News

EUDCA’s research affirms critical importance of data centres

The European Data Centre Association (EUDCA), a trade body representing data centre operators, suppliers, and stakeholders across Europe, has announced the publication of its inaugural State of European Data Centres report, in collaboration with European National Trade Associations (NTAs). The new report marks an important step in documenting and recording the state of the industry, allowing greater ongoing analysis and insights, tracking progress and development, and reflecting a vibrant industry that while experiencing challenges, has potential to be at the heart of a digital Europe. Michael Winterson, Secretary General of the EUDCA, says, “Europe’s digital economies could not have been established without the backbone of data centres that provide digital sovereignty while contributing significantly to GDP. The State of European Data Centres 2025 provides a benchmark of this vital industry and a reference point for informed, data-driven decision-making as we continue building Europe’s digital future.” According to the report, the data centre industry contributes significantly to Europe’s socio-economic landscape. Colocation data centres alone were responsible for €30 billion in GDP in 2023, expected to reach €83.8 billion by 2030, with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The market is expanding rapidly, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital service growth, with demand outstripping supply and attracting billions of euros in investment. Major centres of activity include Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin (FLAPD), with intense activity in emerging hubs in the Nordics and Southern Europe. Additionally, new metropolitan hubs are emerging in and around cities such as Barcelona, Rome, and Athens. “A key implication from the report,” continues Michael, “is the need for data centres, as large energy consumers, to become flexible energy partners to grid providers.” Sustainability data shows that more than a quarter (28%) of operators have invested in on-site renewable energy generation capability, and 41% plan to do so. In support of these efforts, 28% are planning on installing battery energy storage systems (BESS) within the next two years. Currently, nearly a quarter (22%) of data centre operators provide grid stabilisation or energy trading capacity to energy grids, greatly facilitating further utilisation of renewable energy sources (RES). This will almost triple (59%) in the next two years. All of this means that data centre operators, through increased resilience and energy independence, can engage with grid operators to relieve stress on grids, while providing supports such as grid stabilisation services. The report finds the industry faces challenges related to power availability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance as new reporting obligations recently came into effect. More than a third (36%) said that regulatory compliance will be a challenge over the next three years. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation in energy efficiency, flexibility, and heat reuse. The sector's continued growth will necessitate ongoing investments in sustainability to minimise environmental impact. Another bright spot is improvement in water usage. Of those operators who reported water usage effectiveness (WUE), the average was 0.31 litre per kWh for 2023, well below the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP) target of 0.4 l/kWh for water-stressed areas. The industry is also advancing technologies such as liquid cooling and heat reuse to improve efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint. Currently, half of operators have residual heat coupling capability, with a further 38% expected in two years. Already, three quarters of operators have energy or environmental management systems in place. The data centre industry also faces significant challenges, including power supply constraints, permitting delays, and a growing skills gap in technical fields. More than 75% of survey respondents consider access to power as the biggest challenge for the sector in the next three years, despite a willingness to invest in alternative solutions to access power. Energy costs are also a concern, as rising wholesale prices impact operators. The additional responsibility of regulatory compliance was also significant, with more than a third (36%) citing it as a major challenge in the near future. There are significant concerns that duplication and redundancy in reporting frameworks will deter compliance, reducing effectiveness and frustrating regulatory goals. For more from the EUDCA, click here.

Siemens, Cadolto, Legrand introduce new modular data centre

Siemens Smart Infrastructure, a division of German conglomerate Siemens focusing on intelligent building technologies, energy systems, and digital infrastructure solutions, Cadolto Datacenter, and Legrand Data Center Solutions are jointly unveiling a next-generation, modular edge data centre. The system will debut at Data Center World Frankfurt, taking place 4-5 June 2025. Unlike containerised data centres, this solution aims to offer customisable, prefabricated modules that can be tailored to operational needs and deployed faster. Siemens integrates its full suite of Smart Infrastructure technologies – from medium- and low-voltage power distribution to building automation, fire safety, and physical security systems. Cadolto acts as manufacturer and general contractor of the modular edge data centre, delivering the prefabricated modular building with integrated climate control. Legrand brings its knowledge in IT white space infrastructure – from racks and structured cabling to intelligent Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems. “With digital transformation accelerating across every industry, our customers need infrastructure that moves as fast as they do,” says Ciaran Flanagan, Global Head of Data Center Solutions & Services at Siemens AG. “This solution offers all the performance of a traditional data centre, but with the agility to scale quickly, tailored to our customers’ specific needs. When ramping up capacity, it’s just a case of plugging it in.” The data centre has been designed to be suitable for both permanent operation and interim use, to be able to be deployed wherever needed – from high-performance computing in pharmaceutical environments to temporary applications such as test setups in the automotive sector or space-constrained office locations. There will also be “IT-ready” rental models which intend to enable fast deployment without upfront investment, making them appropriate for temporary IT hubs, lab environments, or other short-term infrastructure needs. Visitors can experience the new data centre first-hand at Data Center World Frankfurt, Hall 8, Catering Area CA4, where a full-scale demo unit will be on display. For more from Siemens, click here.

JTS opens second Idaho facility

JTS, a Mission Critical Group (MCG) company, has announced the opening of a new 172,000 ft² manufacturing facility on 14 acres in Nampa, Idaho, USA, known as JTS Nampa 1. The $55 million investment adds 140 jobs, doubles the company’s production capacity, and supports long-term economic growth in the region. MCG’s US-based manufacturing footprint now exceeds 1 million ft², reinforcing its commitment to building critical power infrastructure in America. “This expansion marks a pivotal moment for JTS and the customers we serve,” says Greg Blake, President of JTS. “We’re doubling our capacity and accelerating our ability to deliver innovative, high-quality power solutions that keep critical infrastructure running. We’re proud to invest in the community and drive the next chapter of American manufacturing here in Idaho.” JTS now operates three locations: Caldwell, ID; Nampa, ID; and Abilene, TX. JTS Nampa 1, located near the Caldwell facility, shares resources and was built using LEAN manufacturing principles. “The new Nampa facility is more than an expansion – it’s a milestone in our mission to shape the future of American manufacturing,” comments Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group. “It strengthens our ability to serve data centres, hospitals, utilities, and other critical infrastructure with dependable power solutions. We’re also proud that our shared ownership model gives employees a real stake in our success, aligning our growth with the prosperity of the people who power it.” Due to ongoing investments in data centres, infrastructure, and advanced technologies, the United States' electricity demand is expected to increase by over 50% by 2050. Meeting this growing energy need will require innovative and resilient power and electrical system solutions. Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling adds, “We’re proud to welcome JTS’s new facility to Nampa. This investment brings 140 quality jobs to our city and strengthens our local economy. It’s a great example of how strategic partnerships and innovation can fuel lasting impact in our community.” A grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration, including remarks and tours, will take place at the JTS Nampa 1 facility on 17 June 2025 from 12:00pm to 3:30pm MT. For more from JTS, click here.

Eaton and Siemens Energy to join forces

Intelligent power management company Eaton, and Siemens Energy, one of the world’s leading energy technology companies, have announced a fast-track approach to building data centres with integrated onsite power. They intend to address urgent market needs by offering reliable, grid-independent energy supplies and standardised modular systems to facilitate swift data centre construction and deployment. The collaboration will enable simultaneous construction of data centres and associated on-site power generation with grid connection and the integration of renewables to meet any regional regulatory requirements. This aims to provide data centre owners and developers with choices they don’t have at present to enable them to build and run new data centres. Siemens Energy’s modular and scalable power plant concept is designed to be tailored to the specific needs of data centre operators. The standard configuration generates 500 megawatts (MW) of electricity featuring SGT-800 gas turbines, redundancy, and additional battery storage systems. Based on its modular approach, the size of the plant can be scaled up and down. In the future, it could also operate in a carbon-neutral manner, provided hydrogen is available and a part of the data centre’s sustainability strategy. The Siemens Energy concept also includes an optional emission-free, clean air grid connection to be installed either during construction or as a retrofit. This feature would enable data centres to provide grid services. Eaton will provide customers with electrical equipment such as medium voltage switchgear, low voltage switchgear, UPS, busways, structural support, racks and containment systems, engineering services, and the software offerings needed to protect and enable IT loads from the medium-voltage grid to the chip, as well as help accelerate building and commissioning data centres with skidded and modular designs. Cyrille Brisson, Global Segment Leader, Data Centers, Eaton, says, “Our approach of letting customers pick the right balance of energy sources is very flexible and construction to start-up time is swift, with options to reduce emissions in both the short and long term. Crucially, our approach offers data centre owners and developers the opportunity to build capacity and bring it online fast in any location where they have land available that is close to gas, water, and fibre.” Andreas Pistauer, Global Head of Sales, Siemens Energy’s Gas Services Business Area, states, “We offer hyperscalers, co-locators, and investors a unique package, enabling them to reduce the time-to-market by up to two years in many places, which leads to significant revenue gains. Our power plant design is built with redundancy, eliminating the need for backup diesel generators and reducing CO2 emissions by about 50%.” For more from Eaton, click here.

House of Commons boosts data workforce by 50%

The UK's House of Commons has splashed £7.5 million into data spending and staff over the past three years, underscoring its strategic commitment to data as a cornerstone of national research and innovation. As the public sector embraces AI at pace, with over 70% of government bodies piloting or planning AI implementation, the demand for robust data infrastructure and skilled personnel has never been greater. In response, the House of Commons has quietly ramped up hiring and spending on data roles, reflecting a broader strategic shift towards data-centric governance. Over the past three years, the number of staff in the House of Commons with "data" in their job titles has jumped from 49 in 2022 to 73 in early 2025, marking a 49% increase. Alongside this, total salary investment for data roles rose by more than 63%, from £1.83 million to £2.98 million, excluding final April 2025 figures still pending payroll completion. The figures reflect a growing recognition within Parliament that AI innovation is only as effective as the data that underpins it. Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, comments, "There's a growing appetite across government to harness the power of AI, but what's often overlooked is that AI is only as reliable as the data it's built on. The House of Commons' investment in data roles is a critical step toward ensuring its systems are grounded in quality, governance, and accuracy. "Hiring the right data professionals and embedding strong data practices is no longer optional, it's essential. Without it, organisations risk deploying AI that makes poor decisions based on flawed information. In this new era, those who prioritise data integrity will be the ones who gain real value from AI." The increase in data staffing at the heart of Parliament reflects a wider cultural shift toward long-term digital resilience, ensuring that public institutions are equipped to harness AI ethically and effectively. Richard Bovey, Head of Data at AND Digital, says, "The House of Commons is leading the way for data investment, with 66% of businesses agreeing that data investment is a top priority for their organisation, according to our recent Data Loyalty research. This move signals a long-term commitment to data-driven governance at the heart of the public sector. "As the UK advances its position as a global leader in science and technology, building in-house data capability is vital, not only to unlock innovation, but also to safeguard, embedded from the ground up, enabling institutions to innovate responsibly. "But data alone isn't enough. Organisational culture plays a crucial role in turning insight into impact and a culture that truly values curiosity, empathy, and accountability is what transforms data points into better decisions and more meaningful outcomes. By investing in its data workforce, the House of Commons is laying a robust foundation for smarter, more ethical, and future-ready public services. It's a necessary step toward creating a public sector that is both digitally progressive and aligned with democratic values."

LiquidStack unveils GigaModular CDU

LiquidStack, a global company specialising in liquid cooling for data centres, today at Datacloud Global Congress unveiled its all-new GigaModular CDU — the industry’s first modular, scalable Coolant Distribution Unit with up to 10MW cooling capacity, made possible through the unit’s modular platform and 'pay-as-you-grow' installation approach. Driven by dramatic increases in the adoption of AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive technologies, the global data centre liquid cooling market is predicted to grow from $5.17 billion in 2025 to approximately $15.75 billion by 2030. Simultaneously, the demanding nature of AI workloads is pushing data centre thermal management requirements even further. With hardware such as Nvidia’s B300 and GB300 soon to arrive — and subsequent generations of even more powerful iterations inevitably following thereafter — the need to future-proof cooling capacity has never been greater. These increasingly sophisticated technologies generate far greater heat densities than traditional processing units, with rack power densities already exceeding 120kW per rack, and growing to 600kW by the end of 2027. "AI will keep pushing thermal output to new extremes, and data centres need cooling systems that can be easily deployed, managed, and scaled to match heat rejection demands as they rise,” says Joe Capes, CEO of LiquidStack. “With up to 10MW of cooling capacity at N, N+1, or N+2, the GigaModular is a platform like no other — we designed it to be the only CDU our customers will ever need. It future-proofs design selections for direct-to-chip liquid cooling without traditional limits or boundaries." Key features of the LiquidStack GigaModular CDU platform include: ● Scalable cooling capacity: A modular platform supporting single-phase, direct-to-chip liquid cooling heat loads from 2.5MW to 10MW. ● Pump module: An IE5 pump and dual BPHx, alongside dual 25um strainers. ● Control module: A centralised design with separate pump and control modules. ● Instrumentation kits: Centralised pressure, temperature, and EM flow sensors. ● Simplified service access: Serviceable from the front of the unit, with no rear or end access required, allowing the system to be placed against the wall. ● Optional configuration: Skid-mounted system with rail and overhead piping pre-installed or shipped as separate cabinets for on-site assembly. LiquidStack will showcase the new GigaModular CDU at Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes, France, from 3-5 June at the Palais des Festivals. Attendees can visit LiquidStack at Booth #88 for a VR-driven demonstration. GigaModular CDU quoting will begin by September 2025 with production in LiquidStack’s manufacturing facilities in Carrollton, Texas (USA). For more from LiquidStack, click here.

CyrusOne and E.ON announce strategic partnership

CyrusOne, a global data centre owner, developer, and operator, and E.ON, one of Europe's largest energy companies, today announced they have entered into a Preferred Partnership agreement to design and deliver local power generation solutions for data centres. The companies’ Preferred Partnership agreement enables them to work together to unlock future energy projects in Frankfurt – Europe’s largest data centre hub which is currently constrained by limited grid capacity and connection delays – and more widely across the continent. In addition to local power generation, the Partnership will collaborate on grid support, power purchase agreements, and heat management. Fundamentally, the Partnership seeks to offer near term capacity for customers in important availability zones in gateway markets with delayed access to grid capacity. The first initiative in the Partnership will see E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) design a local power generation system, named E.ON IQ Energy Center, to supply CyrusOne FRA7, a hyperscale data centre in Griesheim, Germany. This local power generation system will supplement the existing power supply to deliver an additional 61 megawatts of electrical output to the facility by 2029, expanding the campus to offer a further 45 megawatts of IT capacity to customers – bringing the FRA7 campus’ total IT capacity to 126 megawatts. “We are thrilled to announce this Partnership with E.ON to provide customers with a runway to large scale growth without utility risk by 2029. By leveraging the complementary expertise of both companies to scale innovative technologies, we are creating a unique opportunity to offer growth capacity for customers in their most important markets,” says Matthew Pullen, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Europe at CyrusOne. “Our scalable platform will set new industry standards for the integration of advanced energy solutions, offering a replicable model for future data centres and setting the pace for European innovation in sustainable infrastructure.” “This Partnership brings together two industry-leading companies to accelerate a sustainable digital future, developing solutions that provide both power and cooling to the data centre and heat to the campus,” states Marten Bunnemann, CEO at E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions. “What sets this Partnership apart is its strategic depth: a long-term alliance built on shared vision, technical integration, and real benefits for customers and the wider community.” CyrusOne’s FRA7 data centre forms part of the Frankfurt Westside campus, a 73-hectare commercial and industrial mixed-use regeneration project managed by BEOS AG and Swiss Life Asset Managers. In line with CyrusOne’s sustainability goals, and as part of the ongoing partnership with BEOS and Swiss Life Asset Managers, the proposed local power generation solution also places energy efficiency and environmental responsibility at its core. The solution is expected to become the first of its kind to include a baseload cooling integration via absorption chillers designed to convert exhaust heat from the power generation process into cooling for the data centre. This method is designed to increase overall system efficiency, reduce power consumption, and improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). E.ON’s generation system is designed to produce power, cooling, and heat through a combustion process which also qualifies CyrusOne to secure green certificates of origin. While natural gas will initially be used to fuel the plant, the system is designed to be hydrogen-ready and capable of operating with up to 25% hydrogen blended into the fuel mix, with the option to transition to 100% hydrogen through upgrades where demand exists. The local power generation system is also engineered to enhance the quality and usability of the data centre’s waste heat by integrating exhaust heat from its absorption chiller, raising the output temperature by approximately 10°C. For more from CyrusOne, click here.

National Grid starts work on new substation

National Grid, the UK's largest electricity distribution network, is starting work on its new Uxbridge Moor substation in Buckinghamshire which will connect over a dozen new data centres to its network. The new site forms part of National Grid’s upgrade to its transmission network to meet growing demand for electricity, ensuring it can continue to support the growth of new sectors such as data centres as well as the economic and employment benefits they can bring. The site will feature two substations – one 400kV and one 132kV – both of which will be indoor gas-insulated facilities (GIS), reducing the footprint of the development by around 70% and minimising its impact on the environment. Uxbridge Moor will be among the first GIS substations in the country to be free of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), a commonly used electrical insulator that is also a potent greenhouse gas. Using an alternative insulating gas means the project marks another key step towards National Grid’s ambition to reduce SF6 emissions from its network by 50% by 2030. Principal contractor Murphy will build the Uxbridge Moor substation, as well as delivering ancillary facilities, underground cabling, and associated work to connect the 400kV substation to the nearby overhead transmission line. National Grid is planning £35 billion of investment between 2026 to 2031 to connect both large sources of demand (such as data centres and gigafactories) and new sources of electricity generation (such as wind and solar). The requests from data centres to connect at Uxbridge Moor will require around 1.8GW of new capacity, equivalent to adding a mid-sized city to the grid on the outskirts of London. When built, it will be the largest new substation on National Grid’s network by gigawatt capacity. The new substation site borders National Grid’s existing Iver 400kV substation in Buckinghamshire, which has reached capacity and cannot be expanded to meet the demand from data centres and other customers for connections in the area. Energy Minister Michael Shanks says, “Upgrades to the electricity network like this are at the heart of building the industries of our future and support our Plan for Change to deliver economic growth and skilled jobs across the UK. “It comes as we progress our reforms to the grid connections queue that will speed up the time it takes to get high-growth firms, like data centres and AI hubs, plugged into the grid, while also fast-tracking projects that will scale up clean, homegrown power by 2030.” Laura Mulcahy, Project Director at National Grid Electricity Transmission, comments, “Our new Uxbridge Moor substation will provide vital access to power for data centres that are at the heart of Britain’s innovation and economic growth. It will enable new jobs and investment in Buckinghamshire, and will support the UK's digital future. “Alongside these significant benefits, we are working to keep the substations’ environmental impact to a minimum. By using the latest SF6-free, gas-insulated switchgear, we’re reducing the size of this crucial site by around 70% and ensuring its technology is sustainable and resilient long into the future.” Liam Corr, Managing Director of Energy at Murphy, states, “Since 1951 Murphy has been a leading provider of innovative and integrated energy solutions – today we support groundbreaking transmission and distribution projects across the four countries in which we work. “We are proud to be delivering this project in the UK’s capital and building on our strong working relationship with National Grid to help to ensure energy security for decades to come.” For more from National Grid, click here.

Vodafone and Three merger completed in UK

Vodafone, a leading global telecommunications company, and CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings (CKHGT), a wholly owned subsidiary of CK Hutchison, have today announced that the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK successfully completed on 31 May 2025. The combined business, named VodafoneThree, is 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% by CKHGT. Vodafone will fully consolidate VodafoneThree in its financial results and the Chief Executive Officer is Max Taylor, who currently leads Vodafone UK. Three UK’s Darren Purkis is appointed Chief Financial Officer. VodafoneThree intends to invest £11 billion over the next 10 years. In its first year, VodafoneThree plans to invest £1.3 billion in capex. This should enable the company to accelerate its network deployment, and the combined business is expected to deliver cost and capex synergies of £700 million per annum by the fifth year after completion. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Vodafone’s Adjusted free cash flow from FY29 onwards. Full alignment to Vodafone’s accounting policies is ongoing and the company states that pro forma financials will be provided in due course. High quality network connectivity is critical to many elements of daily life. It is also central to the UK’s economic growth prospects, important for the UK’s science and technology sectors, as well as for improving public services. This investment in a 5G standalone network is being made with the stated aim to propel the UK’s mobile infrastructure to the forefront of European connectivity. Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, says, “The merger will create a new force in UK mobile, transform the country’s digital infrastructure, and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity. We are now eager to kick-off our network build and rapidly bring customers greater coverage and superior network quality. The transaction completes the reshaping of Vodafone in Europe, and following this period of transition we are now well-positioned for growth ahead.” Canning Fok, Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison and Executive Chairman of CKHGT, comments, “As we have demonstrated in other European markets, scale enables the significant investment needed to deliver the world-beating mobile networks our customers expect, and the Vodafone and Three merger provides that scale. In addition, this transaction unlocks significant shareholder value, returning approximately £1.3 billion in net cash to the Group.” For more from Vodafone, click here.

CDM to deliver modular data centre solutions

Compu Dynamics Modular (CDM), a newly launched company drawing on Compu Dynamics’ two decades of experience and focusing exclusively on modular solutions, today announces its market debut with a stated mission: to simplify and accelerate the deployment of high-density, energy efficient digital infrastructure through engineered, prefabricated data centre modules. With digital transformation surging across AI, HPC, neocloud, and enterprise markets, CDM aims to offer prefabricated, turnkey solutions that are scalable, transportable, and designed for the next generation of compute. The company serves a range of customers, from neocloud infrastructure providers and AI innovators to OEMs that integrate high-end compute clusters directly into modular platforms. "At CDM, our vision is to support the seamless, rapid deployment of digital infrastructure tailored to each customer’s unique application needs. We deliver fully tested, modular data centre solutions designed for efficiency, reliability, and scalability," says Ron Mann, Vice President of Compu Dynamics Modular. "We are not building containers — we are delivering high-performance, factory-integrated data centre solutions that are fully operational from day one." Each module is an integrated, self-contained data centre system including mechanical, electrical, and cooling infrastructure that is designed to support advanced applications such as AI model training, GPU clusters, and edge inference engines. The company provides end-to-end lifecycle services including: • Design & Engineering: Customisable to power densities, cooling strategies, and deployment constraints. • Fabrication & Assembly: Built in controlled environments. • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT): Aiming to ensure systems are deployment-ready before shipping. • Deployment & Commissioning: Nationwide and international delivery, and on-site integration. • Ongoing Support & Maintenance: Lifecycle services tailored to operational continuity. “Compu Dynamics Modular represents the next phase of innovation in our industry,” comments Steve Altizer, President and CEO of Compu Dynamics. “CDM is built to meet the modular demands of tomorrow’s compute landscape, where speed-to-market, flexibility, and high-density performance are critical.” For more from Compu Dynamics, click here.