Data Centres

W Denis launches insurance offering for data centres

W Denis, a UK-based, independent insurance broker, has launched a new specialist division focused exclusively on insuring data centres and their integrated power generation infrastructure. W Denis’ new division is unique in the insurance market by offering dedicated cover not only for the data centre buildings, plant, and technology, but also for the electricity generation assets, such as traditional CHP through to modern clean/green tech power, solar, wind, and hybrid systems, which provide resilience and independence from grid failures. Capacity in the billions (£/€/$) is available through either direct insurance or facultative reinsurance structures, arranged with global insurers and reinsurers. This enables support for single-site, multi-site, and portfolio programmes across diverse geographies. The offering includes a range of risk and insurance solutions for all phases of a data centre’s lifecycle: • Construction all risks (CAR), including delay in start-up• Operational property damage and machinery breakdown• Business interruption, including utility failure triggers• On-site power generation asset insurance• Third-party legal liabilities• Legal indemnities (e.g. planning, easements)• Cyber, data breach, and E&O exposures• Specialist claims support and advocacy In addition to insurance placement, W Denis says it provides clients with risk management consultation during pre-design, construction, and operational stages. This includes engineering risk reviews, loss prevention advice, and support with resilience planning. Mark Dutton, Chief Commercial Officer at W Denis, comments, “Data centres are among the most critical and energy-intensive assets in the modern economy. Our new division recognises that effective insurance must cover both the data and the power that keeps it alive. Our clients benefit from deep technical expertise, strong capacity, and joined-up coverage from build to operation.”

Aligned’s Phoenix data centre earns Three Green Globes

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced its latest Phoenix data centre to receive the Green Globes for New Construction certification from the Green Building Initiative (GBI). Aligned’s PHX-06 data centre received a rating of Three Green Globes for its success in resource efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and improvements in occupant wellness. “As the global demand for AI and high-performance computing continues to accelerate, we’re continuously looking for new ways to increase the efficiency and sustainability of our data centres, even as we keep pace with and anticipate the growth of that demand,” states Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned. “GBI's third-party review of PHX-06 resulted in an award of [the] Three Green Globes certification, which is a testament to our relentless pursuit of sustainable excellence. "This recognition not only validates the exceptionally high standards we set for environmentally responsible design and construction, but also underscores our unmatched speed of delivery, which enables massive, future-proof scalability across the Americas. Despite continuous innovation and ever-higher standards, Aligned remains the highest certifying data centre in the programme.” Aligned's Three Green Globes achievement for PHX-06 was driven by factors like reduced water usage, efficient cooling, and 100% renewable power. Another contributing factor to its certification is the company’s Adaptive Modular Infrastructure (AMI), which uses standardised, prefabricated modules for various building components. AMI seeks to sustainably accelerate deployment timelines and minimise waste by relying on repeatable manufacturing processes that produce fewer components and cut down on Scope 3 emissions through reduced onsite construction. “Achieving this level of sustainability is an outstanding accomplishment and Aligned should be proud of the strategies applied to the design and construction of this facility,” comments Vicki Worden, GBI CEO. “We look to data centre owner-operators to be responsible stewards of the planet’s resources, and Aligned continues to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability with its exceptional outcomes in energy efficiency, water conservation, carbon emissions reduction, and occupant health.” Founded in 2004, GBI is an international nonprofit organisation and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to improving the built environment’s impact on climate and society. GBI’s Green Globes third-party certification process involves a design and onsite assessment, evaluating environmental assessment areas including project management, site, energy, water, resources, emissions, and indoor environment. For more from Aligned, click here.

Panattoni launches into data centres with senior hires

Panattoni, a logistics real estate developer in Europe, has launched a new initiative to develop data centres across Europe, the UK, India, and the Middle East with the appointment of four senior specialists. Panattoni’s new dedicated data centres team will be led by Richard Wellbrock, who joins as Managing Director, Data Centres. He brings more than 25 years of real estate experience, including almost 20 years focused on the development of data centres - most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer at Colt Data Centre Services (DCS), a global data centre operator. Richard played a role in delivering large-scale data centre campuses across Europe and Asia, driving growth from 100MW to 1GW, including supporting a $1.5 billion (£1.1 billion) joint venture with Mitsui. Joining Richard Wellbrock at Panattoni are Nick Parker, Head of Capital Deployment; John Belton, Head of Development; and Paul Terry, Infrastructure Director. Nick Parker, who was previously Global Senior Director of Asset Management at Colt DCS, where he led more than €5 billion (£3.67 billion) in capital deployment strategies, supported transactions of around 250MW with hyperscale customers and played a role in structuring international joint ventures and investment strategy across India, Japan, and Europe. John Belton, who served as Global Senior Director of Development at Colt DCS, has around 40 years’ experience in engineering and data centre development. He managed Colt DCS’s global development portfolio, creating a pipeline capable of delivering more than 1GW of IT load across multiple countries. Paul Terry, who was Colt DCS’s Global Director of Development Infrastructure, led infrastructure design and delivery from land acquisition through to handover, managing major utility and technology programmes. All four will be based in London and report to Robert Dobrzycki, CEO and Co-owner of Panattoni Europe, UK, Middle East, and India. Robert Dobrzycki, CEO, comments, “This is a significant new chapter for Panattoni. Data centres are essential infrastructure for the modern economy and we are now building a world-class platform to deliver them. Richard and his team bring exceptional experience and insight.” Richard Wellbrock, Managing Director, Data Centres, adds, “Panattoni has an outstanding track record of development at scale and pace. With our team now in place, we’re looking forward to growing the business across Europe, the UK, India, and the Middle East, supporting hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise customers with high-quality data centre solutions.” Panattoni’s expansion into data centres builds on its existing experience in large-scale industrial and logistics development, which has seen it deliver more than 23 million m² across Europe.

Mansfield Pollard and BladeRoom announce partnership

Mansfield Pollard, a manufacturer of air handling units and environmental control systems, and BladeRoom Data Centres, a manufacturer of modular data centre systems and sustainable infrastructure, have announced a new partnering arrangement that paves the way for the businesses to collaborate and deliver cooling solutions for the fast-growing data centre market in the UK and globally. The new agreement builds on a 15-year-long relationship, during which time both businesses have used their history of developing engineering solutions to support the high-tech and mission-critical market of data centre cooling. Building on this foundation, the partnership will see the two companies collaborate on research and development to meet growing demand for advanced air- and water-based cooling solutions, supporting evolving AI and high-performance computing applications. Over 210MW of IT cooling has been delivered to date, and further systems are in production. These systems, the companies say, are designed to be "adaptable and forward-looking," accommodating new compute technologies while maintaining compatibility with legacy estates. As cooling requirements continue to increase with the latest chipsets and processing densities, the partnership intends to place added emphasis on "innovative" approaches, including hybrid system architectures that combine the strengths of air and liquid cooling. These designs aim to enable integration within new or existing facilities and support retrofitting strategies that extend the lifecycle of established data centres. Louise Ellis-Frankland, Chief Executive of Bradford-based Mansfield Pollard, says, "Mansfield Pollard and BladeRoom Data Centres have always been aligned in our values, especially when it comes to sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological advances. “Both companies have a strong focus on responsible manufacturing and driving innovation, making this partnership a natural evolution in our longstanding relationship." Will Thornton, Chief Executive of BladeRoom Data Centres, comments, "As a company that prides itself on delivering low-energy, high-efficiency data centre infrastructure solutions at any scale, our partnership with Mansfield Pollard adds a whole new dimension to what we can offer our clients. “Their innovative technologies align seamlessly with our commitment to dramatically reduce energy consumption and build the world’s most efficient, sustainable, and operationally superior data centres." Head of Sales for BladeRoom Data Centres Edward Dusting adds, “This collaboration also focuses on retrofitting our existing facilities with cutting-edge, energy-efficient cooling technologies, be that via air or water. “This ensures that already established data centre estates, such as those delivered for our partners Ark Data Centres, always achieve optimal performance whilst becoming future-ready, AI-optimised infrastructure ready for the next generation of innovation.”

Digital Realty collaborates with Vodafone Greece

Digital Realty, a provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre, colocation, and interconnection systems, has announced a collaboration with Vodafone Greece, a telecommunications, IoT, and 5G connectivity provider, to enhance Crete’s digital infrastructure and connectivity. This collaboration, according to Digital Realty, "underscores both companies’ commitment to fostering Crete’s emergence as a key connectivity hub in the Mediterranean." As part of this collaboration, Vodafone Greece will establish a point of presence (PoP) at Digital Realty’s HER1 data centre in Heraklion, the first carrier-neutral interconnection point for all cable landing stations in Crete. The facility will host customers’ submarine line terminating equipment, creating a link in the island’s connectivity ecosystem. Vodafone Greece intends to deploy a dual-route connectivity system between HER1 and its cable landing station in Tympaki in southern Crete to enhance capacity and resilience. These routes will also serve as backhaul services for major subsea cables landing in Crete by connecting to the HER1 data centre. Connectivity between Chania and Heraklion should also become more robust due to the Vodafone Greece terrestrial network, enhancing the infrastructure for cloud service providers, large enterprises, internet service providers, content delivery networks, and carriers. These developments also supplement Vodafone Greece’s existing connectivity services between Athens and Crete through Chania in the west and Sitia in the east. “This collaboration with Vodafone Greece marks a transformative moment for Crete’s digital infrastructure,” comments Alexandros Bechrakis, Managing Director of Digital Realty in Greece. “Our HER1 data centre is designed to establish Crete as a strategic digital hub which requires close collaboration with local, regional, and global partners. By supporting critical landing cables and enhancing regional connectivity, we’re reinforcing Crete’s position as a gateway to Southern Europe and beyond. This collaboration with Vodafone Greece reflects our shared commitment to delivering world-class digital services and infrastructure that empower local communities and businesses.” Nikos Plevris, Chief Network Officer, Vodafone Greece, states, “Our partnership with Digital Realty is another critical step in what we have managed to implement through the construction and operation of our submarine cable landing station in Tympaki, Crete. Having agreements in place on the interconnection for some of the largest subsea fibre optic cables in the world, we connect the country with the rest of the world, bolstering Greece's digital economy and offering new opportunities for our communities, partners, and the entire country. [By] combining our infrastructure in the area with Digital Realty’s, it is certain that we will build something truly impactful, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of this collaboration." For more from Digital Realty, click here.

Global data centres face rising climate risks, XDI report warns

Data centres are facing sharply rising risks from climate-change-driven extreme weather, according to a major new report released today by XDI (Cross Dependency Initiative), a company which is concerned with physical climate risk analysis. The company argues that without urgent investment in emissions reduction and physical adaptation, operators could face soaring insurance premiums, growing disruption to operations, and billions in damages. XDI’s 2025 Global Data Centre Physical Climate Risk and Adaptation Report offers a global picture of how extreme weather threatens the backbone of the digital economy. The report ranks leading data centre hubs by their exposure to eight climate hazards — flooding, tropical cyclones, forest fires, coastal inundation, and others — now and into the future and under different climate scenarios. It is based on analysis of nearly 9,000 operational and planned data centres worldwide. The report quantifies how targeted structural adaptations (changes to the physical design and construction of data centres) can dramatically improve resilience, reduce risk, and help curb escalating insurance costs. “Data centres are the silent engine of the global economy. But as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the physical structures underpinning our digital world are increasingly vulnerable,” says Karl Mallon, Founder of XDI (Cross Dependency Initiative). "When so much depends on this critical infrastructure and with the sector growing exponentially, operators, investors, and governments can’t afford to be flying blind. Our analysis helps them see the global picture, identify where resilience investments are most needed, and chart pathways to reduce risk." Key insights from the report include that: • Data centre hubs in New Jersey, Hamburg, Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moskva, Bangkok, and Hovestaden are all in the top 20 for climate risk by 2050, with 20-64% of data centres in these hubs projected to be at high risk of physical damage from climate change hazards by 2050. • APAC is the fastest growing region for data centre growth in the world, yet it also carries some of the greatest risk, with more than one in ten data centres already at high risk in 2025, becoming more than one in eight by 2050. • Insurance costs for data centres globally could triple or quadruple by 2050 without decisive mitigation and adaptation. • Targeted investments in resilience could save billions of dollars in damages annually. The report highlights that climate risk varies dramatically by location, even between data centres in the same country or region. This kind of like-for-like, jurisdiction-spanning analysis, XDI argues, is critical for guiding smarter investment decisions in new and existing data centres - helping asset owners, operators, and investors allocate capital where it will have the greatest impact on protecting long-term value. The report also reinforces that decarbonisation and adaptation must go hand in hand to safeguard the digital economy for the long term. Adaptation is essential, but the most resilient data centre is only as secure as the infrastructure it depends on — such as roads, water supply, and communications links — which are themselves vulnerable to climate hazards. Without ambitious and sustained investment in emissions reduction to limit the severity of climate change, no amount of structural hardening will fully protect these critical assets.

Debunking the myth: The world is not running out of data centres

Concerns about resource depletion are not new to economists. From fears of "peak oil" to anxieties over food shortages, history has shown that as demand surges, supply mechanisms adapt accordingly. Today, a similar narrative is emerging around data centres. A closer examination, however, reveals that, despite burgeoning demands, the industry is not approaching a resource-constrained peak. Instead, data centre infrastructure is evolving dynamically to meet increasing needs, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the expansion strategies of hyperscale companies. Daniele Viappiani, Portfolio Manager at GC1 Ventures, explores this further: The evolution of data centres: Scaling to meet demand Data centres are intricate ecosystems requiring stable electricity, advanced cooling systems, robust connectivity, and stringent security measures. While, theoretically, they can be constructed anywhere, optimal locations are chosen based on factors such as minimal natural disaster risk, proximity to essential infrastructure, and favourable environmental conditions. The industry is witnessing the emergence of massive, highly sophisticated data centres alongside smaller, modular facilities. These two complementary approaches combine to suitably address growing demand. Modular data centres are prefabricated units that offer rapid deployment and scalability, addressing the need for swift expansion. According to reports, the global market for modular data centres is projected to grow significantly, reaching $93.3 billion (£68.6 billion) by 2030, driven by the demand for plug-and-play solutions that can be deployed quickly to meet immediate needs. Addressing challenges: Labour, construction, and utilisation The complexity of data centres requires highly specialised labour, including engineers, electricians, and network experts, who are currently in high demand. Constructing large-scale data centres is a capital-intensive endeavour with lengthy lead times. While smaller facilities may take months, large centres can require up to three years to become operational.​ Despite this, existing data centres often operate below full capacity, allowing for short-term scaling. Many facilities are intentionally over-provisioned to manage utilisation peaks and accommodate growth, often running at under 50% utilisation. This design allows for the addition of servers or workloads within hours or days, provided the physical infrastructure supports it. Upgrading older servers to more efficient models can further enhance capacity, though limitations are primarily dictated by electrical and cooling infrastructures. Power constraints and regulatory hurdles Rapid expansion faces obstacles such as power grid limitations and zoning regulations, particularly in urban areas. The surge in electricity demand from data centres has led utilities to grapple with unprecedented power requests. For instance, Oncor Electric in Texas, USA, received requests totalling 119 gigawatts, far exceeding its current capacity. Utilities are responding by increasing capital spending and exploring infrastructure expansions, though challenges like overbuilding and rising construction costs persist. Zoning regulations also pose challenges, as finding suitable locations near physical infrastructure without overwhelming existing systems requires careful planning. In response, the industry is adopting innovative strategies, including the repurposing existing real estate such as old malls and factories, and expanding into emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Sustainability initiatives: Embracing renewable and nuclear energy With high energy consumption, sustainability becomes a priority, so investments in renewable energy, passive cooling, and nuclear power to overcome grid limitations are key. In 2024, renewable sources like wind, hydro, and solar provided a record 32% of global electricity, surpassing the 30% share in 2023. This growth aligns with the data centre industry's shift towards greener operations. Some companies are exploring nuclear power as a solution to provide massive, always-on power, free of carbon emissions. The US Department of Energy has identified federal sites, including major national laboratories, as potential locations for data centres aimed at accelerating AI development, leveraging existing energy infrastructure and the potential for expedited permitting, especially for nuclear energy projects. The AI boom: Assessing future demand The proliferation of AI has exacerbated concerns over increases in data centre demand. Training large models requires substantial computational power, contributing to a significant rise in electricity consumption. However, it's also possible that we may see diminishing marginal returns from using more data centres for AI and, eventually, demand growth could slow down. Emerging AI models requiring fewer processing chips may reduce future power needs, indicating that while current demand is high, future growth may stabilise. While concerns about data centre shortages are understandable given the rapid advancements in technology and increasing digital demands, the industry is demonstrating resilience and adaptability. Through the development of both massive and modular data centres, strategic location planning, investment in sustainable energy sources, and continuous innovation, the data centre sector is well-equipped to scale efficiently. The challenges remain significant, but with proactive strategies and technological advancements, the industry is poised to meet the demands of the digital era without approaching a resource-constrained peak.

EfficiencyIT announces partnership with MSSL

EfficiencyIT, a technology and data centre company providing consultancy, design and build services, and maintenance support, has today announced a formal partnership with Michael Smith Switchgear (MSSL), a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable electrical control and distribution equipment. With the intention to meet soaring demand for secure, scalable, and eco-conscious modular AI infrastructure in the UK and Europe, the alliance unites EfficiencyIT’s data centre engineering experience with MSSL’s switchgear manufacturing and installation capabilities. Building on EfficiencyIT’s ModularDC solutions and aligning with the UK Government’s recently published AI Opportunities Action Plan, the partnership seeks to help organisations across the governmental, enterprise, and life sciences sectors deploy resilient, scalable AI compute environments while achieving increases in sustainability. By collaborating from concept to delivery, EfficiencyIT and MSSL aim to reduce the time-to-deployment, cost, and environmental impact typically associated with accelerated computing infrastructure for HPC (high-performance computing) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. A partnership founded on sustainability Both EfficiencyIT and MSSL place an emphasis on sustainable innovation. EfficiencyIT holds PlanetMark accreditation and was recently recognised by its partner, Schneider Electric, as one of 16 EcoXpert partners globally for its sustainability impact. In recognition of its ongoing engagement in sustainable critical infrastructure operations, the company was also awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment into the Place and Quality of Supplier of IT Infrastructure Services by His Majesty King Charles III, recognising the company's delivery of sustainable IT infrastructure to the British Royal Household. MSSL, meanwhile, is also a Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Award winner and has spearheaded multiple sustainability initiatives in recent years, halving its carbon footprint, introducing renewable energy programs, and achieving carbon-neutral status for the first time in 2022. This track record has resulted in the company’s recognition through accolades and government case studies, most notably during COP26. Most recently, MSSL was honoured with The King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, highlighting its long-term commitment to sustainability in manufacturing. The new channel partnership aims to give customers access to prefabricated data centre systems manufactured and integrated in the UK, including next-generation UPS, low-voltage (LV) switchgear, and power equipment. Additionally, by sourcing and manufacturing ModularDC systems in the UK, both companies aim to help customers decarbonise the supply chain by reducing Scope 3 emissions, strengthening local supply networks, and aligning with the UK government’s call for “sufficient, secure and sustainable infrastructure foundations for AI.” A shared commitment to decarbonisation “As demand for AI infrastructure intensifies, the data centre industry cannot afford to compromise on security, sustainability, or resilience,” argues Nick Ewing, Managing Director at EfficiencyIT. “By formalising our partnership with Michael Smith Switchgear, we’re ensuring that organisations across the public and private sectors can rapidly scale their data centre and AI compute environments without compromising on environmental commitments, supply chain security, or regulatory compliance.” Sean Smith, Managing Director at MSSL, comments, “EfficiencyIT shares our passion for environmental stewardship and supporting UK-based manufacturing with the highest standards of sustainability. Our combined experience provides a powerful proposition for customers looking to accelerate their AI and high-powered data centre, energy, or electrical projects, and we look forward to collaborating to help meet and exceed these ambitions.” For more from EfficiencyIT, click here.

nLighten appoints Andreas Herden as MD for Germany

nLighten, a European edge data centre platform, has appointed Andreas Herden as Managing Director for Germany. In his new role, Andreas will lead the strategic development of the German market and drive the expansion of the local data centre network. Andreas brings decades of experience in the data centre and digital infrastructure sector. Prior to joining nLighten, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales for Continental Europe at Green Mountain. His career also includes acting as Chief Sales Officer at Lefdal Mine Data Centers and various positions at Equinix, including Sales Director for the automotive, finance, and manufacturing sectors. This background, the company believes, has solidified his reputation as a recognised industry expert. At nLighten, Andreas will focus on strengthening the company’s presence in Germany’s industrial and metropolitan regions to support its mission to deliver sustainable, high-performance edge infrastructure. Commenting on his appointment, Andreas says, “nLighten’s data centres are not only state-of-the-art from a technological perspective, but also follow a holistic approach that balances customer needs and environmental requirements. This is exactly what the market needs and where I want to make an impact. By creating an ecosystem that combines connectivity, performance, and sustainability at a new standard, nLighten is truly ahead of the pack.” Harro Beusker, CEO and Co-Founder of nLighten, adds, “We are delighted to welcome Andreas to our leadership team. His extensive experience and strategic vision will allow him to play a key role in expanding our presence in Germany and realising our vision of a sustainable, sovereign digital infrastructure.” For more from nLighten, click here.

Puglia 'Data Center Valley' set to become biggest AI hub in Europe

Puglia, a region of southern Italy located at the 'heel' of the peninsula, is seeking to redefine the digital landscape of the Mediterranean with the creation of the Puglia Data Center Valley, a development program that brings together three AI hyperscale data centre projects totalling more than 2 GW of power capacity. Data centre company Adriatic DC’s plans include the redevelopment of Bari’s former Manifattura Tabacchi industrial area into a 200 MW data centre, the development of a second 500 MW greenfield facility in Brindisi’s industrial area, and the Adriatic DC Hub, a 1.5 GW greenfield campus spanning 2,000 acres. Said hub is set to become the largest data centre complex currently under development in Europe and among the largest in the world, on par with the Stargate campus in the United States. This initiative arises from an unprecedented global demand for computing power - driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) - and aims to position Southern Italy at the heart of this epochal transformation. The overall strategy rests on solid infrastructural foundations. Puglia is the leading Italian region for electricity production from renewable sources, boasts operational international submarine digital backbones, and will soon be connected to the new Italy–Albania energy cable, designed to further strengthen the flow of renewable energy along the Adriatic corridor. In this context, the Regional Government of Puglia has established an interdepartmental working group on data centres, tasked with effectively coordinating permitting processes, defining technical guidelines, and facilitating dialogue with local authorities, thereby offering operators guidance and a dedicated institutional channel. "The Puglia Data Center Valley was created to place Southern Italy and Southern Europe at the centre of the new geopolitics of artificial intelligence," states Lorenzo Avello, CEO of Adriatic DC. "Global demand for computing power is growing at record rates. Our goal is to build an industrial platform capable of attracting strategic investment to projects with reliable execution timelines, generating skilled employment, and strengthening both European digital sovereignty and national data security. "Puglia offers industrial land availability, energy networks targeted for major future development by the TSO, global submarine digital links, and a favourable institutional environment - a rare and unique mix in Europe. We are firmly convinced that the south can position itself in the new global chessboard of artificial intelligence.” The first construction sites are scheduled to break ground by the end of 2026, with an initial investment phase of approximately €2 billion (£1.72 billion) for the first project. However, estimates suggest that, once fully operational, the total investment across the three projects - including direct, indirect, and infrastructure-related components - could exceed €100 billion (£85.88 billion) - an unprecedented level of capital for Southern Italy. The anticipated impacts include thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as the creation of new industrial supply chains in the ICT sector, such as AI-as-a-Service and cybersecurity. In a Europe that must accelerate toward strategic autonomy, digital resilience, and decarbonisation, the Puglia Data Center Valley seeks to position itself as an active platform, ready to engage with stakeholders in the global technological transformation.