News

Nxtra signs partnership with AMPIN

Indian data centre operator Nxtra (by Airtel) has signed a new agreement with AMPIN Energy Transition for an additional 125.65 MW of solar-wind hybrid energy via Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connected projects. This brings the total renewable energy capacity supplied to Nxtra by AMPIN to more than 200 MW. The added capacity will be delivered in two phases, through captive projects located in Rajasthan and Karnataka. These will complement AMPIN’s existing supply of solar energy to Nxtra through intra-state, open access arrangements in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Under the new agreement, AMPIN will expand its service to 11 additional states and introduce new technologies, including large-scale ISTS-based renewable energy and consolidated supply from a single Independent Power Producer (IPP). Ashish Arora, CEO of Nxtra, says, “Sustainability is not just a commitment, it is our responsibility and our opportunity to lead. "By powering our digital infrastructure with over 200 MW of renewable energy through our partnership with AMPIN, we are setting new standards for the industry. "This achievement highlights our leadership in using ISTS-backed clean energy to power our facilities sustainably, boosting reliability, and ensuring tangible climate impact. "At Nxtra, we are determined to drive innovation and inspire action, ensuring that our operations not only support India’s digital growth but also protect its environment for generations to come.” Pinaki Bhattacharyya, founder, Managing Director, and CEO of AMPIN, adds, “With this partnership, we demonstrate that through a seamless blend of inter-state and intra-state renewable energy solutions backed by a pan-India presence, we can take any customer through a nearly 100% energy transition. "Nxtra by Airtel, a leader in the data and fast-growing data centre space, shares our vision for sustainability and we are proud to make data centres green by this association.” AMPIN’s approach aims to establish long-term relationships with customers by offering energy supply across various technologies and regions. It says the collaboration with Nxtra highlights the role of large-scale renewable energy agreements in increasing operational efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Nxtra, likewise, says it has committed to reaching net zero emissions and is aligning its efforts with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidance. As part of this effort, the company is implementing a range of measures to reduce its direct (scope 1) and indirect (scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions. In June 2024, Nxtra joined the global RE100 initiative, pledging to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources. It became the first data centre operator in India, and the 14th Indian company overall, to join the programme. For more from Nxtra, click here.

EUDCA announces Board of Directors for 2025/27

Further to member voting during its annual general meeting (AGM) held on 11 June 2025, the European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), the representative body of the European data centre community, has announced its Board of Directors to steer it up to 2027. Board members met subsequently to appoint key positions and renew the mandates of existing committees and their leadership. A new Board to serve the EUDCA for 2025/27 Technical expertise, extensive experience, and commercial acumen is abundant across the Board, with knowledge spanning the entire data centre lifecycle, from investment and design to sustainability/ESG and operations. The EUDCA says that the "combined expertise of the Board is instrumental for the Association to advocate and serve its members." The Board now comprises of the following: • Lex Coors, Digital Realty — President of EUDCA & Policy Committee Chair• Laurens van Reijen, LCL Data Centres — Treasurer• Bruce Owen, Equinix — Vice President• Marie Chabanon, Data4 — Vice President, EUDCA & Technical Committee Chair• Isabelle Kemlin, Swedish Datacenter Industry Association — Vice President• Dick Theunissen, EdgeConneX — Vice President, EUDCA & NTA representative• Matt Pullen, CyrusOne — Board Member, EUDCA & CNDCP Chair• Adam Eaton, Global Switch — Board Member• Andrew Harrison, Arup — Board Member• Matthew Baynes, Schneider Electric — Board Member, EUDCA & NTA representative• Antoine Lesserteur, France Datacenter — Board Member• Stijn Grove, Dutch Data Center Association — Board Member, EUDCA & NTA representative• Michael Winterson, EUDCA — Secretary General Leading the EUDCA Lex Coors, Chief Data Center Technology and Engineering Officer at Digital Realty, unanimously retained his position as elected President to guide board and association operations. Michael Winterson continues as Secretary General, with Laurens van Reijen of LCL Data Centers as Treasurer. The EUDCA board also appointed four new Vice Presidents: Bruce Owen, Equinix; Marie Chabanon, Data4; Isabelle Kemlin, Swedish Datacenter Industry Association; and Dick Theunissen, EdgeConneX. As a founding member of the Climate Neutral Data Center Pact (CNDCP), the EUDCA maintains a permanent Board seat at the Pact. As such, the EUDCA says it is happy to re-appoint Board Member Matt Pullen as the representative to the Pact where he will maintain his Chair position. Michael Winterson, Secretary General, EUDCA, comments, “As Europe moves to deliver its goals for a booming digital economy and strong AI sector, its dependence upon digital infrastructure has never been more critical. "The EUDCA continues to serve as the independent voice for Europe’s data centre community, connecting with policy makers to add nuance to the legislative process for regulations that advance digital growth. “The EUDCA remains a trusted and authoritative voice for the data centre industry. In a world of changing sentiments, we maintain a focus on the efficiency and sustainability of data centre services through our close association with the CNDCP. "As a board, we remain committed to being at the forefront of shaping policy within Europe, protecting the interests of our constituents whilst looking after the planet.” EUDCA committees bolster leadership Having renewed the mandates of existing committees with some restructuring, the Policy Committee sees Lex Coors reappointed as Chair and Eve Fensome (Stack Infrastructure) as Deputy Chair. The Technical Committee will be led by Marie Chabanon as Chair and Chad McCarthy (nLighten) as Deputy Chair. National trade associations work with the EUDCA From the national trade associations, the three existing representatives - Stijn Grove, Dutch Data Center Association; Antoine Lesserteur, France Datacenter; and Isabelle Kemlin, Swedish Datacenter Industry Association - were confirmed as part of the board. For more from the EUDCA, click here.

Sitehop, Red Helix testing quantum-ready encryption

Sitehop, a UK startup focused on quantum encryption, has announced its partnership with Red Helix, a network and security testing company, to bring advanced testing in-house and to "supercharge" the critical speed-testing of its encrypted data transmission, utilising a Teledyne LeCroy Xena system. With support from a five-figure 'productivity grant' from South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority, Sitehop has invested in a Teledyne LeCroy Xena Loki 100G traffic-generation and testing platform, which enables bi-directional testing of sub-microsecond latency in 100Gbps networks. Bringing testing in-house has also reportedly eliminated delays and risks in export and customs, which included a minimum two-week turnaround at more than £18,000 per testing cycle. Previously, Sitehop relied on an outsourced facility in France, but the new UK-based set up enables them to complete testing in a single day, freeing the time of Sitehop’s engineering teams and boosting their productivity. Sitehop uses the Xena Loki device to test and validate its Sitehop SAFEcore platform, capable of 835 nanoseconds latency at 100Gbps encryption. The platform can support 4,000 concurrent connections, deploying "crypto-agile" encryption for use in sectors such as telecoms, financial services, government, and critical national infrastructure. Testing with the Xena Loki device covers peak load conditions, burst traffic, error injection and fault recovery, and end-to-end encrypted traffic flows. Multi-stream stress tests, mixed protocol environments, and real-time encrypted traffic benchmarking are part of the processes. According to the company, the "speed and accuracy" of the Xena Loki platform enables Sitehop to validate latency, throughput, packet-loss, and error-handling across different profiles. This is important to prove the Sitehop SAFEcore platform has the necessary performance and resilience in high-bandwidth, low-latency environments and is ready for new use cases such as 5G backhaul, wearable security technology, and the evolution of post-quantum cryptography. “Testing in this way is a strategic enabler for us, accelerating product release cycles and reducing the risk of field failure while providing clients with higher levels of confidence during procurement,” says Melissa Chambers, co-founder and CEO of Sitehop. “This is a major selling-point for enterprise and critical infrastructure environments.” “We are incredibly proud to be at the forefront of the next generation of British tech manufacturing and believe we are part of a resurgence of innovation in the UK. We are proving that deep tech, hardware innovation, and cyber resilience can thrive here. "As we expand globally and target high-assurance sectors, our ability to validate performance independently and rapidly becomes a cornerstone of our growth model. The grant we received has been hugely important, enabling us to bring a critical capability in-house that has accelerated our growth momentum.” Baseline validation using the Xena Loki device is in line with the benchmarks RFC 2544 and Y.1564. In practice, however, the Sitehop SAFEcore system - the company claims - "frequently outperforms the scope of traditional methodologies, requiring custom profiles including simulated threat-scenarios, multi-session encrypted traffic under dynamic key exchange, and adaptive stream-shaping." Liam Jackson, Director of Technology Solutions at Red Helix, comments, “We are thrilled to work with Sitehop, an exciting start-up company demonstrating that hardware-based security innovation is alive and well in the UK. "Testing quantum-ready security platforms requires precise accuracy, reliability, and sustained high-speed throughput, which software-only traffic-generation tools can struggle to deliver. "Sitehop understands this, and by harnessing the hardware-based Teledyne LeCroy Xena Loki platform, it hugely accelerates essential testing, gaining the speed, precision, and confidence to bring its cutting-edge solutions to market faster without impacting quality.”

DCNN supports new National Data Centre Day initiative

DCNN is proud to support the launch of National Data Centre Day, a new annual awareness initiative recognising the critical role that data centres play in powering the UK’s digital economy, public services, and AI-driven future. Taking place each year on 12 September, the day is set to commemorate the moment in 2021 when data centres were formally recognised by the UK Government as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This classification reflects their essential role in maintaining the digital systems and services that modern society relies on, from banking and healthcare to smart cities and generative AI. National Data Centre Day aims to celebrate the innovation, sustainability, and skilled people behind the industry, while encouraging greater awareness and engagement across the UK. As one of several industry supporters backing the campaign, DCNN encourages its readers, partners, and the wider community to learn more and get involved. Visit the website to find out how to take part.

Mitsubishi partners with Modius

Japanese multinational engineering company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has signed an agreement with US-based Modius to integrate its OpenData data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) platform with MHI’s power, cooling, and control technologies. The collaboration will focus on delivering a comprehensive offering for data centre energy management (DCEM) on a global scale. Modius’s OpenData DCIM software provides real-time visibility into critical infrastructure, supporting improved capacity planning, energy efficiency, and uptime. The platform has been deployed in over 250 sites worldwide and includes AI/ML-based analytics to support proactive maintenance and operational optimisation. The integration of Modius’s platform into MHI’s data centre portfolio seeks to enhance the company’s ability to offer customers real-time diagnostics, predictive insights, and greater control over facility performance. The OpenData AI/ML module is designed to recognise normal operational patterns and flag anomalies early, allowing data centre operators to "respond before issues escalate." “With the addition of the Modius DCIM platform to our digital portfolio, we can offer enhanced services to both existing and new customers seeking visibility and operational optimisation in next-generation data centres,” claims Shin Gomi, Senior General Manager, DCEM at MHI. “MHI remains committed to supporting sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure.” Craig Compiano, President at Modius, adds, “MHI’s global presence and its alignment with our mission to drive efficiency, improve sustainability, and optimise performance in data centres make this collaboration a strong match. We look forward to working together to support facilities worldwide.”

Ex-Google Lauri Ikonen joins Polarnode

Polarnode, a Finnish data centre developer that focuses on environmentally sustainable data centre construction and operation, has announced the appointment of Lauri Ikonen as its new Head of Technology, effective from 1 September. The appointment comes as the company accelerates its growth strategy to aim to become a leading data centre platform across the Nordic region. Ikonen joins Polarnode at a time of increasing demand for data centre capacity across the Nordics. He brings more than two decades of experience in large-scale infrastructure, with a particular focus on mission-critical operations, backup power, and cooling technologies. From 2016 to 2023, Ikonen held a series of senior roles at Google’s data centre organisation, including Site Lead and Site Operations Manager at the company’s Hamina campus in Finland. During this period, the site expanded significantly, and daily operations grew to support approximately 400 personnel. More recently, he served as Chief Strategy and Operating Officer at UpCloud, where he was responsible for strategic management, operational oversight, and service reliability across 13 global data centre locations. His earlier career includes leadership roles in ABB’s Power Division, where he worked on industrial-scale infrastructure and service management. “We are thrilled to welcome Lauri to the team,” says Mikko Toivanen, Chair of the Board at Polarnode. “His deep experience in managing and scaling hyperscale data centre infrastructure will be instrumental as we accelerate our development strategy and respond to the growing market need for high-performance, sustainable, and resilient data centre capacity.” In his new role, Ikonen will lead Polarnode’s technology strategy and oversee the design and implementation of upcoming sites. He will also guide the company’s entry into colocation services, supporting its long-term ambition to deliver clean, high-performance infrastructure to support the growing digital economy. “The Nordic region is rapidly becoming a global hub for digital infrastructure,” comments Lauri. “Polarnode is well positioned to lead that transformation with its forward-thinking approach. I’m excited to contribute to its next phase of growth.” Polarnode is 100% Finnish-owned and has so far announced major data centre developments in Lappeenranta, Nokia, and Pori.

Kao Data appoints new Chief Business Officer

Kao Data, a developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, has announced that Clinton Hasell has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Business Officer. A seasoned, board-level executive with over 30 years of commercial and operational experience across the data centre, telecoms, and digital infrastructure sectors, Clinton has been named Chief Business Officer to spearhead the optimisation of Kao Data’s core business operations. This includes the key responsibility for the company’s technology deployments and enterprise-level reporting. Within his new role, Clinton will also lead the development function for Kao Data’s advanced infrastructure platform, aligning the organisation’s UK and European expansion plans. “I am excited to move into my new role as Chief Business Officer and to work together with both our C-Suite and our talented organisational teams to help drive the company’s growth objectives from inception to delivery,” comments Clinton Hasell, new Chief Business Officer, Kao Data. “Kao Data has established a market-leading position as a data centre developer and operator at the bleeding edge of AI deployment and it’s fitting we use the power of AI and advanced computing to deliver true business transformation.” “On behalf of the company and our board, I am delighted to welcome Clinton Hasell to the Senior Management Team as our new Chief Business Officer, and at a time of transformation and evolution for the company,” says David Bloom, founder and Executive Chairman, Kao Data. “Clinton has been a key part of our team for some time within a consultancy capacity, and it’s a fantastic endorsement of our future plans and ambitions that we have permanently secured his contribution as we develop new sites to scale our data centre platform across the UK and Europe.” Prior to joining Kao Data, Clinton was a member of the Global Switch management team where, as Executive Group Director, Europe, he was responsible for maximising profitable growth across its European division. He also held senior leadership roles at Interxion, from its $1 billion (£744 million) IPO in 2011 to its $8 billion (£5.95 billion) acquisition by Digital Realty Trust in 2020. For more from Kao Data, click here.

Aligned announces new mega-scale AI campus in Ohio

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced a significant expansion in Central Ohio with the planned development of its new data centre campus inside the Conesville Industrial Park. Aligned will develop a 197-acre parcel adjacent to the former AEP Conesville Power Plant. This development aims to revitalise the legacy brownfield site and spur commercial development, converting it into an economic epicentre for Coshocton County and the state of Ohio. "Through this strategic expansion, Aligned not only reinforces its commitment to providing future-ready digital infrastructure in vital growth markets, but also directly catalyses billions of dollars in investment for the state of Ohio and the Coshocton County community,” claims Andrew Schaap, Aligned’s CEO. "We are proud to see this investment revitalise a critical legacy site. It lays a powerful foundation, drawing new industries, creating high-quality jobs, and unlocking significant future opportunities for Southeast Ohio." Representing a multi-billion-dollar investment, this phased development is anticipated to generate thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-quality, long-term operational roles, ultimately boosting the local economy. Data centres in Ohio reportedly contribute significantly to local economies, generating substantial tax revenues that support public services and local infrastructure improvements. Aligned says it is also committed to local community engagement, including partnerships that support educational programs and environmental initiatives, intending to "ensure a positive and lasting impact in Coshocton County and the surrounding areas." Aligned’s new multi-building campus has already secured a foundational customer for its first data centre, targeting initial capacity delivery mid-2026. This is Aligned’s third data centre campus in Ohio. For more from Aligned, click here.

Ryze develops brand for data centre newcomer, Latos

UK creative agency Ryze has delivered a full brand identity for Latos, a fast-growing data centre developer building a UK-wide network of AI-ready facilities to support the country’s digital infrastructure. From strategic positioning through to messaging, identity, and digital design, Ryze has developed the Latos brand from the ground up. With a focus on fast-scaling technology and SaaS firms, the agency says it aimed to deliver a brand that communicates Latos’ ambition to build smarter, more sustainable infrastructure without the use of technical jargon. The project arrives at a time of rising demand for UK data centres, driven by increased AI adoption and government infrastructure investment. Chipmaker NVIDIA recently identified the UK as a “critical node” in its global expansion strategy. David Smith, Founder of Ryze, comments, “The Latos brand evokes ambition, energy, and a sense of clarity. "Visually, we avoided the conventional clichés of the sector and instead built a brand that moves – a timeless, modern foundation with a dynamic, confident colour palette and a distinctive icon set that adapts to different platforms and partners. "It’s a future-facing brand for a future-building company.” Peter Wilcock, Board Member at Latos, adds, “We’re not interested in doing what everyone else does. The market’s already full of that. "Our vision is about scale and creating smarter, more agile builds that fit the needs of today’s digital infrastructure. "Having a brand that reflects that disruption isn’t just useful, it’s essential. It’s how we connect with the right partners and show the market who we are.” Latos is currently developing 11 UK sites, with plans to establish 40 facilities by 2030. The company’s standardised designs are intended to enable faster rollout and regional deployment, with all sites built for high-performance computing and real-time AI. “This wasn’t just about giving Latos a logo but about shaping a brand that could open doors, attract capital, and be bold in a sector where most look and sound the same,” David concludes. “That thinking runs through all of our work, whether it’s for a SaaS platform or data centre developer, because strong branding isn't defined by sector or subject matter, but by ethos and purpose.”

STULZ invests in Hamburg production facility for liquid cooling

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, has invested in a new production facility dedicated to liquid cooling systems at its headquarters in Hamburg. The expansion reflects the company’s focus on meeting growing demand for advanced cooling systems across high-performance computing and AI-driven data centres. The site extension enables closer collaboration between STULZ’s research and development, product management, and service teams, aiming to improve internal coordination and streamline workflows. According to the company, this will accelerate the delivery of liquid cooling innovations, reduce time to market, and enhance customer support capabilities across global markets. “Liquid cooling is a highly effective way to efficiently dissipate heat from the sensitive IT equipment found in modern data centres,” says Jörg Desler, Global Director Technology at STULZ. “Liquid cooling solutions must therefore be manufactured to the highest standards, with rigorously tested materials, modern quality management, efficient production processes, and qualified and experienced personnel. "We are proud to have these attributes in place in Hamburg and are already expanding upon them with our new production facility.” STULZ offers a range of liquid cooling systems which it says are tailored to the needs of modern data centre environments. These include configurable complete systems, advanced chillers with free cooling functionality, and modular technologies for scalable, high-density deployments. The company states that all offerings are designed for precise temperature control, reliability, and sustainability. Among the products manufactured at the new facility is the CyberCool CMU cooling distribution unit, which enables control over both the facility water system and the technology cooling system. It manages coolant flow, temperature, and pressure across both sides of the liquid cooling infrastructure, with the aim of improving efficiency. The unit is available in two sizes and provides a continuously variable output of up to 1,380kW. It can also be customised to meet specific project requirements. The CyberCool CMU is produced in Hamburg and distributed to customers across the EMEA and US regions, while other STULZ production sites supply additional global markets. New variants and expanded product sizes are currently under development, supported by ongoing investment in the Hamburg facility. “With this expansion of our production capabilities, we are demonstrating our commitment to Hamburg and thus creating a further basis for growth, innovation, and sustainable employment, even in the face of international competition,” adds Jörg. “The development of liquid cooling for high performance computing and AI-driven data centres is a key component of our strategy to strengthen technological leadership and uphold our high standards of quality and service.” For more from STULZ, click here.