Insight Type: News

Our impressive 2025 GRESB results

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Our latest assessment

We’re delighted to share the exceptional news of our 2025 GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) results, which demonstrate our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices across all operational areas.

Score improvement

Our GRESB score has increased from 90 in 2024 to 93 in 2025, surpassing the benchmark average of 89. This achievement reflects not only our dedication to environmental excellence but our comprehensive approach to sustainable business operations that encompasses every aspect of our organisation.

We secured first place in our peer group for data centres, and first place within the ‘data infrastructure: data storage’ category across Europe.

Exceptional management and performance scores

Our management capabilities have been recognised with an outstanding score of 37 out of 40, substantially exceeding the benchmark average of 29. This result highlights the effectiveness of our leadership team’s strategic approach to sustainability integration and operational excellence.

The overall performance score tells an equally impressive story. We achieved 56 out of 60 points, compared to the benchmark average of 46 – a 10-point advantage over industry peers.

The detailed breakdown of our GRESB assessment reveals consistent excellence across all three core pillars of evaluation:

Environmental excellence

Our environmental score of 21 out of 23 surpasses the peer group average of 19, reflecting our commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovative technologies, energy efficiency measures, and sustainable operational practices. This achievement demonstrates our proactive approach to environmental stewardship within the energy-intensive data centre industry.

Social responsibility leadership

With a score of 49 out of 53, we’ve significantly outperformed the peer group average of 38. This substantial 11-point advantage highlights our dedication to creating positive social impact through our operations, employment practices, community engagement, and stakeholder relationships.

Governance strength

Our governance score of 23 out of 24 far exceeds the peer group average of 17, showcasing our robust corporate governance frameworks, transparency, and accountability measures. This score reflects our commitment to ethical business practices and responsible corporate citizenship.

A holistic approach to sustainability

What makes these results particularly meaningful is the comprehensive nature of the GRESB assessment, which is based on a thorough examination of our entire business ecosystem.

The assessment encompasses client interactions, examining how we engage with our clients and deliver value whilst maintaining sustainable practices.

Health and safety protocols form a crucial component of the assessment, reflecting our commitment to creating safe working environments and protecting the wellbeing of our employees, contractors, and visitors. Our leadership practices are scrutinised to ensure they demonstrate genuine commitment to sustainability integration at all organisational levels.

Day-to-day operations receive particular attention, as these reflect the practical implementation of our sustainability policies and demonstrate whether our commitments translate into meaningful action across all business functions.

Continuous improvement and future commitments

Whilst we’re celebrating these outstanding results, they also reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement. The slight gaps between our scores and the maximum possible points highlight opportunities for further enhancement across all areas of our operations.

Our 2025 GRESB results validate our comprehensive approach to sustainable business practices whilst motivating us to maintain our leadership position through ongoing innovation and operational excellence.

These achievements reflect the dedication of our entire team, whose daily efforts to integrate sustainability principles into every aspect of our operations have created measurable value for our stakeholders and the broader data centre industry.

As we move forward, these results provide a solid foundation for continued leadership in sustainable data centre operations, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and business excellence go hand in hand at Datum Datacentres.

Experience our sustainable data centres first hand

If you’d like to see our sustainable data centres in action, why not visit our Manchester and London edge sites in person? Get in touch to arrange a visit, or to find out more information.

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Celebrating culture and community – Manchester’s Japan Week

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Sponsoring the celebrations

The Wythenshawe Forum hosted activities showcasing Japanese culture at this week’s Japan Week celebrations. As part of Manchester City Council’s city-wide cultural provision, the event offered an opportunity for the community to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of Japan, and we were pleased to play our part by sponsoring the Wythenshawe celebrations.

Having recently completed our newest Manchester data centre (MCR2) on our existing Manchester campus in the heart of Wythenshawe – the first tangible construction project in the £500m Wythenshawe regeneration – we are dedicated to creating lasting positive impacts in the area beyond our digital infrastructure. Sponsoring Japan Week was a perfect way to celebrate culture, foster community spirit, and connect with the people of Wythenshawe in a meaningful way.

A journey through Japanese traditions

For its Japan Week celebrations (from 4-9 September), demonstrations and hands-on workshops were held across Manchester, including:

  • a traditional tea ceremony (Sadō): a tea master guided participants through the mindful process of a Japanese tea ceremony. Observers learned about the symbolism behind every deliberate movement, gaining an appreciation for the harmony, respect, and tranquility at the heart of this ancient practice;
  • Ikebana workshop: visitors explored the poetic art of Japanese flower arrangement, which involves an understanding of space, balance, and the beauty of nature.
  • Japanese calligraphy (Shodō): attendees tried their hand at Japanese-style brush lettering;
  • martial arts demonstrations: demonstrations of Judo, Karate, and Jujitsu gave insight into the history and philosophy behind each form. There were even opportunities for attendees to try some simple techniques in guided sessions;
  • Samurai and Taiko drumming: the powerful beat of Taiko drums accompanied by Samurai performers, showcasing Japanese performance art;
  • Origami and traditional games: workshops showed how to turn a simple sheet of paper into intricate figures and people learned and played traditional Japanese interactive games.

Connecting with the community and investing in the region’s future

Beyond the cultural celebrations, Japan Week provided a valuable platform for us to engage directly with local residents and businesses. We set up a pop-up stand on the concourse to share information and chat with people about the opportunities we are creating in the area.

The completion of our new MCR2 data centre is a significant milestone, not only for our company but for the region. It represents a major investment in local infrastructure and job creation, reinforcing the region’s position as a vital digital hub. We believe that investing in both technological advancement and cultural enrichment is key to fostering a thriving community, and we look forward to continuing our support for local initiatives that benefit the community and wider region.

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Mike Kane MP visits our Manchester site

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Celebrating local impact

Mike Kane MP, Member of Parliament for Wythenshawe and Sale East and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, recently visited our Manchester site. As a true local, born and bred in Wythenshawe, Mike’s visit was significant for us, and gave us the opportunity to get another truly local perspective on our role within the community after the ribbon was cut on our brand new MCR2 facility by Councillor Emma Taylor, Labour Councillor for the Sharston Ward, whose family still live in very close proximity to our Manchester site.

MCR2 as part of Wythenshawe’s regeneration

The visit centred around our newly launched MCR2 data centre, the first completed project in the ambitious £500 million regeneration plan for Wythenshawe. MCR2 represents a major step forward in supporting the region’s growing data centre needs and driving economic development. However, Mike also took a keen interest in MCR1, our original facility, which was converted from an office building into a state-of-the-art data centre back in 2007.

During his visit, Mike even ventured onto the roof of MCR1 to take in the panoramic views of Wythenshawe and the surrounding areas, capturing the moment in a video. He was interested in the site’s history, including the demolition of the former job centre to make way for MCR2, and the future plans for the site, such as tree planting scheduled for the autumn. We’re delighted that Mike expressed interest in planting a tree himself, and we look forward to welcoming him back for this occasion.

Engaging with the local community

Mike’s background as a former teacher shone through as he expressed interest in our plans to take part in educational initiatives. We shared details of our collaboration with local colleges at our Farnborough site where we recently hosted Year 1 Digital T Level students from Farnborough College of Technology, offering them a hands-on exploration of our operational data centre. The students gained valuable insights into the role of data centres in the IT industry and learned about our sustainability efforts, and this is something we’re keen to develop at our Manchester site too.

We also highlighted our commitment to supporting the local economy by contracting local companies for the construction of MCR2. This approach ensured that the benefits of our projects extend beyond our facilities and into the wider community.

Sustainability and innovation

Sustainability was a key topic of discussion during Mike’s visit. He was keen to know more about the PV solar panels on the roof of MCR2 and was particularly interested in the heat reuse capabilities of the facility. Data centres are known for generating significant amounts of heat, and we are turning this by-product into an opportunity. With a housing development of 700–1,500 dwellings planned just 20 metres from the site, we have incorporated heat reuse technology into MCR2’s construction – providing the ability for the excess heat generated by our data centre and colocated organisations to be redistributed to the new housing.

Unparalleled security

Mike also enquired about the security measures in place at our facilities. We were proud to share that MCR1 is unique in the UK, featuring an on-site NSI Gold Approved BS5979 police-linked alarm receiving centre. This ensures the highest level of security for our operations and the equipment colocated at our site.

Next steps …

Mike Kane’s visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the progress we’ve made and the positive impact our data centres are having on Wythenshawe and the wider region, and his genuine interest in our work, from sustainability initiatives to community engagement, was very encouraging.

We’re excited about the future and look forward to continuing our work in Wythenshawe, contributing to its regeneration. And, of course, we can’t wait to welcome Mike back in October to plant a tree as our site continues to grow.

In the meantime, if you’d like the opportunity to explore our two UK data centre sites (Manchester and Farnborough), get in touch.

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Launching MCR2 – a catalyst for the region’s regeneration

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A grand opening in Wythenshawe

Last week, we celebrated the highly anticipated launch of MCR2, our brand new, state of the art data centre in Wythenshawe. Despite a few ominous clouds looming before the event, the weather turned in our favour, albeit with some gusts of wind that made the setting up of the ceremonial ribbon harder than it should have been. With the celebratory prosecco flowing, and the atmosphere was great.

A community-centric celebration

At the heart of the ceremony was Councillor Emma Taylor, the Labour Councillor for the Sharston ward. A long-time resident with deep ties to the local community, Councillor Taylor was a fitting guest of honour to cut the ribbon at this event. Adding a personal touch, she was joined by her father, also still a local resident, who had followed the construction of MCR2 from the outset. His role in championing the project among neighbours highlighted the community’s involvement and support. It was a privilege to benefit from a truly local perspective at the event – to hear their views on the area’s needs and sense their genuine commitment to the region’s development.

The close partnership with Manchester City Council was another key driver of MCR2’s success. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on this collaboration, with representatives from the council joining the celebration to celebrate our successful public/private sector partnership.

Highlights of the day

For the companies involved in bringing MCR2 to life, this event was a great opportunity to step back, admire the finished product, and understand how each element came together to realise the vision. This was especially significant for the project’s senior architect, who had not previously seen the completed building in person.

Before our guests had the opportunity to explore MCR2, we kicked off with a few words from key individuals:

Dominic Phillips (Datum CEO)

Dominic expressed pride in contributing to the regeneration of this part of the city. He highlighted the integral role data centres play in the modern data economy, emphasising their position within the broader ecosystem – with hundreds of clients across our data centres, these facilities not only provide employment opportunities but also significantly contribute to the growth of local economies, particularly in tech hubs like Manchester. He also underscored Datum’s commitment to minimising environmental impact, ensuring that every possible effort is made to operate as sustainably as possible.

Dominic Phillips at the podium

Jon Healy (Keysource MD)

Jon Healy at the podium

Jon Healy, Managing Director at Keysource, a Salute company, shared his insights into the relationship between Keysource and Datum – a relationship that has been running for over a decade. Jon thanked the Datum leadership and board for entrusting Keysource with the significant undertaking of transforming the MCR2 site from a derelict job centre into the state-of-the-art data centre it is today. He highlighted the importance of the collaboration between Keysource and Datum, which has been instrumental in shaping the approach to this project, enabling the team to navigate specific market and supply chain challenges effectively, and facilitating the innovation required for this sustainable construction.

Councillor Emma Taylor

Councillor Emma Taylor placed the project in context, expressing her excitement about its role in kickstarting the regeneration of Wythenshawe. She emphasised the importance of data centres as a vital component of Manchester’s digital infrastructure, serving as anchors for investment and drivers of local growth. She highlighted how the construction of MCR2 reflects the city council’s strong commitment to investing in the development and future of Wythenshawe.

Emma Taylor at the podium

Tours around MCR2

Guests were taken on tours of the facility, and the first-floor data hall left a strong impression with its high ceilings still visible whilst the hall awaits its final fitout. Not to mention the outdoor roof space housing the data centre’s condensers, which, for the purposes of the launch event became known as the ‘sun terrace’!.

Being able to host the event inside MCR2 itself added a unique element to the launch. Standing in the very space we were celebrating gave attendees a tangible sense of the data centre’s scope and future impact.

A catalyst for change in Wythenshawe

MCR2 represents the first major construction project in the area’s regeneration plan, setting the scene for future projects to follow and offering a glimpse into a more connected future for the area. With brand new, state of the art capacity now available just south of Manchester, this is the ideal time to talk to us about moving your business critical IT and workloads off premise.

To find out more about MCR2, take a look at our technical specification, get in touch to talk to a member of our team, or book a tour of one of our data centres to see our facilities for yourself.

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MCR2 data centre – the timeline of a build

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Behind the scenes of MCR2

After nearly two years of meticulous planning and construction, we’re thrilled to officially launch our brand-new MCR2 data centre in Manchester this week. Our team has worked tirelessly to deliver this complex, enterprise-grade facility in one of the UK’s most important tech hubs, and we couldn’t be prouder of the end result.

From demolition to completion – how MCR2 came to life

If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in building a data centre capable of meeting the demands of modern business, here’s a look at some (but by no means all) of the key stages of the MCR2 build timeline.

August 2023 – demolition begins

The project kicked off with the demolition of a longstanding job centre on the site. Clearing this space was the first step towards laying the groundwork for something far greater.

April 2024 – foundations and infrastructure

Once the demolition was complete, we broke ground on the foundations. This also included the construction of an attenuation tank, a vital component for effective water management on-site.

July 2024 – mega structure takes shape

The first part of the facility’s massive structure was installed, marking a pivotal moment in the construction timeline.

August 2024 – roof installation

The roof base layer was installed on the now-completed frame, providing the structure with essential protection.

September 2024 – advancing progress

This was a particularly productive month. The roll-formed roofing sheets were produced and installed, followed by the final roof skin and insulation layer. We also prepared the ground and first floors for concrete.

October 2024 – exterior elements

The focus shifted to the exterior walls, with the installation of cladding and the application of fire-retardant paint to the steelwork. These measures not only ensure safety but also contribute to the overall durability of the structure.

December 2024 – internal systems begin

The final layer of exterior cladding was added, along with internal white wall cladding. Additionally, chilled water-loop pipework was installed, a critical part of the cooling system that ensures operational efficiency.

January 2025 – major installations

Despite the snow, the gantry was erected, generators were positioned, and internal fire safety systems, along with fan wall units, were installed. These essential components marked significant progress towards operational readiness.

February 2025 – ceiling framework and busbars

To prepare the data halls for their eventual operation, we installed suspended ceiling frames and busbar systems. These are key elements for electrical distribution within the facility.

March 2025 – installation of switchgear

Switchgear installation was completed, further solidifying MCR2’s ability to handle complex power needs effectively and safely.

April 2025 – final touches and landscaping

Air conditioning condensers and solar PV systems were installed to optimise energy efficiency. We also began landscaping work to enhance the site’s external aesthetic and environmental integration.

May 2025 – testing and completion

The final milestone arrived with load bank testing carried out in the completed data hall. This crucial step ensured that all systems were fully functional and ready to meet the needs of our future clients.

Enterprise-grade facilities for Manchester

MCR2 will play a central role in the ongoing growth and innovation of Manchester’s thriving tech community. By providing enterprise-grade data centre facilities, we’re proud to play a part in supporting businesses that demand reliability, scalability, and future-proof solutions.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in making this project a reality. From the foundations to the still ongoing final touches, every stage of the MCR2 build reflects the hard work and collaboration of an exceptional team.

For this week, we are rewarding ourselves with a brief moment to celebrate the launch of MCR2 and showing what we have accomplished since summer 2023.

Want to learn more about MCR2 or our other UK data centres? Get in touch with a member of our team to find out how we can help your business grow with secure, scalable data centre solutions.

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Preparing to launch MCR2 – our sustainable data centre development in Manchester

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Drum roll please ...

Next week marks the grand opening of MCR2, our brand-new, state-of-the-art sustainable data centre in Manchester located adjacent to our existing facility, MCR1. This launch follows a two-year construction project delivered in collaboration with our trusted design and build partner, Keysource.

Why Manchester?

The construction of MCR2 takes place against the regeneration of Wythenshawe, which will see an investment of over £500m over the next 10 years and will include the transformation of a 1970s shopping centre and the surrounding areas to include a new public square, new shops, net zero carbon commercial, community and cultural space, and more than 1,750 new homes built on council-owned land.

Our decision to build another facility in Manchester was driven by the region’s continually growing need for high-quality, purpose-built data centre facilities. And with ESG considerations taking an increasingly prominent role for stakeholders, data centre clients and the industry as a whole, the need for this infrastructure to be responsibly delivered is growing in importance. MCR2 addresses this need by delivering a state-of-the-art facility underpinned by sustainable design principles, to provide efficient, reliable, and cutting-edge data solutions.  

How the project stands out

MCR2 is the first construction project to be completed in the regeneration of Wythenshawe, acting as a catalyst and momentum boost for sustainable development in the area. 

Built with sustainability at its core, the project includes innovative features such as: 

  • An embodied carbon assessment, conducted at the concept design stage according to BS EN 15978:2011 standards, to quantify and minimise the environmental impact throughout the construction and life cycle of the data centre.  
  • Attenuation tank, which collects and manages rainwater that falls within the footprint of the building, mitigating the risk of local flooding and reducing pressure on wastewater treatment facilities.  
    • >Heat reuse capability, designed to transfer excess heat from the data centre to a nearby local heat network, potentially heating 700 to 1,500 homes planned just 20 metres from the site.  
  • Powered entirely by sustainable energy sources – MCR2 uses clean energy from renewable sources, features solar PV roof panels and emergency generators running on renewable HVO biofuels. 

Project outcomes

Wythenshawe regeneration

MCR2 is the first construction project in the broader regeneration of Wythenshawe. It will play a pivotal role in positioning the area as a leader in digital infrastructure. This is expected to draw businesses to the region and further establish it as a thriving centre for innovation.  

Manchester as a tech hub

Manchester has lacked purpose-built, efficient, sustainable, and advanced data centres, lagging other digital hubs. MCR2 aims to close this gap, strengthening Manchester’s status as a leading tech hub for the future. 

Sustainable data centre solutions

Sustainability has been central to MCR2’s ethos from the start. Every detail was planned to minimise carbon impact and maximise efficiency through environmentally-conscious design. By incorporating energy-efficient systems, MCR2 helps tenants and their clients meet ESG targets without compromising on technical performance. 

Heat reuse

The incorporation of heat reuse technology into MCR2’s design has the potential to provide heating to local housing, turning waste heat into an environmentally and economically friendly contribution to the community. This benefit will begin once housing developments and heat reuse systems are integrated, showcasing Datum’s commitment to sustainable, community-focused development. 

Employment opportunities for local area

Since 2007, MCR1 has created local jobs and opportunities. MCR2 will expand this legacy with apprenticeships, graduate schemes, back-office roles, and skilled engineering positions – fostering talent and promoting long-term personal and economic growth in the Manchester area. 

See for yourself

Guests attending next week’s launch event will have the opportunity to explore our brand-new data centre facility. For those not attending, or interested in visiting our other locations, please book a tour of FRN1 in Farnborough or MCR1/MCR2 in Manchester and we would be pleased to arrange your visit.

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Striving for excellence - our ISO accreditations

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ISO audits completed

The first half of this year has been a busy time for James Hagan, our Compliance and Sustainability Lead, and the rest of the Datum team. We’re delighted to announce the successful completion of several important ISO accreditation audits, reflecting our commitment to quality, security, sustainability, and continuous improvement across all aspects of our business.

A closer look at what we’ve achieved

Transitioning and re-certifying ISO 27001:2022

One of the highlights of our recent efforts was the transition to the 27001:2022, coupled with a full re-certification of the standard. Over 4.5 days, BSI rigorously audited every element of our Information Security Management System (ISMS).

BSI recognised that we’re not only maintaining but improving our ISMS year after year. All the new controls required by the 2022 update had been successfully implemented since our last audit, demonstrating our dedication to protecting data and ensuring information security for our clients.

Improving energy and environmental management with ISO 50001 and ISO 14001

Sustainability remains at the heart of who we are, and this was evident in our recent ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 audits. The audits confirmed that we are continuously improving our energy performance and aligning our efforts with environmental best practices; the work we have undertaken to develop and maintain our Energy Management System (EnMS) and Environmental Management System (EMS) meets the requirements of both standards.

Re-certifying ISO 9001:2015

We are also pleased to have successfully completed a full re-certification of ISO 9001:2015. During the audit, BSI highlighted our commitment to maintaining and improving our Quality Management System. They noted that the principles of the accreditation are generally embedded in our daily operations, helping us achieve our strategic goals while delivering consistent value to our clients.

Preparing for the next chapter

While we celebrate these achievements, we’re already preparing for the next stage of our ISO journey. Our team is working hard to extend the scopes of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001 to our Manchester site. This expansion will ensure that our high standards of quality, environmental responsibility, and energy management are applied consistently across all locations.

We also welcome the valuable feedback provided by BSI during these audits. By addressing opportunities for improvement and minor non-conformities, we continue to refine our processes and enhance our readiness for the next round of audits. Ultimately, these efforts allow us to share the benefits of best practices with our clients, delivering even greater value.

A commitment to constant growth

At Datum, we view ISO certifications as more than just standards to meet; they embody our ethos of striving for excellence in everything we do. These certifications are integral to our promise of delivering reliable, secure, and sustainable solutions for our clients. We extend our gratitude to the entire Datum team for their hard work and dedication during these audits.

See excellence in action

Our accreditations validate our offering and provide assurance that we deliver on our promises. If you’re looking for an off premise data centre for your business-critical IT infrastructure and workloads, get in touch with a member of our team, or book a tour of our Farnborough or Manchester facilities.

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Why we’ve been shortlisted for two Data Centre Review Excellence Awards

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The awards

We are excited to have been shortlisted in two categories in this year’s Data Centre Review Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate the companies and individuals driving innovation, sustainability, and excellence within the data centre industry – and we are honoured to be recognised for our efforts.

Both awards centre around our soon-to-be-completed MCR2 data centre construction in Wythenshawe, a construction that forms part of the area’s £500m regeneration project, including new homes, cultural spaces, and sustainable commercial facilities.

The categories

Category #1: Sustainable Project of the Year

Our heat reuse initiative at MCR2 has earned us a spot in this category. Data centres are often criticised for generating large amounts of heat, but we have transformed this challenge into an opportunity.

Located just 20 metres from a planned housing development of 700–1,500 dwellings, MCR2 has been built with heat reuse capability integrated into its design. This means that excess heat produced by the data centre – and the colocated organisations within it – can be recycled to warm these new homes through a local heat network. Importantly, it demonstrates how data centre infrastructure can align with long-term sustainability goals and benefit the surrounding communities. By partnering with Manchester City Council and Muse (our regeneration partner), we’ve been able to embed transformational, forward-thinking design into the heart of this development.

What makes this project unique?

  • Proactive design: integrating heat reuse into the initial construction avoids the immense complexity and cost of retrofitting later.
  • Community impact: demonstrating that essential infrastructure can support Wythenshawe’s residents with potential sustainable heat solutions.
  • Future-focused: showing how sustainability should be at the core of such construction projects.

Category #2: Data Centre Design Project of the Year

MCR2 has also been nominated for its cutting-edge design, which balances sustainability, operational efficiency, and reliability to meet the growing demand for high-quality data centre facilities in Manchester.

What sets MCR2 apart?

  • Environmental responsibility: from an embodied carbon assessment conducted at the design stage onwards, every decision has been made with a view to reducing environmental impact.
  • Flood management: an attenuation tank mitigates against the potential impact of major rainfall events, helping protect the local area and reducing pressure on nearby wastewater systems.
  • Renewable energy-focused: the facility is powered entirely by zero carbon 100% renewable electricity. Solar PV panels have been installed on the roof, while emergency generators are configured to run exclusively on renewable HVO biofuels.
  • Heat reuse capability: by building heat reuse capabilities into the infrastructure, MCR2 ensures it is able to support a future local heat network – highlighting its commitment to long-term sustainable solutions.

Looking forward

We are proud to push the boundaries of what a data centre can achieve by aligning technological advancements with environmental and community goals. The awards ceremony will take place on 14 May 2025 at the Oxo Tower, London, and we are honoured to stand among the other nominees shaping the future of our sector.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our partners for this project: Keysource (our trusted design and build partner), Manchester City Council, and Muse (our regeneration partner).

If you’d like to learn more about our shortlisted projects or our focus on the provision sustainable data centre services, talk to us today.

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Reflections from Data Centre World (DCW) 2025

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Highlights

Last week, members of our team attended Data Centre World (DCW). The event provided a great chance to take part in sessions and insightful discussions, connect with clients and partners, catch up with suppliers involved in our soon-to-be-completed MCR2 data centre construction, and talk to prospective clients exploring off-premise data centre solutions.

How AI and sustainability are shaping data centre demand

Alongside connecting with the data centre community, the event surfaced key themes and trends that align with our priorities and values. A few topics particularly stood out for us during DCW, including data centre sustainability, and the general industry focus on AI and HPC and the subsequent impact on the requirement for resilient and scalable data centre capacity.

Sustainability is pivotal for the future of data centres, and it’s at the core of our business. As we continue constructing our new data centre in Manchester (MCR2), we’re proud to showcase how sustainable design and practices are ingrained in our DNA.

With rising energy demands from sectors like AI and HPC, balancing operational efficiency with environmental responsibility is more crucial than ever. At DCW, there was widespread recognition of the need for sustainable data centre solutions, and we are excited to be at the forefront of addressing this challenge.

Key takeaways from DCW

Through conversations, sessions, and feedback at the event, several key takeaways emerged about the demands and challenges faced by enterprises and service providers today. Here are the top trends we observed:

1. Demand for resilient and sustainable UK data centres

Enterprises and service providers are facing mounting pressure to access secure, high-quality, and sustainable data centre facilities. To meet this demand, we are constructing MCR2 in Manchester and are currently planning FRN2 at our Farnborough site.

Another recurring theme was how enterprises managing in-house data centres are increasingly turning to colocation or cloud solutions. This shift is often motivated by the need to meet ESG targets, reduce operating costs, and avoid costly, resource-intensive upgrades to outdated mechanical and electrical systems.

2. Data residency and sovereignty

Keeping control over data through data residency within the UK/EU remains a priority for many enterprises, driven in part by the uncertain posture of the US government and growing concerns over data sovereignty.

3. Edge computing growth

The rise of edge computing is driving demand for distributed data, which in turn requires increased data centre capacity to ensure these systems are resilient, local, and capable of handling high-demand workloads.

4. Backup for hybrid cloud services

There’s significant growth in third-party data backup services, particularly those providing localised control over hyperscaler cloud services like Microsoft 365 backup as a service (BaaS), workplace recovery solutions, and cloud disaster recovery.

Looking forward

We left DCW inspired by the opportunities ahead. For businesses seeking immediate capacity, our white space availability in two highly resilient and sustainable locations provides a ready-to-go solution. Whether you’re looking to expand your edge computing capabilities, secure backup options, or reduce dependency on in-house data centres, we offer the resilience, sustainability, and agility you need to grow.

DCW reaffirmed that we’re on the right path. By addressing the evolving demands of the market – through sustainability, enterprise-focused solutions, and forward-thinking technology – we’re perfectly positioned to continue leading the way. Challenges like supply chain disruption further emphasise why flexibility and agility are critical for modern enterprises. We’re confident in our ability to meet these demands, offering tailored solutions that align with the goals and evolving needs of enterprise clients.

Whether you’re a service provider or an organisation exploring data centre options, we’re ready to help you succeed. Learn more about how we can support your data centre needs by getting in touch with us today.

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How AI is revolutionising data centres - and the challenges ahead 

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Data centres for AI

There has been much in the news recently about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being integrated into many different industries and is reshaping the way we live and work. Data centres have a crucial role to play in powering AI technologies, and this has triggered an unprecedented demand for data centre capacity. But with this growth come some big challenges, especially when it comes to power consumption and scalability.

AI and the growing demand for data centres

The increasing adoption of AI globally is driving demand for the infrastructure required to power this technology, particularly the demand for high-performance computing (HPC) resources.

This is particularly important for the UK, which is currently ranked as the fourth-largest AI market in the world (according to the Social Market Foundation – a cross-party think-tank). Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recently pledged to fully support the growth of AI, adopting every recommendation in the ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’ devised by Matt Clifford, his AI advisor.

According to the Prime Minister, the UK cannot afford to fall behind, saying:

“We stand at a crossroads. Countries that embrace the possibility of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution will reap the benefits. Those that shy away, or join in reluctantly, will lag behind.”

AI technology requires vast computational power and data processing capabilities which, in turn, is increasing energy demand. According to the International Energy Agency, global data centre electricity consumption in 2022 accounted for around 1% to 1.3% of global final electricity demand. In all likelihood this is going to increase in light of the surge in the uptake of AI technologies, which will put more stress on power grids.

Sustaining the UK's position as an AI leader

According to the Social Market Foundation, energy prices and planning challenges could threaten the UK’s position as a world leader in AI, essentially because energy costs are holding back data centre construction ambitions.

Challenge 1: Power constraints and the future of expansion

The surge in energy usage creates challenges for scaling data centres, particularly in areas where the power grid is already stretched to its limits. Many established data centre hubs are in heavily populated regions (e.g. London) and competing demands on energy infrastructure are restricting data centre growth. Some major markets have even imposed restrictions on new data centre developments simply because the grid can’t cope. This, combined with the high prices of industrial electricity in the UK, means that the UK risks losing its most promising startups, scaleups, and researchers to countries that can offer better resources unless action is taken.

Challenge 2: Planning for new data centres

To maintain the UK’s position as a global AI leader, data centre capacity will need to be expanded in order for the UK to remain competitive. And this growth needs to be achieved sustainably. We know from experience of constructing our own data centre facilities that securing planning permission for data centres can be challenging, but that it is more than achievable so long as consideration is given to all the important factors, not least environmental impact, setting and achieving sustainability targets, ensuring a resilient power supply (prioritising renewable energy), selecting locations with robust connectivity, and gaining the support of the local community.

The path forward

We recognised the growing demand for sustainable, enterprise grade data centre infrastructure within Manchester’s thriving tech hub, so we embarked on the development of MCR2, an enterprise grade and sustainable data centre located in Wythenshawe as part of the area’s regeneration project. MCR2 will be going live in Q2 2025 and will boost the region’s capacity to drive economic innovation and growth. Meanwhile, planning permission has been granted for FRN2, a brand new data centre adjacent to our flagship Farnborough facility on the government-grade Cody Technology Park.

Are you looking to expand your data centre footprint to support your growing business? We offer two state-of-the-art data centre facilities – London Edge and Manchester – designed to meet your evolving needs. Get in touch with a member of our team today to discuss your requirements and find the perfect solution for your business.

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