News

DataVolt and NEOM to develop net zero AI campus in Oxagon

NEOM, the sustainable region taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, and DataVolt, a Saudi-based international developer, investor and operator of data centres, have signed a landmark agreement, marking a significant step toward realising the Kingdom’s vision for a sustainable, data-driven economy. The development will take a phased approach, with phase one expected to be operational by 2028. Aligning with Oxagon’s ambition, the 1.5GW factory will integrate a wide range of computing densities and energy-efficient architectures to address the global challenges posed by traditional data centres. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres currently consume between 1-1.3% of global electricity demand. With the advancements of generative AI, power consumption is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. The energy-intensive nature of data centres and the cumulative impact of associated carbon emissions necessitate a rapid need for transition to clean sustainable solutions. As part of the agreement, Oxagon will lease DataVolt the land for the development of the facility and provide the sustainable data centre operator with infrastructure support. The ambition is for the facility to be entirely powered by renewable energy, providing a fully integrated, end-to-end data centre solution. The project will utilise advanced cooling technologies and is designed to operate at net zero, addressing the global challenges of power availability and the carbon footprint posed by data centres. Commenting on the announcement, Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon, says, “The Kingdom is at the forefront of the global energy transition. At Oxagon, we are accelerating a renewable energy industrial ecosystem that is set to power businesses with green energy and technology solutions. The agreement with DataVolt highlights the potential impact of the sustainable infrastructure Oxagon offers its tenants and sets the foundations for the first green-AI workload to come on-stream in KSA along with the necessary computing power for regional and global impact.” Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, adds, “This agreement with NEOM and Oxagon underscores our unwavering commitment to support the Kingdom's vision of becoming a regional digital and AI hub. The Kingdom’s strategic location, coupled with its abundant green energy resources, aligns perfectly with DataVolt’s mission in providing state-of-the-art sustainable data centres. This project marks a significant milestone in advancing the Kingdom’s leadership as a digital powerhouse in the region.”

Yondr breaks ground on third phase of London campus

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner and operator of hyperscale data centres, has broken ground on the third building of its London data centre campus in Slough. Once completed, the 40MW data centre will bring the total capacity of the London campus to just over 100MW, making it one of the largest in the UK. The ground-breaking brings the site of a derelict paint factory back into commercial use, and the event follows completion of the first 30MW building at the London campus in July last year. An additional 30MW data centre is currently in the construction phase on site. Yondr’s third building on the London campus has been designed to BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards, to deliver both reliable data capacity and sustainability. The new facility will be energy efficient in line with the company’s sustainability strategy and 2030 target for Scope 1 and 2 carbon neutrality. Solar panels will be installed on the building’s roof and the facility will boast industry-leading power utilisation efficiency (PUE). Plans for the building were developed in close collaboration with Slough Borough Council and the Canal & River Trust, with the goal of realising a building that actively enhances biodiversity and improves the canal side, with a focus on aesthetics and active transport access for local residents.A green wall facing out towards the canal is one of the ways in which aesthetics and sustainability have been integrated into the project, as part of a strategy of blending the building with its surroundings. The green wall has been designed on an independent structure to overcome the technical requirements of the data centre and it will provide both visual and acoustic shielding, in addition to contributing to biodiversity. Yondr’s commitment to sustainability will extend beyond the border of the site for the new data centre, with the planting of trees and shrubs which have been specially selected to be sympathetic to local plant species and wildlife. A new walking and cycle route will contribute to the health and fitness of the local community and help to reduce vehicular traffic by creating a convenient cut-through. In a further step to create a positive impact in the local area, Yondr conducted a community-needs assessment which highlighted challenges children face in accessing outdoor learning opportunities. To help bridge this gap, Yondr has provided funding for six classes from local schools for a day of hands-on learning at the Iver Environment Centre – allowing the children to immerse themselves in biodiversity, conservation, and the importance of protecting the environment. Peter Hill, VP of Design & Construction EMEA at Yondr, comments, “The plans for this third building on our London campus show a clear evolution of our data centre design and delivery capabilities. It demonstrates just how far we have come in embracing sustainability to deliver our carbon neutrality goals and bring forward exemplar data centre developments. “Breaking ground on this project is a milestone not just for this building, but also for our London campus and our increasingly strong presence in Europe. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped progress this project through the design and planning stage, as well as those who have joined us to celebrate today, and I look forward to a smooth construction process and handover next year.” The facility is expected to be completed in mid-2026. For more from Yondr Group, click here.

atNorth awarded Iceland’s top ICT prize

atNorth, a Nordic colocation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence service provider, has announced its recognition at one of Iceland’s most prestigious information technology events, UTmessan - along with other leading Icelandic data centre operators - for their role in facilitating the development of Iceland’s infrastructure. The Information Technology Award of The Icelandic Computer Society (Ský) is an honorary prize awarded to organisations for an outstanding contribution to information technology in Iceland. The accolade highlights the positive impact of data centres on Iceland’s digital, power and economic infrastructure. The award was presented by Iceland's President, Halla Tómasdóttir, at a ceremony on 7 February 2025 in Reykjavik. The data centre industry is thriving in Iceland, alongside its Nordic neighbours, due to its naturally cool climate and abundance of renewable energy that enables highly energy-efficient infrastructure cooling techniques. This demand for data centre capacity in Iceland facilitated the country’s investment in digital connectivity and the national power infrastructure to ensure long term sustainability of the supply. Iceland boasts multiple undersea fibre optic cables connecting the country to the UK, North America and mainland Scandinavia and has a robust domestic fibre optic network, with multiple providers offering high-speed internet connectivity - factors that have undoubtedly accelerated the growth of other businesses in the country. “We believe that data centres can be pivotal to a thriving economy and are committed to supporting the countries in which we operate”, says Erling Guðmundsson, COO, atNorth. “We are proud to be recognised alongside our peers as having contributed to putting Iceland on the map as a perfect location for data centres. By collaborating with local governments and like-minded organisations, we hope to create data centre ecosystems that operate with environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and community integration.” atNorth has won many awards for its services, including the ‘Top Energy Efficient HPC Achievements’ award at the HPCwire Reader’s Choice Awards, and the ‘Digital Infrastructure Project of the Year’ prize at the Tech Capital Awards. The business also won the ‘Location Award’ for Iceland at the Tech Capital Awards in 2023 and has been included in TechRound’s Sustainability60 list that celebrates the most exciting sustainability companies across the UK and Europe. For more from atNorth, click here.

Schneider Electric reacts to Government's 'Plan for Change'

On 10 February 2025, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, fired the 'starting gun' on data centres and AI - calling for UK local and regional authorities to put forward their plans to accelerate the development of AI Growth Zones as part of its 'Plan for Change', potentially attracting millions in private investment. Responding to the UK Government's press release - Government fires starting gun on AI Growth Zones to turbocharge Plan for Change - Mark Yeeles, Vice President, Secure Power Division, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland, reacts with the following comments: “The news from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, is welcomed by Schneider Electric, and demonstrates continued progress for the UK’s AI and critical national infrastructure (CNI) ambitions. “As the government ramps up its Plan for Change, its continued engagement with the digital infrastructure ecosystem will not only be integral to accelerate sustainable, economic growth, but will play a key role in its mission to revitalise local communities by delivering much-anticipated new job opportunities, and identifying new measures reskill the workforce. “At Schneider Electric we’ve long-seen the significant potential that the North West of England, particularly Greater Manchester and Leeds, presents to develop AI Growth Zones (AIGZ) and to further supercharge the AI opportunity. However, we must also recognise that Scotland and Wales are well-placed to catalyse growth via the development of new large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy systems, both of which will be vital. “What’s clear is that as we move forward, solving the energy, sustainability and security challenges of artificial intelligence remains integral to deliver a greener future, powered by AI, and we look forward to working with both the government and the ecosystem to exceed these ambitions.” For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Vertiv to launch Liquid Cooling Services portfolio

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity products, has announced the launch of Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services. The company states that this offering provides customers with the tools to enhance system availability, improve efficiency, and navigate the evolving challenges of advanced liquid cooling systems with confidence. Vertiv has been delivering these services for more than a year to regional early adopters, refining best practices and gaining valuable insights that have now enabled the expansion of its liquid cooling service capabilities on a global scale. This experience brings a mature and proven approach, Vertiv tells us, providing data centre operators worldwide with expert support based on real-world application and success. AI workloads continue to reshape the data centre landscape, driving a significant increase in data centre rack densities, with 30 kW racks now becoming the standard and some reaching up to 120 kW or higher. Operators are facing increased heat loads and higher power densities, and thus the need for liquid cooling solutions to maintain operational continuity is in high demand. “The increasing reliance on liquid-cooled AI servers necessitates a comprehensive approach to lifecycle management,” says Sean Graham, Research Director of Cloud and Data Centre at IDC. “Given the complexities inherent in these cooling ecosystems, a robust support programme is not merely advisable, but a best practice to ensure both system availability and long-term operational viability.” Vertiv's Liquid Cooling Services offering is focused on providing seamless integration of liquid cooling systems with IT equipment and adjacent infrastructure. It includes expert installation and commissioning, ongoing maintenance with special attention to fluid management, cleanliness, and preventing air from entering the system - which is key for system reliability Vertiv believes that traditional maintenance practices aren't enough for the complexities of liquid cooling systems supporting critical AI applications. This offering leverages the company's industry experience and provides best-practices delivery of preventive and condition-based maintenance to provide reliable and efficient system performance and to maximise availability. Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services includes a full range of solutions designed to support AI-driven and high-performance computing environments, providing seamless integration, long-term reliability, and operational continuity. Vertiv’s certified technicians and field engineers provide expert support at every stage, confirming that heat rejection systems and cooling loop fluid systems function optimally: • Startup & Commissioning Services – Proactively identify and address potential issues that could result from improper installation, preventing delays and enabling a smooth and efficient system launch while verifying quality of all of the connected equipment.• Spare Parts Availability – Quick access to replacement components, supporting faster repairs when needed, and reducing potential downtime.• End-to-End Lifecycle Support – Digital, proactive system maintenance is at the core of this offering, allowing long-term reliability and optimised cooling performance. Documentation of all processes supporting the secondary fluid network provides a health history for the equipment to inform ongoing support.• Comprehensive Fluid Management Services – Maintaining optimal coolant quality is essential for reliable system performance. Vertiv’s services include coolant sampling, laboratory testing, contamination prevention, and environmentally responsible disposal to maximise system longevity and efficiency while enhancing system resilience of the secondary fluid network and technology cooling system.• Emergency and preventive support: Emergency response teams provide rapid, on-site and remote support to diagnose and resolve issues, minimising downtime and restoring operations quickly. “High-performance computing (HPC) and AI are critical to business innovation and competitive advantage, making reliability and efficiency in supporting critical digital infrastructure more important than ever," says Ryan Jarvis, Vice President Global Services Business at Vertiv. "As organisations continue to invest in AI-driven systems, they need robust liquid cooling solutions to protect their investment and to enable long-term performance." Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services leverages the Vertiv Global Services network, which provides project services, product support, testing and training for Vertiv’s portfolio of products. Backed by over 240 service centres, more than 3,500 field engineers, and 190-plus technical response specialists, Vertiv provides expert support across multiple regions. The new Liquid Cooling Services offering is now globally available. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Energy Transfer to provide gas to CloudBurst data centre

Energy Transfer has announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement with Denver-based CloudBurst Data Centers to provide natural gas to CloudBurst’s flagship AI-focused data centre development in Central Texas. The agreement calls for Energy Transfer’s Oasis Pipeline, LP to provide up to 450,000 MMBtu per day of firm natural gas supply to CloudBurst’s next-generation data centre campus outside of San Marcos, Texas, subject to CloudBurst reaching a final investment decision (FID) with its customer. The natural gas supply would be sufficient to generate up to approximately 1.2 gigawatts of direct, or 'behind the meter' electric power for a period of at least 10 years starting with Phase 1 of the data centre facilities. CloudBurst expects to reach FID later this year and in such event, the facility would be operational in Q3 of 2026. This represents Energy Transfer’s first commercial arrangement to supply natural gas directly to a data centre. Energy Transfer says that it is uniquely positioned to provide reliable natural gas supply that is crucial to the data centre operations under development, many of which are in close proximity to its vast network of more than 105,000 miles of natural gas gathering, and intrastate and interstate transportation pipelines and storage facilities with a combined storage capacity of nearly 236 billion cubic feet. Additionally, Energy Transfer is in discussions with a number of data centre developers and expects this to be the first of many agreements to supply, store and transport natural gas to fuel data centres, electric generation facilities and other power demand customers throughout its nationwide footprint. Cynthia Thompson Executive Chair, CloudBurst Data Centers, comments, “We are very excited about our close relationship with Energy Transfer and feel extremely confident in its ability to provide redundancy through its vast pipeline network and storage capacity. In addition, we will work closely with Energy Transfer to identify additional potential data centre sites, on or close to their strategic natural gas pipeline network, using our proprietary site selection software.”

Manchester data centre appoints connectivity partner

Network services provider, Principle Networks, has been appointed by Datum Datacentres to deliver a high-speed IP transit network for Datum’s new data centre in Manchester. The new IP transit network will enable Datum to deliver high-performance internet connectivity to its clients, and is designed to scale in a manner which ensures end users can increase their consumption of internet-based services, without concerns over connectivity limitations. Through the utilisation of Cisco’s best-in-class service provider internet edge routers to host full internet routing tables, the new network will deliver direct access to the internet backbone, ensuring that Datum has greater control over routing policies, and that it can optimise traffic profiles and maximise network availability and reliability. Datum’s new Manchester data centre facility, MCR2, is currently under construction and is due to go live in spring 2025. It will offer 24,000 square foot of technical space within the 50,000 square foot building. Matt Edgley, COO at Datum Datacentres, comments, “After Principle Networks successfully delivered a similar project at our Farnborough data centre facility, we decided to appoint them as a preferred partner for our new Manchester facility. This complex and critical project required a team that we could trust. The highly resilient IPT provision that Principle Networks is deploying will allow us to offer our clients high performance enterprise grade connectivity with low latency and consistent performance to support digital transformation journeys. “We work with best-of-breed suppliers to provide resilient links across the UK and beyond and are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Principle Networks as a premium connectivity partner.” As specialists in designing and implementing complex data centre networks and scalable, agile cloud-based networks for mid-large enterprises, Principle Networks works across all sectors, including legal, retail, logistics, social housing, automotive, financial services, IT and local government. Russell Crowley, co-founder at Principle Networks, adds, “We are proud to have been chosen to partner with Datum to deliver the IPT network for MCR2. The development of this new data centre is great news for Manchester and will offer businesses the opportunity to host their infrastructure in one of the most well connected, resilient and cutting-edge facilities in the region. We’re excited to be a part of it and are looking forward to the new data centre coming online in the very near future.” For more from Datum Datacentres, click here.

JLL continues data centre recruitment drive with key hire

JLL has announced that Craig Adamoli has joined the company as Senior Director of Data Centre Transactions in its EMEA data centre practice, working with existing clients in a growth role. Craig brings with him 27 years of combined experience within the data centre sector and wider commercial real estate industry, where he is tasked with helping drive growth across JLL’s major hyperscale and growth accounts within EMEA. Based in London, Craig reports to Tom Glover, Head of Data Centre Transactions, EMEA. Tom comments, “We are excited to welcome Craig to the business. He’s held numerous leadership, client management and project roles throughout an impressive career. Craig joins a target driven, revenue orientated, transaction-based team that will benefit from his vast experience. His deep domain background within corporate real estate, paired with the benefit of having worked for a major data centre operator, brings important skill sets to the team and will help with our ambitious growth plans in the region.” Craig recently spent over a decade in various transactional positions at commercial real estate firm, Newmark. Prior to those roles, he worked within Occupier Services at CRBE, before joining Global Switch to run the data centre operator’s London campus. Adamoli’s background also includes time spent heading up mobile communications giant Nokia’s Transaction EMEA Management Team. Craig joins during a time of record demand in the data centre industry. JLL Research recently published a report revealing the sector will grow at a phenomenal pace in 2025. Across the hyperscale and colocation segments, an estimated 10 GW is projected to break ground globally in 2025, while 7 GW will likely reach completion. Based on this current pace of under construction and planned developments, the global data centre market will likely expand at a baseline 15% CAGR through 2027 – with the potential to reach 20%. “I wanted to join a team that was mature, but also had a great growth trajectory and I’m delighted to have found that here at JLL,” Craig states. “With all of the ongoing technological advancements in the sector, this is a burgeoning young industry with huge potential that requires best in class operators. I’m excited to be working within a team that has exceptional subject matter expertise to deliver exceptional value for our clients.” For more from JLL, click here.

Ooredoo and DE-CIX bring Internet Exchange to Qatar

Ooredoo, a Qatar-based telecommunications operator, in partnership with DE-CIX, a global operator of carrier-neutral Internet Exchanges (IX), has officially announced Doha IX powered by DE-CIX, Qatar’s first standalone commercial Internet Exchange (IX). Leveraging DE-CIX’s global expertise, developed across nearly 60 locations worldwide, this initiative strengthens Qatar’s position as a regional digital hub by enhancing connectivity, reducing costs, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Doha IX will offer a secure, carrier-neutral platform that facilitates low-latency traffic exchange, improves network performance, and supports remote peering services. Businesses in Qatar and across the region will benefit from cost-effective, direct access to global and regional content providers, streamlining connectivity through a single port while significantly reducing traditional IP Transit costs. Doha IX is built on DE-CIX’s cutting-edge interconnection infrastructure and Ooredoo’s state-of-the-art data centres. Supported by both partners’ established relationships with global content providers and networks, these critical assets ensure seamless and efficient traffic exchange, reducing latency, optimising network performance, and creating a robust Internet Exchange ecosystem in Qatar. “We are proud to introduce Doha IX, which represents a significant step in upgrading Qatar’s digital infrastructure,” says Thani Ali Al Malki, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Qatar. “Doha IX delivers faster, more reliable connectivity while reducing operational costs for businesses and driving innovation across various industries, aligning with the goals of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and advancing our digital transformation initiatives.” Ivo Ivanov (pictured above, right), CEO of DE-CIX, adds, “With Doha IX powered by DE-CIX, we are bringing DE-CIX’s global expertise to Qatar, enabling businesses and networks to benefit from superior interconnection services. Doha IX is the ideal place for international networks interested in reaching this important Middle Eastern market. The new IX, established through the partnership between DE-CIX and Ooredoo, will unleash the potential of the country’s digital economy by providing better performance and user experience of content and applications, and affordable and high-quality Internet access for enterprises and individuals. This partnership marks an important milestone in strengthening regional connectivity and creating an advanced digital ecosystem that supports economic growth and innovation in the GCC for the amazing digital decades ahead of us.” DE-CIX is an established name in the Middle East, with a proven track record of developing healthy IXs and vibrant interconnection ecosystems. Doha IX, which will be built and operated under the DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model, is the sixth IX operated by DE-CIX in the region. Through this collaboration, Ooredoo and DE-CIX are setting the foundation for advanced interconnection in the region. Together, they support Qatar’s digital transformation goals and are seeking to position the country as a leader in the global digital economy, aligning with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Lightpath announces LightCube edge data centres

Lightpath, an all-fibre, infrastructure-based connectivity provider seeking to revolutionise how organisations connect to their digital destinations, has closed the transaction to acquire substantially all of the assets of United Fiber and Data (UFD). The company has also introduced LightCube edge data centres, which will first be deployed along its NYC-Ashburn strategic network route. The company states that the asset additions elevate its position in the digital infrastructure industry, and expand its reach in the New York Metro and Ashburn markets. Lightpath adds the geographically diverse, 323-mile NYC-Ashburn route, as the company continues to amass new and unique route options between these markets. Lightpath also adds 79-miles of metro fibre in New Jersey and New York City, and approximately 250 new commercial service locations in Manhattan. Lightpath now offers over 1,500 enterprise and data centre service locations in Manhattan alone, a five-fold increase over the last three years. Lightpath’s New York City to Ashburn network route is geographically diverse from typical network routes along the I-95 corridor and offers the industry’s lowest latency between the largest population centre in the country and the largest data centre and cloud ecosystem in the world. Service options on this route include dark fibre and wavelengths up to 800 Gbps. Tim Haverkate, EVP of Major Infrastructure Solutions at Lightpath, comments, “This route represents a unique opportunity for customers to connect these critical markets with diversity, latency management, and soon, the addition of edge compute facilities. Lightpath has seen surging demand on this route, with nearly 25% of the cable under contract, a 3.5 times increase since the transaction was initially announced. Further, we are engaged in active conversations with 20 customers resulting in an opportunity pipeline that would oversubscribe the route as it exists today.” Lightpath customers can connect to almost any data centre in the Ashburn region and, in total, can connect to over 140 data centres across its footprint. Lightpath can route customers from any on-net data centres in New York Metro or Boston Metro to Ashburn utilising this route, while also delivering routing options along the I-95 corridor to support services on the NYC-Ashburn route.Lightpath has also introduced LightCube edge data centres – modular, secure, and customisable facilities that fully support the capacity for 864-count fibre cables and the corresponding space and power for edge compute workloads. Lightpath will be upgrading four existing ILAs on the NYC-Ashburn route with new LightCubes in response to customer demand. “This route represents a strategic addition to the Lightpath network, extending our reach from the north-east into the ever-expanding data centre ecosystem in Ashburn,” states Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath. “We will continue to aggressively pursue organic and inorganic opportunities to meet both the metro and the long-haul requirements on behalf of our hyperscaler, carrier, and enterprise customers.” For more from Lightpath, click here.