News

DataVita earns UK's first 'gold standard' OCP status

DataVita has become the first data centre operator in the UK to achieve an industry-leading accreditation - Open Compute Project’s (OCP) Ready for Hyperscale certification - recognising the capabilities of its DV1 facility in supporting high-density workloads and AI. So far, this certification has only been awarded to three other companies in Europe and is one of the sector’s most recognised and sought-after accreditations. The initiative is designed to give recognition to multi-tenant data centres that can accommodate the larger scale, higher density and more advanced infrastructure requirements of hyperscale operations – including the ability to provide liquid cooling. A rigorous assessment included elements such as logistics, site access, foundational building infrastructure and network connectivity, as well as DataVita’s commitment to innovation, efficiency and sustainability at its DV1 facility located in Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire. Underpinned by its focus on infrastructure for high-performance computing (HPC) and AI, the company recently announced plans to grow data centre capacity to 1GW in central Scotland over the next five years, powered by independent renewable energy sources. Danny Quinn, Managing Director of DataVita, says, “Achieving what is widely considered one of the gold standards in industry accreditations solidifies our position as a market-leader and confirms the expertise we have for handling high-density levels of computing. AI has huge growth potential for the future and has quickly become a core focus for the business, and we have invested heavily in making sure we can support the infrastructure that it requires. “Scotland’s mix of renewable energy – with the lowest carbon intensity compared to anywhere else in the UK – and a naturally cooler climate means we can also offer significant sustainability benefits for global customers. Only a few facilities have liquid cooling capability, for example, but we can do it with a lower carbon footprint. “Our goal is to ensure that AI adoption does not come at the expense of the environment. The OCP status reflects that, and we hope it will open up new conversations with existing and potential clients considering locating in Scotland.”

Second Yondr data centre goes live at London campus

Yondr Group has achieved the first phase of completion at the company’s second data centre on its 100MW London campus. The facility now has 10MW of the building’s 30MW capacity live and operational. The achievement is the latest in a series of project milestones for Yondr’s London campus, with the first building entering into operation in the summer of 2024, and work commencing on a third 40MW data centre earlier this year. Located in Slough, West London, the UK’s largest data centre ecosystem, Yondr’s second facility on its London campus has been designed with sustainability in mind, aligned with Yondr’s ESG strategy and net zero target for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030. A BREEAM ‘Very Good’ building, it delivers a better than industry standard annualised power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.21, has solar PV panels on the roof, and a green wall on the southern façade, with a horticultural management plan in place to ensure this matures and thrives throughout the operational phase of the building. The building also has a number of electric vehicle parking spaces. Yondr has worked collaboratively with Slough Borough Council and the Canal & River Trust on the design of all three buildings on its London campus, ensuring that the development enhances the local area. Located on the site of a former paint factory, the project has involved extensive ground remediation works to remove lead and chemicals. Yondr is upgrading a local cycleway and providing bat and bird boxes as part of the development. The project has also been the starting point for an apprenticeship programme that will see the London campus accommodate four apprentices by the end of 2025. Peter Hill, VP of Design & Construction EMEA at Yondr comments, “Our London campus is being delivered at pace and to a very high standard of reliability, resilience and sustainability. It fulfils our commitment to meeting our client’s requirements while strengthening Slough’s position as a key global hub for data centre capacity.” “Achieving the first RFS phase on the second facility marks another major milestone for our London campus, as we transform a derelict manufacturing site into a state-of-the-art data centre that will support the urgent global need for data capacity and the UK’s ambitions as a leader in digital industries.”

Cyber attacks drop by nearly 10%

Four in 10 (43%) of UK businesses and 30% of charities experienced cyber attacks or data breaches in the last 12 months, according to the latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey. While this marks a slight decrease from last year’s 50%, the threat level for medium and large businesses remains alarmingly high.  The average cost of the most disruptive breach was estimated at £1,600 for businesses and £3,240 for charities. The drop in incidents is attributed mainly to fewer small businesses reporting breaches – but government officials warn against complacency. With cyber threats increasingly targeting critical infrastructure, the UK Government is introducing the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, compelling organisations to strengthen their digital defences. The survey found that 70% of large businesses now have a formal cyber strategy in place, compared to just 57% of medium-sized firms – exposing a potential gap in preparedness among mid-sized enterprises. There has been a notable improvement in cyber hygiene practices among smaller businesses, with rising adoption of risk assessments, cyber insurance, formal cyber security policies and continuity planning.  These steps are seen as essential in building digital resilience across the UK economy. However, the number of high-income charities implementing best practices such as risk assessments has declined. Insights suggest this may be linked to budgetary pressures, limiting their ability to invest in adequate cyber security measures. Sawan Joshi, Group Director of Information Security at FDM Group, comments, “Keeping banking systems online is becoming more challenging, and technology alone isn’t enough. Skilled IT teams are crucial for spotting risks early and responding quickly to prevent disruptions. Organisations need to invest in ongoing training so their staff can strengthen system defences and recover fast when issues arise. A mix of advanced monitoring, backup systems, and a well-trained workforce is key to keeping services running and maintaining customer trust.'" The Government has also confirmed that UK data centres are now officially designated as critical national infrastructure. This means they will receive the same priority in the event of a major incident - such as a cyber attack - as essential services like water and energy.

2025 ESG Report: Data centre environmental impact

Structure Research has released its latest 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, providing an in-depth look at the environmental footprint of data centre providers and hyperscale platforms. The report captures sustainability metrics from 26 data centre operators and nine hyperscale cloud platforms, offering a unique snapshot into carbon emissions, energy consumption and water usage across the global infrastructure ecosystem. The 2025 ESG Report finds that while data centre energy usage continues to rise - now accounting for more than 1.1% of global energy consumption - average carbon emissions per unit of energy consumed are trending downwards, driven by the growing adoption of renewable and carbon-free energy sources. Total energy usage increased from 178.5TWh in 2019 to 310.6TWh in 2024, while emissions intensity fell from 366.9mtCO2e/GWh to 312.7mtCO2e/GWh over the same period. “Data centres are foundational to the modern digital economy, and that means they carry a growing environmental responsibility,” says Philbert Shih, Managing Director of Structure Research. “What this report shows is that while energy consumption continues to climb, providers are making meaningful progress in efficiency and renewable adoption. The industry is clearly moving in the right direction - but transparency and accountability will be critical as sustainability expectations evolve.” Key findings from the report Sustainability progress amid rising demand · Energy usage by ESG Leaders grew 17.9% over the last five years, while renewable energy consumption increased by 27.9%. · Hyperscalers now use renewable sources for approximately 91% of their total energy needs; data centre providers reached 62%. · Carbon-free energy, including nuclear, is emerging as a key part of the data centre energy mix as power constraints grow in Tier 1 markets. PUE and water efficiency improvements · Average Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) for data centre providers declined from 1.44 in 2019 to 1.38 in 2024, while hyperscale PUEs remained at an industry-leading 1.22. · Data centre water consumption increased by 9.6% over five years, driven by demand for liquid cooling to support AI workloads and higher rack densities. The report introduces the Structure Research Sustainability Quadrant (SRSQ), a benchmark framework ranking providers based on transparency, operational efficiency and renewable energy usage. The SRSQ aims to encourage better reporting standards and highlight leaders in environmental performance. Structure Research’s analysis found that ESG reporting across the sector is becoming more common, though significant variation remains in the scope and depth of disclosures. The report emphasises the importance of transparency in environmental reporting and urges providers to include more granular, region-specific data in future disclosures. The 2025 ESG Report is a tool for hyperscalers, colocation providers, enterprises and policymakers seeking to understand the environmental implications of data centre growth and how industry leaders are responding.

Vertiv upgrades SmartAisle for efficient edge computing in EMEA

Vertiv has announced a significant upgrade to its Vertiv SmartAisle solution, designed specifically for edge computing applications up to 180kW. Now available across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), this complete pre-engineered system combines power, cooling, racks and advanced management and monitoring capabilities in a single integrated unit, designed to simplify and quicken edge computing deployments. In line with the European Union Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) the system provides energy efficient operation and includes power usage effectiveness (PUE) monitoring to help organisations track operations alongside their responsible business goals.  "The upgraded Vertiv SmartAisle really changes the game when it comes to effective and successful edge deployments", says Giuseppe Leto, Senior Director IT Systems Business at Vertiv in EMEA. "We've made it easier, faster and more cost-effective for businesses to scale and grow their IT operations. The pre-engineered system eliminates the traditional challenges of planning of multiple equipment installations and logistics while providing customers with a complete, reliable end-to-end solution that allows data centre operators to monitor energy efficiency requirements following the latest EU regulations.” The embedded Vertiv RDU501 intelligent infrastructure management appliance allows data centre operators to control system operations in real-time 24/7, offering a consolidated and easy to use monitoring and management platform. In addition, the Vertiv approach to pre-engineered, edge smart solutions helps organisations reduce planning, design and site preparation time by up to 80% while lowering deployment costs by up to 30% compared to a brick-and-mortar alternative, while the integration of all components is designed to achieve up to 20% higher energy efficiency compared to industry averages.  Vertiv SmartAisle is part of Vertiv’s growing portfolio of flexible, fully pre-engineered modular solutions. The system is available as standard in four different reference designs, with the ability to scale up to 180kW IT load and features N+1 redundancy for both power and cooling systems.  Key features and benefits include: · Advanced 24/7 monitoring of energy consumption and capacity management  · Precise environmental monitoring with six sensors per server rack · High efficiency, modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems  · Power distribution through power bars or floor-mounted PDUs · Integrated power monitoring via rack-mounted power distribution units (rPDU) · Adaptive direct expansion cooling system with 20-100% modulating capacity · Enhanced thermal efficiency through cold aisle containment · Advanced physical security with e-handles and IP cameras · Scalable architecture enabling standardised deployment across multiple edge sites

New digital gateway for Southern Europe

Schneider Electric and Digital Realty are delivering a new digital gateway for Southern Europe - the new HER1 Data Center in Heraklion, Crete. Launched earlier this week as the first carrier-neutral facility on the island, HER1 plays a critical role in reducing Southern Europe’s digital connectivity and infrastructure gap by enabling the interconnection of international, regional and local subsea cables, empowering cloud, telco and content delivery networks (CDNs) to better serve the surrounding regions. Working in tandem with fast-growing markets including Athens, Barcelona, Marseille, Rome and Tel Aviv, HER1 forms a central part of Digital Realty’s Mediterranean data centre platform and takes a major step towards establishing Greece as a strategic connectivity hub for Southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Following a successful prefabricated data centre deployment at its Marseille 2 (MRS2) facility, Digital Realty leveraged a turnkey, Tier III solution from Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Modular Data Center portfolio to overcome a host of challenges at HER1. They included requirements for accelerated speed-to-market with a target to become operational within 12 months, increased levels of energy efficiency, and off-site production, testing and delivery due to HER1’s remote location in Crete. To achieve this, Schneider Electric provided a purpose-built solution including two, fully integrated, prefabricated power modules containing MV, transformers, LV, UPS equipment and air-cooling systems. Additionally, it deployed two, large-scale, all-in-one Data Halls, complete with power, cooling and IT, utilising Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure monitoring solution for buildings management and electrical power management systems (EPMS). Further, Schneider Electric provided the compete spectrum of data centre design, build and consultancy services, including all mechanical, electrical (M&E) and software equipment, production, assembly, commissioning and security services. This enabled Digital Realty’s HER1 facility to meet its demanding deployment timeframes, while minimising the risk of failures during its on-site installation.   "Digital Realty’s substantial investment in our new Heraklion data centre highlights our dedication to establishing the Mediterranean as a global connectivity hub, connecting continents and enabling digital transformation,” says Fabrice Coquio, SVP Digital Realty in France. “Thanks to our strategic partnership with Schneider Electric, we are accelerating the time to market of this critical project to quickly meet the surging digital traffic demands in the region, while enhancing network resilience and diversity for enterprises and communities alike." Due to its geographical location and the ongoing investments in submarine networks such as 2Africa, Andromeda, East to Med Corridor (EMC), Medusa and Thetis, many organisations are selecting Crete as a strategic destination for cable termination and data centre deployments - transforming the region into a global interconnection hub that brings multiple continents together. HER1, Digital Realty’s first carrier-neutral data centre in Crete, is located next to the landing point of several subsea cable systems and will offer a highly resilient data centre capacity to the cloud, subsea cable and connectivity communities.

Portman Partners introduces recruitment service for data centres

Portman Partners is making a strategic investment in Flint DC, a new no-nonsense rapid-hire recruitment service specifically designed to provide data centres industry with the talent and expertise it needs, and help it overcome the ongoing talent challenge it faces at a crucial growth phase. Currently, the sector relies upon the traditional contingent recruitment model, which is proving to be ill-suited for the industry, says Mike Meyer Managing Partner of Portman Partners. “The data centre industry is predicted to be powering up the future but it is failing to find and attract the right talent to build it today,” he says. “There are some great recruiters out there but contingent recruitment processes, combined with emerging recruiters who have limited industry knowledge, and an influx of unsuitable applicants due to this, put businesses at risk of falling short of their ambitions.” Recognising these challenges, Portman Partners is leveraging its deep industry expertise to create a new style of recruitment solution with the launch of Flint DC, one that will deliver better outcomes for clients. Flint’s service - Contingent+ - combines the standard contingent terms of business with recruitment fees contingent on a successful outcome, with the bespoke search methodology typically reserved for head-hunting or specialised roles. Flint is built on a recruitment model that will deliver critical talent speedily, efficiently - with a new approach that won’t slow businesses down. “Flint is born out of the demand for a better approach to hiring in the data centre industry,” explains Mike. “In my 30 years in data centres, I’ve encountered the same frustrations again and again across the sector. We want to change the way things were done.  “With Flint DC and the Contingent+ model, we’re taking everything that makes Portman successful in stealth executive search - our specialised knowledge, our global reach and our no-nonsense approach - and building an agile recruitment model that delivers the right results for all hiring levels,” says Mike. “We’re not just another recruitment firm. We’re the solution our clients have been asking for.” Paul Cutliffe, Managing Director of Flint DC, says this represents a new era in data centre recruitment, “We are offering a Contingent+ model that streamlines hiring while ensuring quality, speed and alignment with the unique needs of data centre businesses. I am passionate about helping businesses find high-calibre candidates who are a good cultural fit and will enable transformational change. I am looking forward to supporting our clients as they power on into the future.”  

Start Campus unveils new SIN01 data centre in Portugal

Start Campus has celebrated the official inauguration of SIN01 in Portugal, its first operational facility within the company’s 1.2GW SINES Data Campus.  Located on Portugal’s southwest coast, SIN01 is now the largest data centre facility ever commissioned in the country – and a pivotal milestone in positioning Portugal at the centre of the global data economy, strengthening its role as a key hub for digital infrastructure in Europe and globally. The inauguration brought together national leaders and international stakeholders, including senior representatives from the Portuguese Government, the United States Embassy in Portugal and other national and international authorities. The ceremony underscores the strategic value and its role in anchoring one of the largest private digital infrastructure investments in Europe.  Start Campus’ shareholders, Davidson Kempner Capital Management and Pioneer Point Partners LLP, have provided the funding to privately deliver SIN01 without subsidies, public funds or tax benefits. Coupled with the support of a world-class US bank, this investment marks a strong vote of confidence in Portugal’s digital and clean energy potential on the global stage. “We expect this campus to represent more than €8.5 billion in construction investment alone – and we anticipate our customers to invest multiples of that in infrastructure and technology deployments on-site,” says Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus.  The full campus, once complete, is expected to comprise of six buildings across 1.2GW of capacity, with grid access already secured. The construction of the next 180MW facility (SIN02) is expected to begin later in 2025. “The Sines Project will continue to ensure Portugal is at the forefront of the race for the development of artificial intelligence, with major international technology companies already operating in our country", adds João Talone, Senior Consultant at Davidson Kempner.  As part of the ceremony, senior members of the Portuguese Government emphasised the SINES Data Campus as a symbol of national ambition and forward-looking infrastructure policy.

Castrol and Schneider Electric launch liquid cooling lab in Shanghai

Castrol and Schneider Electric have opened a new liquid cooling technology co-laboratory in Shanghai under a strategic partnership agreement. This collaboration aims to offer customers new innovations in data centre cooling technology. The co-laboratory will support the development of benchmark liquid cooling projects for data centres in the future. It will also serve as a jointly branded customer demonstration centre, showcasing significant breakthroughs in liquid cooling technology to the data centre industry. Castrol and Schneider Electric will work together to carry out in-depth product development and projects that can address the practical technical challenges faced by customers – such as compatibility between the cooling liquid and devices, and improving heat dissipation, among other issues. Through joint research and development, technology sharing and other approaches, both companies will aim to expand the adoption of liquid cooling technology across various scenarios.  Castrol's high-performance cooling liquids will be integrated with Schneider Electric's data centre solutions, including infrastructure such as the Cooling Distribution Unit (CDU), power supplies, server rack and intelligent power distribution equipment. In the future, both companies will collaborate to achieve further in-depth integration by conducting compatibility tests of data centre liquid cooling fluids and infrastructure. This will help ensure the stability and safety of the combined products of Castrol and Schneider Electric and provide one-stop liquid cooling solutions for more customers. At the opening of the co-laboratory, Peter Huang, Vice President, Thermal Management at Castrol, said, "In the era of AI, the construction of liquid cooling infrastructure in data centres is developing rapidly. Through Castrol’s strategic partnership with Schneider Electric, we will jointly provide end-to-end solutions for the construction, operation and maintenance of data centres, ranging from the hardware in server rooms to liquid cooling fluids." Castrol and Schneider Electric are committed to providing higher-quality data centre liquid cooling services and promoting safe and energy-efficient development of data centres that are fit for the future.

Data centre market set for unprecedented growth

Knight Frank, the global real estate adviser, has published its global data centres report, revealing a surge in market expansion - with a projected 46% increase in data centre capacity worldwide by 2027. This equates to an additional 20,828 megawatts (MW). This rapid growth, which has the potential to expand 177% by 2030, is underpinned by a substantial capital expenditure of £229 billion over the forecast period, reflecting the intensifying demand for digital infrastructure to support AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital transformation. Following a 36% drop in data centre transaction volumes in 2023 due to global interest rate hikes, the market rebounded in 2024, surging 118% to £24.5 billion across single-asset purchases, portfolio acquisitions, redevelopment opportunities, and development site sales. Globally, the average real estate transaction value in the data sector space was £59 million in 2024, up 15% on the average transaction price in 2023, and up 44% on the pre-Covid transactions value average in 2019. Since 2019, average transaction value has grown at a compound-annual-growth-rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. Regional growth highlights • North America remains the dominant global market, with 11,638 MW in new capacity, reflecting a 54% growth rate and a staggering £128 billion in capital being deployed to support this expected growth. The region benefits from a combination of homegrown hyperscale dominance, increasing enterprise colocation demand, and strategic expansion into emerging secondary markets. • Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) is set to expand by 4,529 MW (44%), requiring a £49.8 billion investment. European markets are experiencing a shift towards secondary hubs such as Milan and Madrid, primarily driven by power constraints in core markets like Frankfurt and London. • Asia-Pacific (APAC) is forecast to see a 4,174 MW (32%) increase, supported by a £45.9 billion investment. APAC remains a highly diverse market, with significant development in both established hubs like Tokyo and emerging locations such as Johor, Malaysia, where hyperscalers seek alternative expansion opportunities. Key markets driving expansion • Ashburn, USA: The world’s largest data centre hub will grow by 2,428 MW (58%), backed by £26.7 billion targeting this market. Despite power availability challenges, Northern Virginia remains the principal destination for hyperscalers and colocation providers. • Phoenix, USA: One of the fastest-growing markets, with a 126% surge (1,109 MW), attracting £12.2 billion in investment. The city’s appeal is fuelled by its scalable land options, business-friendly environment, and strong connectivity infrastructure. • London, UK: Retaining its status as a leading European data centre market, London is set to expand by 480 MW (36%), with £5.3 billion of investment. However, ongoing power constraints in established submarkets is encouraging development in outer London and secondary UK cities. • Milan, Italy: The standout European market with a remarkable 168% growth rate (310 MW), requiring £3.4 billion in investment. Milan’s rise is indicative of a broader shift in European data centre expansion towards new, less congested hubs. • Tokyo, Japan: A key APAC hub, poised for a 25% increase (295 MW) attracting £3.2 billion. Japan’s strategic location, stable power grid, and increasing demand for cloud services continue to drive growth. • Johor, Malaysia: Emerging as a major data centre hotspot with an 85% growth rate (335 MW), underpinned by £3.7 billion in investment. Johor’s proximity to Singapore, combined with attractive incentives, is establishing it as a viable alternative for hyperscale expansion. Stephen Beard, Global Head of Data Centres at Knight Frank, explains, “The global data centre industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with hyperscaler and colocation providers prioritising markets that offer access to power, robust connectivity, and a favourable regulatory environment. We’re increasingly seeing sustainability considerations shaping investment strategies, with an increasing focus on renewable energy adoption and energy-efficient design. “Real estate investors and developers are positioning themselves to capitalise on this demand, with an emphasis on acquiring strategically located land and securing long-term power agreements. “As global capital races to capture the next wave of digital infrastructure growth, the competition for prime development sites, particularly in power-constrained locations, will intensify. Industry stakeholders must navigate regulatory complexities, power availability concerns, and sustainability requirements to remain competitive in this high-growth sector. “Operators, investors, policymakers, and partners, each have a role to play in shaping this future. The task ahead is to build infrastructure that not only supports innovation, but also safeguards sustainability, security, and equity.” For more from Knight Frank, click here.