News

North East England data centre hub launched

A consortium of North East engineering and manufacturing powerhouses have joined forces to launch a new not-for-profit forum designed to help shape and propel the future of the data centre sector in the region. The North East Data Centre Hub has been founded by major global companies including RED Engineering Design, Cleveland Cable Company, CMP Products, Durata, and RWO Associates. Together, the founding members says they share a clear ambition to build momentum by collaborating on the development of a strong local engineering, construction, and digital supply chain to support data centre projects across the region and beyond. Opportunities in the North East With the North East strongly positioned as one of Europe’s largest data centre and AI infrastructure hubs - driven by government policy, energy availability, and major hyperscale investment - the launch of the hub provides an opportunity to shape the conversation locally and accelerate growth through regular engagement. The initiative aims to unlock the region’s full potential as a leading data centre destination. To mark its launch, the consortium will host the North East Data Centre Hub’s first networking event (which is already fully booked) on 25 February, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm, at Liberty House in Newcastle's city centre. Speaking about the North East Data Hub and its first event, John McGee (pictured above), Group CEO at Durata, says, “The hub provides an excellent opportunity for professionals in the sector - from developers and operators through to consultants and suppliers - to collaborate, share innovation, and exchange best practice. "By strengthening local connections, we can amplify the North East’s contribution to the wider UK and global data centre market. “We are delighted with the companies spearheading this initiative. Each brings extensive global experience in delivering critical infrastructure projects and, by working together - and joining forces with other local businesses - we can build a strong, resilient regional supply chain that supports long‑term growth, investment, and skills development in the North East. “With registration already reaching full capacity for our first event, it’s clear there is strong appetite for a hub of this nature. Many delegates will be attending with a shared goal, and this is just the beginning. We have an exciting programme of events planned over the next 12 months, with much more to come from the North East Data Centre Hub.” The North East Data Centre Hub is open to organisations across the data centre ecosystem, with plans for a programme of bi-monthly events hosted across the region, featuring speakers and with the opportunity for discussion and continued networking. To be the first to know about upcoming events and industry news from the newly formed hub, you can sign up for alerts by clicking here.

Aggreko: Power supply will decide AI winners and losers

Following the publication of a report that states up to a third of US data centres are expected to be fully off-grid by 2030, Aggreko, a British multinational temporary power generation company, is warning that the European market could follow the same trend, noting that the provision of power will be the deciding factor in the companies and markets that draw the biggest benefit from the ongoing AI boom. Bloom Energy’s 2026 power report, which looks specifically at developments in the US data centre market, also indicates that data centres are already beginning to move from areas where the grid is strained to those that can offer more ample supply. For instance, Texas’s data centre load is set to double by 2028, while traditionally leading areas like California and Oregon are set to lose 50% of their relative market share. Billy Durie, Global Sector Head of Data Centres at Aggreko, believes that these findings are a sign of what is to come in Europe, stating, “I am not surprised by the findings of Bloom’s latest report. Securing a reliable power supply has long been the bugbear of data centre operators across the world, though increasing power demand driven by the development of AI is now taking this challenge to new extremes in the US and Europe. “Depending on which source you look at, AI is set to increase power demand by as much as 150% by 2035, which is why operators are either relocating or taking power provision into their own hands in an attempt to find a permanent solution. “In my experience, these trends tend to emerge earlier in the US than in Europe, though we can certainly expect this market to follow suit. While this is a global challenge, with older grid infrastructure and more severe strain in Europe, you could even argue that we will see an even more acute response on this side of the pond very soon.” Moving off-grid in Europe The effects of grid strain on European data centre development have been well documented. In Scotland, a recent study has indicated that AI data centres could consume up to 75% of the nation’s electricity, while in Switzerland, there are fears that Zurich’s grid no longer has capacity to deal with additional demand. With comparatively limited options for relocation in Europe, many data centre operators have already turned to decentralised energy, though fully off-grid facilities are yet to be realised on a wider scale. Among the most popular solutions available on the market today are stage-V generators for short-term projects, while gas generators, microgrids, and renewables coupled with battery energy storage systems (BESS) are all in-demand options for energy provision and bridging power during upgrades. Small modular reactors (SMRs) also hold a place in the plans of many stakeholders, though are not expected to be commercially available until the end of the next decade, requiring effective bridging solutions in the interim. Billy concludes, “For European data centre operators who don’t have the same power of relocation that their US counterparts do, the ability to reduce dependence on the grid will be critical. Fortunately, there are already many solutions already available to help them do this, and even more exciting technologies in development. "Whatever option they choose to deploy, one thing is certain: the ability to source a stable power supply will dictate the winners and losers of the AI boom.” For more from Aggreko, click here.

UK parliamentarians launch Data Centres APPG

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

PFX highlights its SOLUTHERM cooling fluids

PFX Group, a Canadian manufacturer of automotive and industrial fluids, has showcased its SOLUTHERM heat transfer fluid range at the 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, USA. The company presented its thermal management fluids at the Recochem booth during the event, which ran from 2 to 4 February. The SOLUTHERM range is designed to support HVAC system performance, including traditional heating and cooling loops and liquid cooling applications in data centres. The company states that increasing power densities, changing regulatory requirements, and evolving system materials are driving greater demand for effective thermal management. This is particularly relevant in data centres, where continuous operation and high-performance computing environments require reliable temperature control to support equipment performance and operational continuity. The SOLUTHERM range includes glycol-based heat transfer fluids designed to support system efficiency, temperature stability, and corrosion protection. Some formulations are developed to support environmental targets, including biodegradable options and fluids aligned with LEED building requirements. Jerome Dujoux, Vice President of Branding and Innovation at PFX Group, says, “HVAC and data centre cooling are no longer separate conversations. "As computing power increases and buildings become more energy intensive, thermal management is becoming a connective tissue between digital infrastructure and the built environment. That’s the shift SOLUTHERM is designed for.” Thermal fluids for HVAC and data centre cooling Among the products highlighted at the exhibition were SOLUTHERM PG HD and EG HD heat transfer fluids, designed for HVAC applications in facilities including hospitals, universities, and other critical infrastructure environments. The company also presented SOLUTHERM direct liquid cooling fluids, developed for servers and high-performance computing environments. These fluids are designed to operate across a wide temperature range, supporting data centre cooling requirements associated with increasing power density. Additional products included SOLUTHERM PG HD LEED heat transfer fluids, which use bio-based propylene glycol and meet ASTM D8039 corrosion testing standards, and SOLUTHERM PG AL Safe heat transfer fluids, developed for systems containing aluminium components such as boilers, water heaters, and heat exchangers. Tom Corrigan, Director of Research and Development at PFX Group, notes, “Heat transfer fluids are often treated as a commodity when, in reality, they influence energy efficiency, equipment lifespan, and system reliability more than most people realise. "We see thermal management as a strategic decision and that’s why SOLUTHERM is engineered for specific applications and backed with ongoing support.”

EUDCA publishes its new 2026 report

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), the representative body of the European data centre community, has announced the publication of its 2026 State of European Data Centres report. Building upon regional benchmarks established in last year’s report, the new data reveals a European market that has moved beyond the era of hub-centric development and is evolving into a distributed, energy-integrated, and AI-driven digital ecosystem. Europe’s data centre sector is shown to be entering a period of exceptional expansion, structural diversification, and rapid technological transformation, driven by AI hyper-expansion. However, its ability to fully exploit potential growth is threatened by energy availability and access. The new EUDCA report finds European market growth not only within traditional centres - such as the Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin (FLAP-D) - but also rapidly decentralising across Southern Europe, the Nordics, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and selected Tier2 metros. Moving from cloud-led growth to AI demand, data centres are now recognised as critical infrastructure underpinning Europe’s competitiveness and security. Growth and investment in Europe’s data centres Europe’s IT power capacity grew from 10,539 MW (2023) to 14,784 MW (2025), exceeding forecasts. Furthermore, €176 billion (£151.6 billion) in cumulative investment is expected from 2026–2031. Within this growth and investment, scale colocation campuses and AI-optimised facilities dominate new builds. A CAGR exceeding 25% through to 2031 is expected for scale colocation, reflecting rising demand for high-density cloud and AI clusters. Traditional retail and wholesale sites continue to expand, but their relative share of new capacity is declining as customers increasingly require multi-building, AI-ready environments with long-term scalability. Hyperscale data centre expansion is accelerating into regions with improving access to renewable energy and favourable operating conditions, as training workloads tend to favour regions with abundant power availability such as the Nordics and parts of Southern Europe. A notable driver of growth is the rise of neocloud, namely providers of ultra-high-density compute with rapid deployment capability and large power tranches aligned with the needs of AI developers, global model providers, and emerging cloud-adjacent platforms. Constraints and socioeconomic impact A significant factor affecting the industry is energy availability and access. Power availability is reported as the top challenge for more than two thirds (67%) of operators. Grid congestion and long connection timelines in many geographies are slowing deployment. Within these developments, AI clusters are pushing extreme rack densities beyond 100kW, calling for changes in data centre design, deployment, and operation, as well as driving a rapid shift towards liquid and hybrid cooling architectures. The European data centre industry continues to make a significant contribution to the economy and society. The report finds a €53 billion (£45.6 billion) GDP contribution in 2025, rising to an expected €137.5 billion (£118.4 billion) by 2031, with more than 300,000 direct, high-skilled jobs supported across the ecosystem. The facilities and campuses also bring local benefits, such as supporting district heating, providing energy grid flexibility services, renewable power purchase agreements (PPA) that support renewable energy development, and community infrastructure. Sustainability progress and regulatory alignment The industry’s rapid growth is firmly aligned with climate and regulatory expectations. The continued application of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) marks a new era of harmonised reporting and transparency for the industry. The vast majority (90%) of energy consumed by European data centres is now generated from renewable energy sources. At the same time, there has been strong progress on water usage effectiveness (WUE), renewable procurement, and heat reuse integration, addressing many of the concerns of the citizenry with regard to data centre facilities. There are outstanding examples of biodiversity, heat reuse, and community benefit projects across Europe. Global leadership and the next phase EUDCA Secretary General Michael Winterson comments, “The exceptional growth of Europe’s data centre market is welcome news at a time when international volatility has focused many geographies on digital sovereignty and security. “Once the issues of power availability and access are addressed, Europe has the opportunity to lead globally in AI-ready infrastructure, while maintaining the highest standards of sustainability and responsible stewardship.” The 2026 State of European Data Centres report clearly demonstrates the need for industry, policymakers, and partners to come together on bold steps to accelerate grid investment and permitting reform. This will require deeper and improved cross-border coordination to achieve greater collaboration on energy system integration. The report states that if these challenges are met, Europe will be positioned not only to accommodate growth in cloud and AI infrastructure, but to lead in the development of a secure, sustainable, and strategically independent digital economy. For more from the EUDCA, click here.

LFB data centre division rebrands as Apx

The data centre division of LFB Group, a European HVAC and refrigeration company, has rebranded as Apx, reflecting a shift in focus towards increasing performance, project complexity, and delivery requirements across the sector. The rebrand follows more than 20 years supporting server room and data centre operations across Europe. The company states the new identity reflects the growing role of cooling systems in high-density and AI-driven data centre environments. Apx has been formed from LFB Group’s dedicated data centre team, previously operating under the Lennox name. The business intends to focus on closer collaboration across design, development, and project delivery, alongside increased emphasis on engineering validation and pre-commissioning processes. Expansion of production and validation capability The company has expanded its facilities in Lyon, France, to support increased engineering, manufacturing, and testing capabilities. Additional sites in Genas, Mions, Longvic, and Burgos form part of a multi-site production and validation network, supporting precision manufacturing, automated testing, and climatic performance validation. Matt Evans, CEO at Apx Data Centre Solutions, says, “The industry’s dams have well and truly burst, with billion dollar projects and developments being announced almost every week. Keeping on top of this demand, though, has never been more important. “Today, collaboration is everything. Operators are searching for partners who can offer them both flexibility and agility, enabling them to build for the future while reacting quickly to what's happening right now. "That's where co-engineering becomes critical: by working with designers, contractors, and operators from day one, we can shape decisions together, anticipate challenges, and engineer solutions before they become problems. “While no-one can predict what's around the corner, one thing is clear: performance has to be proven earlier. It's been one of our grounding principles since the start - the idea that pre-commissioning must be core to every product's DNA. "By front-loading engineering, validating performance up-front and removing uncertainty before components reach sites, we give operators the head space - and time - to meet the demand. “The direction of travel is clear: scale, capacity, and density. And I couldn't be more excited about where we've taken this business. The new Apx name marks our next chapter and it's one we're genuinely proud to be part of.” Broader expansion The company has recently introduced three products aimed at data centre cooling applications, including a computer room air handler, fan wall unit, and coolant distribution unit (CDU). Apx operates within the wider LFB Group, which also includes HVAC manufacturer Redge and refrigeration specialist Friga-Bohn. The group has more than 60 years of experience in refrigeration and mechanical engineering. The company is also expanding its workforce, with recruitment planned across project management, operations, controls, commissioning, and sales support roles in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Apx expects its dedicated data centre team to grow to approximately 50 employees by 2027. For more from LFB Group, click here.

Keysight, Point2 collaborate to advance AI interconnects

Keysight Technologies, a manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment and software, and interconnects provider Point2 Technology have announced a collaboration to validate next-generation, multi-terabit interconnects intended to address scale-up connectivity constraints in AI and machine learning data centres. The companies are working together to test Point2’s e-Tube interconnect technology using Keysight’s high-speed digital test and measurement platforms. The validation work is focused on meeting the performance and reliability requirements associated with hyperscale AI infrastructure. As AI workloads increase bandwidth demand, hyperscale operators face challenges when scaling xPU clusters. Point2’s e-Tube technology uses RF data transmission over plastic waveguide and is intended to extend reach beyond traditional copper-based interconnects while reducing power consumption and latency. The approach is positioned as an alternative to conventional copper connections within high-density AI systems. Validating multi-terabit performance Keysight is providing validation and characterisation support to assess whether the interconnect technology meets hyperscaler requirements for reliability and signal integrity. The collaboration also enables early research and development work on emerging 3.2T interfaces, supported by high-speed electrical signal generation and advanced real-time and sampling analysis. The testing environment supports the generation and analysis of high-baud-rate PAM4 signals required for terabit-scale data transmission within AI systems. Sean Park, CEO at Point2 Technology, says, “A strategic partnership with Keysight gives us access to world-class engineering tools and support, allowing us to accelerate our e-Tube product development cycles. "The confidence that comes from validating our e-Tube platform using Keysight’s rigorous test equipment is invaluable as we engage with leading hyperscaler customers globally.” Dr Joachim Peerlings, Vice President of Network and Data Centre Solutions at Keysight, adds, “AI scale-up architectures demand disruptive innovation in physical interconnects. Keysight provides the industry’s trusted source of measurement truth, helping innovative partners like Point2 validate technologies quickly and confidently at multi-terabit speeds to achieve their next breakthroughs.” For more from Keysight, click here.

nLighten expands footprint through Paris site acquisition

nLighten, a European data centre operator, has announced the acquisition of a data centre in Émerainville, Paris from oXya, a provider of SAP cloud services and managed IT infrastructure. The facility becomes nLighten's eighth site in France and adds to its portfolio of over 30 data centres in seven markets. Strategically located in Paris's eastern data centre cluster, approximately one kilometre from nLighten's existing PAR1 facility, the site will continue serving anchor customer oXya under a long-term master services agreement, while additional capacity will be made available to enterprise customers via channel partners. The facility is designed to support high-density and AI-ready configurations, providing scalable infrastructure that evolves with customer requirements. nLighten says its approach emphasises delivering sustainable, interconnected infrastructure tailored to enterprise needs, with "seamless connectivity between [its] sites." Expanding digital infrastructure Harro Beusker, CEO and co-founder of nLighten, comments, "The acquisition of this Paris data centre represents a significant expansion of our French footprint and strengthens our position in one of Europe's most dynamic digital infrastructure markets. "Paris is a critical hub for regional connectivity and this facility enables us to deliver enhanced capacity and resilience to our enterprise customers. The proximity to our existing Paris sites creates operational synergies while also allowing us to support dual-site deployments. "This acquisition exemplifies our strategy of building smart, sustainable infrastructure that scales with customer needs and contributes to the digital transformation of European businesses." Anwar Saliba, Managing Director at nLighten France, adds, “This acquisition fully aligns with our ambition to build a distributed, locally operated digital infrastructure across France. "By adding capacity in the Paris region through three interconnected sites, we provide our customers with the conditions needed to deploy more resilient architectures, better secure their data, and meet growing requirements in terms of performance, service continuity, and digital sovereignty." Christophe Bronner, Group Chief Financial Officer at oXya, states, "We are pleased to see this data centre continue its evolution thanks to the partnership with nLighten. "This transition allows oXya to focus on its core business of delivering managed cloud services and consulting to our customers, while ensuring continuity and enhanced capabilities for our infrastructure needs. "We believe nLighten's expertise and commitment to sustainable operations will benefit both our organisation and the broader customer community.” For more from nLighten, click here.

Thorn, Zumtobel to exhibit at Data Centre World

Thorn and Zumtobel, both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group, are to present a "unified approach" to data centre lighting at Data Centre World 2026. The companies say the focus will be on three operational priorities for data centre operators and delivery teams: reduced energy consumption, reliable operation, and consistent control across white space, plant, circulation, and perimeter areas. The stand will outline how a coordinated lighting and controls strategy can support specification, installation, and ongoing operation across different data centre environments. The Zumtobel Group says its approach is intended to support consistency across projects, while also simplifying long-term maintenance and operational management. Lighting controls for data centres A central element of the stand will be the use of the LITECOM control platform, which is presented as a way to connect a defined portfolio of luminaires across different zones of a data centre. The companies say this is intended to support scheduling, presence detection, daylight strategies, scene setting, and portfolio standardisation. The stand will also feature TECTON II, shown as part of a continuous-row lighting infrastructure approach, which is designed to support rapid, tool-free assembly and future adaptation. Lighting applications on show will cover white space, technical areas, offices, and exterior zones. Products listed for demonstration include: • Thorn: Aquaforce Pro, ForceLED, Piazza, Omega Pro 2, IQ Beam • Zumtobel: IZURA, TECTON II, MELLOW LIGHT, AMPHIBIA, LANOS All are shown as being controlled via LITECOM. The stand design itself will be intended to reflect Zumtobel Group's stated sustainability principles, using reused and modular components from previous events, with minimal new-build elements. In addition, graphics have been consolidated to reduce printing and waste. Neil Raithatha, Head of Marketing, Thorn and Zumtobel Lighting UK & Ireland, notes, “Data centre customers need lighting that is consistent, efficient, and straightforward to manage. “Our presentation this year brings together proven luminaires with a control platform that helps project teams deliver quickly and run reliably, from the white space to the perimeter.” Thorn and Zumtobel will be exhibiting at Stand F140 at Excel London on 4–5 March 2026. For more from Thorn and Zumtobel, click here.

Case study: The data centre's shield against errors

In an industry where a single unplugged cable can stall a production line, "good-enough" labelling isn't an option. A leading automotive manufacturer faced a challenge: their cabling was becoming a maze of human error, threatening the uptime of their mission-critical services. The solution wasn't just better labels; it was a standardised identification ecosystem. By deploying industrial-grade materials and the high-volume BradyPrinter i7100, as well as the handheld M610, the manufacturer ensured that every rack and server remained clearly identifiable under any conditions. This move towards precision eliminated the guesswork that leads to accidental disconnections. The result? A solid infrastructure where technicians move with confidence. The operational resilience starts at the surface - with a reliable label that stays readable. Click here to read more and to learn more about reliable identification solutions for data centres. Meet Brady experts at Data Centre World (DCW) in London, UK, 4–5 March 2026, Booth F175. For more from Brady, click here.