers physically onsite or remotely if controls management can be done. This mix of adaptable technologies, along with energy consumed coming from 100% renewable resources, enables increased energy efficiency and cost savings. Benjamin Rovira, CEO of Oxigen, says, "We have been working with the Vertiv team for more than 20 years, during which they have always demonstrated exceptional professionalism and delivered state-of-the-art technology. Knowing both their products and their team well and having always achieved strong results, we trust their ability to adapt to our evolving requirements. They are an ideal partner.” The Oxigen data centre has 6MW of total power and up to 20 kW per rack to serve industries including the pharmaceutical, industrial, technological, education and public sectors. Oxigen customers expect their critical digital infrastructure to provide continuous uptime to support significant processing capability, consistent cooling and stored electricity - especially at peak hours. Jordi Gonzalez Sandalinas, Enterprise Account Manager at Vertiv, comments, "The collaboration with Oxigen is testament to the ability of our solutions to adapt and expand with the customer’s needs. Our focus on energy efficiency, coupled with flexibility and ongoing support, allows Oxigen to grow without compromising the quality or security of its services. "Over the years, we have built strong trust and demonstrated a deep knowledge of Oxigen’s needs, in addition to providing a broad and innovative portfolio of technologies. This is why the company has placed its full trust in Vertiv’s service team for the maintenance and management of the equipment." For more from Vertiv, click here.

MXT Holdings improves data centre connectivity in Mexico

MXT Holdings (MXT), a telecommunications infrastructure company in Mexico that develops and operates neutral-host communication infrastructure assets, is deploying Ciena's coherent routing innovations - and in the process, taking proactive measures to handle escalating traffic demands placed on its network driven by 5G, cloud-based applications, and the evolving digital landscape. MXT manages over 3,500km of long-haul and metropolitan fibre optic networks in Central and Southeast Mexico. Its network is deployed across key states, including Quintana Roo, Chiapas, and Tabasco. To improve connectivity for its customers and create a more adaptive network, MXT is utilising Ciena’s coherent routing across its metro and long-haul networks. This upgrade will allow MXT to connect key links between Mexico City and Monterrey, creating a network that is significantly more resilient, reliable, and scalable. MXT will also be able to offer up to 400G connectivity options for data centres, high-performance computing networks, enterprises, and service provider applications. Jorge Millones, COO, MXT, comments, “At MXT, we are committed to delivering connectivity that goes beyond our customers’ expectations. With Ciena’s coherent routing innovations, we are better able to support our customers’ digital experiences and offer more robust and reliable connectivity. Ciena’s technology allows us to optimise network performance by streamlining hardware components. This not only enables faster time to market, giving our customers a distinct advantage in today’s highly competitive environment, but also drives operational efficiency.” This transformative network upgrade will not only improve the overall customer experience, but also allow MXT’s network to boost infrastructure efficiency and create a network that can seamlessly adapt to meet evolving bandwidth demands. MXT’s network leverages Ciena’s coherent routing solution comprised of the 5164 Router and 8114 Coherent Aggregation Router with WaveLogic 5 Nano (WL5n) 400ZR pluggable transceivers running over Ciena’s Coherent ELS and 6500 open line systems. With Ciena’s coherent routing, MXT can deploy less hardware, saving capex and opex, while flexibly supporting a range of use cases, including data centre interconnect (DCI). The multi-layer network will be managed by Ciena’s Navigator Network Control Suite (NCS), providing ease of deployment and management. Additionally, with Ciena’s PinPoint OTDR, MXT can use advanced analytics and software tools to monitor and identify potential trouble spots and accelerate repair times.

Crestchic expands to meet demand from data centres

Crestchic Loadbanks, a load testing specialist, has reinforced its commitment to the growing data centre sector with the acquisition of the loadbanks rental division of Gulf Incon International. This strategic move strengthens Crestchic’s presence in the UAE and enables it to meet growing demand for loadbank testing in the region’s expanding data centre market. The acquisition comes as the UAE experiences rapid growth in data centre development, driven by digital transformation, cloud computing, the computational demands of AI, and increased investment from hyperscale providers. With data centres requiring rigorous power infrastructure testing to ensure uptime and resilience, the acquisition will allow Crestchic to meet demand with a larger fleet, including server emulators for heat load testing in server halls. Chris Caldwell, Managing Director at Crestchic Loadbanks, comments, “We’ve always been heavily involved in the data centre sector and have seen demand for power testing and heat load testing skyrocket in recent years. This acquisition is a significant step up in our ability to support the sector’s growing needs for timely and efficient solutions. Gulf Incon International has built a strong reputation for reliability and expertise in the Middle East. By integrating their loadbank assets and specialist team into our operations, we are even better positioned to serve the region’s increasing need for robust power reliability and heat load testing.” As part of the acquisition, Gulf Incon International’s loadbank assets and personnel will be relocated to Crestchic UAE’s headquarters in Jebel Ali. The expanded fleet and capabilities will ensure continuity of service and expert support for customers across the region, including an enhanced foothold in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Over the past three years, Crestchic has significantly invested in its people, equipment, and infrastructure, doubling its global revenue and reinforcing its position as a market leader in load-testing solutions. Crestchic tells us that this latest acquisition underscores its commitment to delivering high-quality power testing solutions to businesses operating in mission-critical industries, particularly within the data centre sector. For more from Crestchic Loadbanks, click here.

LINX surpasses 700Gbps traffic peak in Manchester

The London Internet Exchange (LINX), a not-for-profit organisation working for the good of the Internet, has hit a new record maximum traffic peak of 725Gbps at its Manchester network fabric, highlighting the importance of regionalising network traffic. LINX Manchester has seen consistent growth in traffic, rising by an average of 100-200Gbps throughout 2024. Manchester prides itself on robust digital infrastructure with some of the fastest internet speeds in the UK, supported by extensive fibre-optic networks. Key initiatives such as the £23.8 million full-fibre investment have been pivotal to enhancing Manchester’s digital connectivity, enabling businesses to leverage data and technology to improve efficiency and services. To further enhance Manchester’s strong internet connectivity, LINX’s new location on its Manchester network went live in September 2024 at the Lunar Digital Data Centre, providing peering and further interconnection services to deliver improved performance, increased redundancy and lower network latency by keeping traffic local to the Manchester area. Colin Peckham, LINX Interconnection Specialist, comments, “Manchester is a thriving hub of business and technology, at the forefront of innovation and economic growth, so it’s vital that the area has fast, resilient network infrastructure. Working with our data centre partners in the area, we’re able to quickly deploy advanced peering and cross-connect services to strengthen connectivity in the region and best support the people and businesses driving forward growth. Keeping traffic local keeps latency low and bolsters network security to ensure that internet access remains strong and operational for longer.” Manchester acts as a landmark tech hub for the UK off the back of significant investment in infrastructure, technology and education. The area is home to MediaCityUK, where major organisations such as the BBC, ITV and Ericsson are based, and also nearby to innovation district, The Oxford Road Corridor. The city is also the recipient of major infrastructure funding under the Northern Powerhouse Initiative. Datum is another of the data centre partners on the LINX Manchester network, and its MCR2 data centre in South Manchester is due to go live by the end of Q1 2025. Seb Graham, Group Sales Director for Datum, comments, “We are thrilled to see Manchester continually growing its traffic year on year with LINX. Partnering with LINX has been a massive benefit and allows Datum to provide a diverse, carrier neutral offering to our growing client base from a very connectivity-rich data centre. The team at LINX have been brilliant to work with from day one and continue to develop a tight knit, supportive community. We look forward to working more closely with LINX delivering further solutions from our newly built MCR2 site. Manchester is very much open for business!” The city has ambitious plans to further its position as a leading tech hub, with the Manchester Digital Campus set to open in 2026, and the development of a new innovation district called ID Manchester, which aims to create 10,000 jobs and attract global tech firms. For more from LINX, click here.

Investment in data centre markets to reach new heights

CBRE, a commercial real estate service company, is expecting an unprecedented amount of new data centre supply to be delivered in Europe this year, as providers aim to keep pace with fierce demand. According to the latest research from the company, there is 937MW of new supply expected in European markets this year. If this data centre supply is delivered, it will reportedly set a new record for Europe and would represent an increase of 282MW more than the 655MW of capacity delivered in 2024. More than half (57%) of this capacity is expected to be delivered in the leading European data centre markets - Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin (the FLAPD region). In 2024, facilities of unprecedented size were delivered across Europe for the industry’s largest customers, but demand for colocation data centre space continued to outstrip supply, at 706MW and 655MW respectively. It is being reported that customer appetite for capacity has grown despite the difficulties data centre providers are having sourcing power and available land for new facilities. Nevertheless, CBRE believes that a greater proportion of supply will be delivered to Europe’s smaller secondary markets than ever before. The firm expects double-digit supply growth in five of the 10 secondary European markets tracked in 2025. There are seven markets, such as Milan and Madrid, which are expected to have 100MW of supply or more by year-end, compared to just four markets at the end of 2022. Kevin Restivo, Head of European Data Centre Research at CBRE, comments, "The data centre construction boom will continue unabated. Available power and appropriate land, government incentives, and hyperscaler ambitions are key factors that are driving the rapid growth of markets such as Milan, as well as the continued expansion of leading markets like London and Frankfurt." For more from CBRE, click here.