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A recap of some of the stories that we found interesting in the data centre world in 2024, along with some of the pieces that STL published.
January
Google expands of UK data centre presence
Google progressed with its $1 billion investment to expand its UK data center presence by constructing a new facility in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. The site spans 33 acres and will significantly enhance Google’s data infrastructure in the region, supporting growing demand for its services.
STL Partners published thought leadership on how data centre strategies must evolve to cope with AI and changing customer demands: Regional data centres strategy: At a crossroads?
February
Governments aim to restrict data centre energy usage
Governments worldwide, including in Ireland, Germany, Singapore, and China, have announced stricter regulations on new data centers due to concerns over their energy usage. In Ireland, data centers were projected to account for 32% of national electricity demand by 2026, leading to the rejection of new projects. These restrictions aim to curb the strain on national electricity grids and meet environmental goals.
STL Partners collaborated with Iceotope, a precision liquid cooling provider, to publish research investigating sustainability strategies at the edge
March
Amazon acquires nuclear-powered data centre in US
Amazon completed the acquisition of a Pennsylvania-based nuclear-powered data centre for $650 million. The facility, powered by small modular reactors (SMRs), represents a significant shift toward clean, reliable energy for hyperscale operators. This deal underscores a growing interest in nuclear energy as a solution to the rising energy demands of AI and cloud computing.
STL Partners attended Data Centre World 2024 in London, here you can find our 6 key takeaways from the event.
April
Blackstone group acquires Britishvolt site for European data centre drive
The Blackstone Group purchased the former Britishvolt site in Northumberland, England, with plans to invest £10 billion in developing one of Europe’s largest green data centres. Powered entirely by renewable energy, the facility will feature cutting-edge cooling technologies and support the region’s transition to a digital-first economy. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the UK’s data centre industry.
STL Partners published our Data Centres Glossary: Key Definitions and Insights
May
Google announces ambitious heat recovery directive
Google announced a $1 billion investment to implement its heat recovery project at its Hamina, Finland, data center. This initiative aimed to recycle excess heat to support the local district heating network, covering 80% of the district’s annual heat demand. The project is part of Google’s broader sustainability goals, with the company targeting net-zero emissions by 2030.
STL Partners published an article looking at the Top 8 Data Centres Investors Funding Edge in 2024.
June
Microsoft ends efforts towards underwater data centres
Microsoft officially abandoned its Project Natick, which aimed to create underwater data centres for improved energy efficiency. While the project initially showed promise, it ultimately failed to achieve long-term viability, though valuable lessons, such as better server longevity in controlled conditions, were still gained for future data centre innovations.
STL Partners attended DataCloud Global Congress in Cannes.
July
Australian military partners with Amazon to build secure data centres
Australia secured a $1.35 billion deal with Amazon to build three data centres, aimed at enhancing military and intelligence capabilities. The centres, which were scheduled to become operational by 2027, centralised sensitive data storage and improved collaboration between Australia’s National Intelligence Community and Defence Force.
STL Partners published a new article on How does AI impact data centres?
August
US Department of Energy takes aim at data centre energy crisis
The US Department of Energy’s advisory board recommended creating an AI data center testbed to improve energy efficiency for AI training and inference. The initiative aimed to address the growing energy demands of AI infrastructure, develop flexible energy solutions, and enhance grid services, while exploring innovative power sources and backup systems. The report called for new legislation, grid upgrades, and collaboration between industry stakeholders to manage AI’s energy impact.
STL Partners published a new article on Data Centre Optimisation: Strategies for Enhancing Performance and Efficiency
September
UK enhances data centre protection
The UK government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), recognising their crucial role in supporting the economy and ensuring security. This move included bolstered protection against cyber threats and disruptions, along with greater government support during incidents. It also encouraged significant investment, including a proposed £3.75 billion data centre project in Hertfordshire.
STL Partners attended Platform Global 2024 in Antibes
October
UK consolidates data centre drive
A new £1.9bn data centre campus was announced to be developed by CloudHQ in Didcot, Oxfordshire, near the site of the former Didcot A power station. The project, expected to create 1,500 construction jobs and 100 permanent positions, supports the UK’s growing AI and machine learning demands and aligns with the UK government’s push to boost investment in critical infrastructure.
STL Partners published a new article on GPU-as-a-Service: What Is It, Trends and Leading Providers
November
Regulatory concerns over power supply to Amazon data centres
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) rejected an application by Talen Energy to supply electricity to Amazon’s Pennsylvania data centre. The decision stemmed from concerns about the strain on local energy grids. The ruling highlights growing tensions between data centre operators and regulators over balancing digital growth with grid stability.
STL Partners published a new article on Data Centre Security: Key Principles and Best Practices
December
Microsoft’s AI chip investment
Microsoft significantly expanded its AI capabilities by purchasing 485,000 Nvidia Hopper AI chips, doubling its competitors’ acquisitions. This investment will power AI workloads across its global data centre network, including facilities in Ireland and the Netherlands. These chips, designed for high-efficiency performance, align with sustainability goals by optimising energy consumption in AI-driven tasks.
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