Data Centres

JLL expands EMEA Data Centres team

JLL has announced three key new hire announcements in its EMEA data centres team. Analysis by JLL estimates that 742MW of hyperscale self-build is currently under construction in EMEA, with a further 2,661MW worth of land banked, driven by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies requiring infrastructure support provided by hyperscale data centres.  JLL’s latest research highlights the pace of the sector's upward trajectory, with hyperscale providers continuing to drive market dynamics and predicted to increase their capital expenditure to $300 billion in 2025. The figure represents an increase of 50% on 2024 and JLL has responded to the surge in demand by strengthening its data centre services offering with three senior hires within its EMEA team. “The data centre sector across the core EMEA markets continues to experience robust growth, driven by surging demand for capacity,” says Jonathan Kinsey, EMEA Lead and Global Chair, Data Centre Solutions, JLL. “This rapid growth underscores the critical role data centres play in supporting the digital economy and the increasing reliance on cloud services. Bringing in the very brightest talent in the industry is an essential part of our plan to support that expansion by strengthening our offering to meet the current and future needs of our clients, reinforcing our capabilities within the region.” Steve Ross has been appointed as UK & Ireland Data Centre Operations lead, having worked in critical environments for the past two decades, with over 12 years in the data centre industry. Most recently, Steve was Technical Facilities Director at Ark Data Centres, with accountability for technical and facility operations across all of Ark’s data centre campuses, whilst also ensuring that operations provided full support through the design, construction, and commissioning stages of Ark’s expansion. Godfrey Anderson joins as Director, Critical Environment Centre of Excellence Programme lead – EMEA Region, having previously served as EMEA Head of Engineering Design for Morgan Stanley. Godfrey also spent over 15 years with Credit Suisse across several roles in EMEA and APAC, with over 25 years of experience in engineering project management and operations within the investment industry. Ross Smyth joins as Senior Consultant - EMEA Data Centre Consulting, bringing with him a specialism in integrated chip programming and a background in electrical engineering. Ross joins from data centre advisory firm VIPA Digital, where he spent three years consulting on high profile projects specialising in technical due diligence, operations, power, and connectivity.  “We are excited to welcome Steve, Godfrey and Ross to JLL, who can call upon numerous collective leadership, client management and project roles throughout impressive careers that will serve as an invaluable asset to our clients moving forward,” says Jonathan. “These are significant hires that increase our technical capabilities and network connections in line with our plans for growth.” 

Schneider Electric advocates for increase in sustainable technology

Schneider Electric, the energy management and automation specialist – and recognised sustainability expert – will play an active role at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 (WEF), advocating for more collaboration to increase uptake of energy technologies and automation solutions. The annual meeting gathers global leaders from all sectors to address the world's most urgent challenges. This year, it emphasises stronger collaboration to address geopolitical dynamics, while stimulating growth and stewarding a just energy transition. Schneider Electric tells us that it is firmly aligned with the WEF’s call to action. The company has long worked across multiple industries and sectors, helping clients and partners reduce environmental impacts along their value chain, while improving efficiency and resilience. Recently, Schneider Electric released two key reports: The Looming Power Crunch; Solutions for Data Center Expansion in an Energy-Constrained World from its Energy Management Research Center, and Artificial Intelligence for Energy Transition from its Sustainability Research Institute. These reports outline strategies for addressing the challenges of an energy-constrained world and ensuring expansion is both sustainable and economically viable. They also define a strategy for integrating AI seamlessly into our infrastructure to achieve substantial decarbonisation in the energy sector. Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric, during the IEA global conference in December 2024 advocated that it is possible to leverage innovations in AI to deliver greater efficiency, resilience, and security simultaneously while ensuring smart and sustainable management. Schneider Electric now calls for harnessing the momentum around AI to accelerate the adoption of existing technologies such as end-to-end AI data centre solutions or AI powered HVAC in buildings. The company states that this will facilitate a successful energy transition and drive the development of smart industries. According to a WEF report, reducing energy usage with existing technologies alone could lower energy intensity by 31% and generate annual savings exceeding $2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) by 2030. To deploy technology at scale, Schneider Electric emphasises stronger partnerships and enhancing efficiency at the industry level. Olivier Blum comments, “Sustainability and economic growth can go hand-in-hand. By forging strategic partnerships, companies can leverage innovation and technology at hand to increase their performance while delivering meaningful impacts and a better future for all.” From 20-24 January, participants at WEF’s Annual Meeting can engage with Schneider Electric's experts in both public and private panel discussions. These sessions will focus on practical strategies for implementation, return on investment, and real-world case studies that highlight the benefits and successes of sustainable projects. Company executives in attendance will include: • Olivier Blum, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Electric• Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman, Schneider Electric• Aamir Paul, President of North America Operations, Schneider Electric• Barbara Frei, EVP, Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric• Caspar Herzberg, CEO, AVEVA & Member of the Executive Committee, Schneider Electric• Chris Leong, Chief Sustainability Officer, Schneider Electric• Deepak Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, Zone President Greater India, Schneider Electric• Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President, Data Centers & Networks, Schneider Electric For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Telehouse launches new liquid cooling lab

Addressing the thermal challenges of today’s high-performance computing and AI workloads, Telehouse International Corporation of Europe, a global data centre service provider, has announced the launch of its liquid cooling lab following the development of strategic partnerships with four of the world’s most advanced liquid cooling technology providers. From early 2025 onwards, the four companies – Accelsius, EkkoSense, JetCool, and Legrand – will showcase their advanced cooling technologies at the new, state-of-the-art liquid cooling lab at Telehouse South, the latest addition to Telehouse’s London Docklands campus. This project will enable Telehouse customers to explore cutting-edge liquid cooling innovations and find an option that works best for their needs. Accelsius is bringing its NeuCool platform to Telehouse’s London data centre, introducing a two-phase, direct-to-chip cooling technology that uses a waterless, non-conductive refrigerant for heat removal. Removing an average heat flux of 250W/cm² and hot spot heat fluxes above 500W/cm², NeuCool offers substantial performance headroom for AI and high-performance computing. The deployment will include the Accelsius Thermal Simulation Rack, a patent-pending system with Load Simulation Sleds that replicate high-power servers, enabling users to control, monitor, and measure the impressive cooling and computational performance delivered by NeuCool technology. Telehouse clients will also have access to a live performance portal for real-time data and seamless demonstrations of the system’s capabilities. JetCool, a Flex company, will provide its SmartPlate System in the Liquid Cooling Lab - a self-contained liquid cooling product in compact 1U and 2U form factors. Requiring no piping, plumbing, or facility modifications, the SmartPlate System provides a hassle-free approach to efficient cooling. JetCool’s patented microconvective liquid cooling technology handles the highest-power CPUs, GPUs, and AI accelerators, cooling Superchips over 3,500W and outperforming microchannel-based designs by up to 30%, as validated by third-party testing. JetCool’s product suite extends beyond self-contained systems to integrated rack-level liquid cooling products. These incorporate JetCool’s in-rack SmartSense Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU), capable of cooling up to 300kW per rack or neighbouring racks, with scalability to row-based configurations exceeding 2MW. JetCool’s flexible technology enables Telehouse tenants to choose products ranging from liquid-assisted air cooling to full-scale liquid cooling, meeting the demands of today’s high-performance computing and AI workloads. Legrand will install its USystems ColdLogikCL20 Rear Door Heat Exchanger (RDHx), supporting over 90kW capacity per cabinet. Its ColdLogik RDHx negates heat at source and removes the need for air-mixing or containment. Ambient air is drawn into the rack via the IT equipment fans, and the hot exhaust air is expelled from the equipment and pulled over the heat exchanger assisted by EC fans mounted in the RDHx chassis. The exhaust air transfers heat into the coolant within the heat exchanger, and the newly chilled air is expelled into the room at, or just below, the predetermined room ambient temperature designed around sensible cooling. Both processes are managed by the ColdLogik adaptive intelligence, using air-assisted liquid-cooling to control the whole room temperature automatically at its most efficient point. EkkoSense, a provider of AI-powered data centre optimisation software, will deploy to Telehouse's lab its innovative EkkoSim ‘what-if?’ scenario simulations; low-cost air-side and liquid-side monitoring sensors; web-based EkkoSoft Critical 3D visualisations with analytics and AI-powered advisory; and anomaly detection tools. Because the latest AI compute hardware and hybrid cooling infrastructure introduce new levels of engineering complexity, EkkoSense deploys the power of AI to capture, visualise, and analyse data centre performance. Telehouse has already deployed EkkoSense’s EkkoSoft Critical platform across its London Docklands campus, optimising data centre cooling performance. A key benefit for the Telehouse operations team has been how the EkkoSense AI-powered platform has not only improved visibility into cooling and capacity performance, but also helped to reduce the administrative burden for already busy Telehouse team members. For more from Telehouse, click here.

BAC to showcase new immersion cooling tank

Baltimore Aircoil Company (BAC) is to showcase its latest sustainable cooling innovations at the AHR Expo 2025 – the event for ‘everything new in HVACR’. Among the innovations at the company's stand will be the newly released immersion cooling tank, the TrilliumSeries adiabatic cooler, and the BAC’s Loop platform. BAC's brand new immersion cooling tank, which attendees will have the opportunity to see at the expo, is designed to address the growing demands of data centres. This innovative technology achieves remarkable energy efficiency, BAC says, significantly reducing overall energy consumption by 51% and cooling energy by 95% compared to traditional designs. The cooling process works through direct contact with data centre servers submerged in a dielectric fluid within immersion cooling tanks, with heat generated from servers absorbed by the fluid and transferred from the tanks to a cooling unit outside the facility to reject the heat. Once the fluid is cooled within the outdoor unit, it is then transferred back to the in-tank heat exchanger to absorb more heat. There is also no need for a chiller and virtually no maintenance. In combination with BAC’s outdoor heat rejection technologies – including cooling towers, adiabatic coolers, hybrid coolers, and dry coolers – BAC can help customers balance PUE and Water Use Effectiveness (WUE), providing options to meet site specific goals. Visitors to the BAC booth will also have a chance to explore the TrilliumSeries adiabatic cooler, showcasing BAC's commitment to water and energy efficiency. This unique adiabatic cooler is ideal for applications demanding both energy efficiency and limited water use. The TrilliumSeries cooler features a smart water management system with high-efficiency pre-cooler pads, a dual pump recirculating system for code compliance, intelligent controls for optimised operation, and up to 20% energy savings compared to alternatives. Also on display will be BAC’s innovative AI-driven Loop Platform, designed to enhance the efficiency and performance of HVAC systems. This compact yet powerful device optimises operational efficiency by continuously monitoring and adjusting for changes in environmental conditions. The Loop Platform offers real-time data analysis and performance optimisation, predictive maintenance capabilities, significant energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, and extended equipment lifespan. This year’s AHR Expo will take place from 10-12 February at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Visitors are invited to explore BAC's products at Booth 6243. For more from Baltimore Aircoil Company, click here.

New edge data centre to open in Amarillo

Region 16 Education Service Center (ESC) has announced the addition of a state-of-the-art edge data centre, constructed in partnership with Duos Edge AI, a subsidiary of Duos Technologies Group. It is expected that the facility, located in Amarillo, Texas, will transform educational and economic opportunities for the Panhandle region. The new edge data centre will provide a Tier 2 data centre with full SOC compliance which will interconnect to major carriers, while delivering fast and stable internet connectivity, empowering students with access to innovative educational tools. Furthermore, it will provide scalable IT infrastructure, enabling the ability to grow with the evolving needs of the community. The new data centre will also boost local businesses by offering enhanced connectivity and computing resources, driving economic development. Duos says that the initiative demonstrates how edge data centres can transform underserved communities, ensuring equal access and creating new opportunities for the Texas Panhandle’s students, communities and businesses. "We are thrilled to launch our first edge data centre in Amarillo, a location that will serve as a critical hub for education and economic development in the region,” comments Doug Recker, President and Founder of Duos Edge AI. “Our collaboration with Region 16 underscores our commitment to improving educational outcomes and driving economic growth in underserved areas." Duos believes that the launch of this edge data centre is a significant step toward building a connected future for rural schools and businesses. By laying the groundwork for Infrastructure 4.0, this initiative is designed to empower communities with the tools and connectivity needed to thrive in a digital age Michael Keough, Chief Technology Officer at Region 16, states, "The 60 public school districts in the rural Texas Panhandle rely on Region 16 for their educational and technological needs. Introducing edge data centres in our area is a critical step in ensuring that our students have the resources and connectivity they need to succeed. “This advancement will enable rural communities to enjoy the same level of access to educational and business opportunities as urban areas, minimising delays and enhancing the quality of service throughout the region.” To celebrate this milestone, a launch event will be held on 18 March at Region 16 ESC, located at 5800 Bell Street in Amarillo, Texas, from 9am to 1pm CT. Executives from the data centre operator and service providers enabling this project, along with representatives from the State and the Autonomy Institute, will be in attendance. Duos encourages community leaders, educators and business leaders to attend to learn about the data centre’s innovative capabilities and explore the new facility. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

Industry reacts to AI Opportunities Action Plan

Following yesterday's news about the Government unveiling a new AI Opportunities Action Plan, the industry has naturally been swift to react. Here's a round-up of observations from across the sector: • Mark Yeeles, Vice President, Secure Power division, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, says, “The UK has long held a rich history of technology leadership and innovation, and the recommendations within the Government's new AI Opportunities Action Plan present an ambitious but essential strategy to accelerate sustainable economic growth. In many respects, it is a crucial first step towards a more digitally driven future, enabled by AI. “I, for one, am delighted to see further recognition of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, and of their pivotal role in providing the secure, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure foundations that are essential to the countries AI success. “Indeed, the proposed development of AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) presents a logical and effective way to fast-track new AI infrastructure, and to co-develop it with distributed energy resources - addressing the many power challenges that have historically hindered national developments. “What’s critical is that security, sustainability and efficiency remain at the forefront of these developments, and that we continue to create strategies to decouple AI and data centre growth from power consumption, while reducing the technologies demand on the grid. “Additionally, to meet and exceed our ambitions around AI leadership, it’s essential we tackle the skills gaps across several key areas connected to AI, including data centres and digital infrastructure, renewable power, sustainability, and engineering. “We at Schneider Electric are therefore not only glad to see the Government taking proactive steps to address the skills shortage at an industry-level by setting targets to train tens of thousands of AI professionals by 2030, but to see its plans to expand education pathways into AI and to teach higher-education students’ a host of industry-relevant skills. “Further, addressing the diversity issue at root and branch is vital to the future of the UK’s technology industry, and it’s excellent to see the acknowledgment of this within the plan.” • Dame Dawn Childs, CEO of Pure DC, comments, “Pure DC welcomes the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan, which underscores the nation's commitment to advancing artificial intelligence. The establishment of AI Growth Zones, such as the one in Culham, Oxfordshire, is a significant step toward accelerating the development of essential infrastructure. “As a leading data centre provider, Pure DC recognises the importance of translating ambitious plans into tangible outcomes. The successful application and delivery of infrastructure depend on close collaboration between government, industry, and local communities. By aligning these efforts, we can create data centres that not only meet the evolving growth in capacity sought by technology firms, but also respect and actively benefit the communities they serve. “We are particularly encouraged by the plan's focus on creating jobs and fostering innovation in de-industrialised areas. This aligns with our commitment to engaging with local stakeholders to drive economic development and ensure our projects deliver long-term value for communities. “By working together, we can ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of AI and technology, creating a thriving environment for innovation and investment.” • Robin Ferris, AI Lead at digital infrastructure provider, Pulsant, observes, "It takes a long time to plan and build the digital infrastructure that supports AI technology, so the announcement of dedicated AI Growth Zones is fantastic news. But for this to really work, the plan needs to think about the different needs of AI. Training large language models (LLMs) can be more flexible with where it happens, but AI inference – the bit where we actually see AI’s real value – works better when it’s closer to major economic hubs. "Organisations have been working hard to create real-world AI applications, and we are at an inflection point where they are now coming into production, but only if the right infrastructure is available – and fast. The need is now, and while the UK has one of the most advanced digital infrastructures in the world, it has to keep pace with businesses' growing needs. That’s why including brownfield sites would be a smart move. Not only can it be more efficient, but it’s also a greener, more sustainable choice. "Having a spread-out, diverse digital infrastructure across the UK is key to making AI accessible to everyone – not just businesses in specific regions. That way, we can create an environment where innovation thrives everywhere and ideas turn into real-world impact faster." • Tom Whittaker, Director at UK law firm, Burges Salmon, says, “The AI sector will be looking forward to the Spring 2025 Spending Review and the further publications listed in the plan to see what the plan looks like in practice. The plan reflects the public sector's cautious optimism about AI.  “In fact, Government is doing more for the AI sector than what's set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan. For example, the plan does not refer to the Government's push for public sector organisations to publish on a register where they are developing or using AI. That register shows that there is a wide range of potential uses of AI across the public sector. We can see from research and public registers of AI development and use that there is a great deal of enthusiasm across the public sector to use AI to improve public services.” • Rupert Bedell, CEO at Fasthosts, comments, “Data centres are the engines that will drive the AI Opportunities Action Plan into reality, but their development comes with significant environmental consequences. Managing their energy demands will define whether this AI plan will be a sustainable path forward. “The proposed AI Energy Council must lead in establishing robust standards for energy efficiency and renewable energy use in new data centres. Equally, upgrading existing facilities with advanced technologies and modular designs will be essential to reducing their environmental impact. Relying solely on carbon offsets will not be enough, as true sustainability requires meaningful changes to how data centres are built and maintained throughout their lifecycle. “For AI to truly benefit our society, we must address its environmental footprint head-on. Data centres have a unique opportunity to set the benchmark for how innovation and environmental responsibility can coexist.”

Global data centre demand surges despite constraints

Artificial intelligence applications are rapidly expanding across industries, and the global data centre industry plays a critical role in AI adoption and advancement. To meet the exponential data centre demand, the sector will grow at a phenomenal pace in 2025. JLL’s 2025 Global Data Center Outlook explores how AI is not only driving demand but the development of more powerful and efficient data centre infrastructure that balances computing power and sustainability. Across the hyperscale and colocation segments, an estimated 10 GW is projected to break ground globally in 2025, while 7 GW will likely reach completion. Based on this current pace of under construction and planned developments, the global data centre market will likely expand at a baseline 15% CAGR through 2027 – with the potential to reach 20%. Rapid expansion brings challenges, including demand outstripping supply and electricity development constraints in some markets. The industry also faces numerous opportunities such as the emergence of new technologies providing novel pathways for sustainability. “The pace of AI innovation is not slowing down, and the data centre industry must continue to adapt,” says Jonathan Kinsey, JLL EMEA Lead and Global Chair, Data Centre Solutions. “AI’s transformative power demands have already reshaped our world, yet its most significant and enduring effect may lie in how we rise to meet the substantial energy demands required to fuel this technological revolution. The results will fundamentally reshape data centre design and operation.” Next-generation AI requirements At the core of the AI revolution is the rapid advancement in semi-conductor technology. Over the past two years, GPUs have become substantially more powerful, leading to higher rack densities ranging from 40 kW to 130 kW per rack, with future chips projected to reach an astounding 250 kW per rack. GPU innovation presents a significant hurdle: managing the heat generated by densely packed, energy-intensive GPUs. The necessity to keep this tech cooled and load variability stable, combined with new power usage effectiveness (PUE) regulations, will shift thermal management strategies toward liquid cooling as the standard for new data centre developments. In the future, immersion cooling will become commonplace as GPUs surge past 150 kW. Most new data centres are being designed to house a combination of both AI and traditional workloads. Though a significant driver, even optimistic adoption scenarios suggest that AI will represent less than 50% of data centre demand in 2030, with traditional, lower-intensity workloads like data storage and cloud-based applications comprising most of the demand. “While not every data centre is or will be a specialised AI facility, all data centres – new and existing – can benefit from more energy efficient operations and improved technology integration,” comments Andrew Green, JLL Regional Data Center Practice Lead, Asia Pacific. “Data centre operators must contend with the demand for massive power needs while satisfying the need for more energy efficient facilities. AI is transforming data centre management through predictive maintenance applications, which optimise energy usage, lead to longer lifespans for equipment and result in less downtime.” Alternative energy solutions Forecasts suggest that global data centre energy demand could double over the next five years. While data centres consume large quantities of power, they are one component of the complex global power challenge. Furthermore, data centres are expected to represent only about 2% of global electricity consumption in 2025. A variety of other factors like increasing EV adoption, machinery electrification and rising power consumption in developing countries also contribute to growing power demand. Since data centres are often clustered together in metropolitan areas, significant bottlenecks in delivering power to new developments persist in some of the largest global data centre markets like Northern Virginia, Tokyo and London. Additionally, these clusters are unevenly distributed across the globe, resulting in some countries and regions where data centres account for a considerable proportion of total electricity demand. “Data centre developers evaluate markets based on the availability of a few key aspects, including power, land, connectivity and tax incentives,” notes Andy Cvengros, JLL Co-Lead US Data Center Markets. “Scarcity is only half of the power story; transmission is the other part. The time it takes to erect transmission lines and substations to connect new data centres to the grid can be up to four years or more in some markets. Both established and emerging markets will see higher development levels in 2025, along with more developers exploring other energy solutions like natural gas and fuel cells.” Being looked at as carbon neutral, large-scale nuclear power is emerging as a preferred alternative to traditional power, particularly for AI and high-performance computing applications. Companies worldwide are developing small modular reactors (SMRs), which, while still in the early stages, could offer a modular and scalable green energy power source at a fraction of the cost of large-scale nuclear. Though commercial deployment in the US is unlikely until 2030 for a variety of reasons detailed in the report, JLL anticipates more SMR announcements this year. Record financing for data centre development Investor appetite for data centres will remain strong through 2025 due to demand for compute power and data storage, low supply due to power scarcity, attractive returns and growing excitement around AI’s potential. JLL anticipates data centre development financing will have another record year in 2025, while global data centre trading volume is likely to moderately increase in 2025. “Data centre activity has exploded over the last few years, with much of the demand geared toward single-tenant ground-up construction,” states Carl Beardsley, US Data Center Leader, JLL Capital Markets. “Significant barriers to entry exist for new investors based on the amount of capital required as well as a longer development cycle. In 2025, we expect many opportunities for core investors to recapitalise the single-tenant data centres that continue to be built.” M&A investment volume and megamergers will likely slow, but JLL expects an increase in joint ventures in 2025, particularly in developing countries as industry firms partner with regional groups to help navigate the local political, regulatory and business landscapes. Despite challenges, including supply constraints and electricity limitations in some markets, the outlook for the data centre sector remains highly favourable, JLL states. It says that the industry is poised for continued growth, driven by AI adoption, increased data processing demands and ongoing technological advancements. JLL’s team of dedicated technical experts are trained and experienced in every phase of the data centre lifecycle to help its customers scale, optimise and maintain efficiencies in their data centre strategies. For more from JLL, click here.

Frankfurt data centre meets EU taxonomy criteria

maincubes, a developer and operator of data centres in Europe, and part of the DTCP portfolio, has announced that its newly constructed FRA02 data centre in Frankfurt aligns with the EU Taxonomy standard. This milestone underscores maincubes’ commitment to stringent environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and creating long-term value for investors and clients alike. The EU Taxonomy is the classification framework to determine whether an economic activity is considered environmentally sustainable in the context of the European Green Deal. The framework sets rigorous performance standards for projects to ensure substantial contribution to climate goals, such as emissions reduction and energy efficiency. In addition, the alignment approves that a project does no significant harm (DNSH) to other environmental objectives and does not infringe on human rights. Verified by Northshore, a specialist in data centre sustainability assessments, FRA02 meets stringent criteria for energy efficiency and emissions management, bolstering its credibility and minimising risks through validated compliance with the EU Taxonomy‘s sustainability criteria. By adhering to the EU Taxonomy’s high standards, maincubes establishes with FRA02 a benchmark for sustainability and operational excellence in the data centre industry. The data centre’s innovative design and energy-efficient operations serve as a model for the industry under increasing pressure to lower emissions and improve sustainability. “Achieving EU Taxonomy alignment for FRA02 underlines our commitment to sustainability and regulatory excellence. This important milestone contributes to shaping a more sustainable future for the data centre industry, while enhancing trust and transparency for our customers and stakeholders,” says Martin Murphy, Chief Operating Officer at maincubes. For more from maincubes, click here.

Durham University's data centre approved

Plans to build a cutting-edge data centre at the Aykley Heads business park in Durham have been given the green light, marking a significant step for Durham University and the region's technology ambitions. The facility, set to house a super-computer, data hall, and office spaces, will form a key part of the ongoing development aimed at attracting data-intensive businesses. While the university touts the project as a catalyst for job creation and economic growth, concerns have been raised by local groups over the potential job losses compared to original plans for the site. Approved by Durham County Council's planning committee on Friday (10 January 2025), the data centre project represents Durham University’s commitment to bolstering its research capabilities and contributing to the regional economy. The university anticipates the facility will act as a magnet for businesses, attract highly skilled workers, and provide valuable training opportunities for local talent. However, the approval hasn't come without reservation. The City of Durham Trust and the City of Durham Parish Council have both expressed disappointment, believing the data centre’s development deviates from the original vision of the business park. The 2021 masterplan for Aykley Heads had envisioned Plot D, the site of the approved data centre, as office space potentially capable of generating hundreds of jobs. Michael Hurlow of the City of Durham Trust criticises the current proposal, stating that "it failed to deliver on the promise of a high-quality business park”, and noting that it falls below the standards expected for the area. He argues that the alternative data centre plans undermine the potential for widespread job creation anticipated with office space. The City of Durham Parish Council further emphasises the stark contrast in employment figures, as estimates suggest a data centre would bring in only seven to 15 jobs, a significant drop compared to the projected 200 to 300 jobs associated with office development. Despite these concerns, a county council spokesman acknowledged the considerable difference in job numbers but maintained that both data centre and office development were consistent with the overall masterplan for the business park. They argued that the potential loss of jobs was not a sufficient reason to deny permission for the current proposal. A Durham University spokeswoman sought to alleviate the concerns, emphasising that the broader development that the data centre is a part of would ultimately generate new employment opportunities, attract businesses to the region, and equip local workers with in-demand digital skills. The University believes the long-term benefits of the data centre for the region will outweigh the immediate job discrepancy. While the approval of the data centre represents a significant step forward for Durham’s technological infrastructure, it has also sparked a debate about the balancing act between innovation and job creation. The situation highlights the complex considerations involved in development planning and the varied perspectives of stakeholders. As the data centre project progresses, close attention will be paid to its impact on the local economy and the fulfillment of promises regarding long-term regional benefits.

AWS Direct Connect Location available at Telehouse Osaka

KDDI Corporation, parent company to Telehouse, has announced today the availability of an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Direct Connect Location at its Telehouse Osaka data centre in Japan. Telehouse Osaka customers can now directly access over 240 AWS cloud services, including AWS's generative AI via AWS Direct Connect, a cloud service that links customer networks directly to AWS Regions (data centres) through a dedicated network from Telehouse Osaka. This enables low-latency and secure connections to their own cloud environments. Telehouse Osaka will reportedly be the first data centre in Japan operated by a Japanese telecommunications company to provide a dedicated connection point to AWS Direct Connect. Globally, this will be the third AWS Direct Connect site to implement the service, following Telehouse PARIS Voltaire and Telehouse London Docklands. Takeyuki Yanagisawa, General Manager, Connectivity DC Planning Department at KDDI, comments, “The AWS Direct Connect Location at Telehouse Osaka allows for the creation of a secure and private link between AWS cloud services and our customers’ IT systems within the data centre. This setup significantly enhances throughput and ensures stability of our customers’ networks.” “Additionally, by using the fibre core-based data centre interconnection service in the Osaka Business Park, customers can also access their IT infrastructure from other data centres.” For more from KDDI, click here.