Building Resilient Physical Infrastructure for Critical Data Centre Projects – Today and Beyond 

Written by Andrew Shaw, Business Development Manager for Enterprise and Data Centres at North.

The rapid expansion of AI, including Generative AI, alongside the growing trend of organisations migrating IT infrastructure to the cloud, has set the stage for unprecedented investment in global AI-ready Data Centres. Over the next five years, these investments are projected to surpass $2 trillion globally, with more than half originating from the US. This surge underscores the vital role Data Centres play in enabling technological advancement.

However, realising the potential economic and societal potential of this (r)evolution comes with challenges. Data Centre operators must deliver robust physical infrastructure to handle the surging demands from AI and IoT advancements while future-proofing for continual innovations.

The Evolving Landscape of Data Centres

From September 2024, the UK Government officially designated Data Centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), aligning them with sectors such as Defence, Energy, Transportation, and Telecommunications. While this status provides added protection and support, it also introduces more stringent compliance requirements at a time when the industry is grappling with a widely acknowledged talent shortage, not just in IT but also in construction and operations critical to Data Centres.

To stay competitive, operators must balance innovation, sustainability, efficiency, and resilience. The challenges are significant. Data Centres are resource-intensive, demanding vast amounts of energy and water for cooling while requiring innovative solutions to manage heat. While liquid cooling has been explored since the 1990s — when institutions began transitioning from outdated air-cooled systems — the rising power demands of AI-optimised servers have made advanced cooling technologies more essential than ever.

By 2027, Gartner projects AI server power consumption will reach 500 TWh per year, a 2.6-fold increase from 2023 levels. This relentless energy demand places Data Centres at risk of energy shortages, with up to 40% of AI-focused facilities potentially facing challenges. Addressing these issues requires not only advanced cooling systems but also a broader focus on efficiency and resilience.

Beyond Cooling: The Foundation of Data Centres

While the industry often spotlights on servers, and security technologies, the backbone of any Data Centre is its structured cabling. This, often-overlooked, component underpins high-speed data transmission essential for AI-driven systems. According to a Forbes report, Nvidia is expected to deliver 100,000 AI server platforms this year, with projections climbing to 1.5 million by 2027. These platforms require data transmission speeds of up to 400G, with scalability to 800G and beyond. Structured cabling systems must keep pace with these demands to ensure seamless connectivity.

Infrastructure Resilience

Building a resilient physical infrastructure begins with systems that are both scalable and reliable. A well-engineered structured cabling solution, leveraging fibre optics for core transmission and copper for localised needs, allows Data Centres to manage increasing throughput while minimising downtime. By simplifying Moves, Adds, and Changes (MACs) and ensuring accurate documentation, such systems reduce troubleshooting times and enhance operational efficiency.

Resilience also depends on diverse routing, which provides redundancy through multiple data paths. This ensures continuous operation, even during failures, while supporting future scalability. Together, structured cabling and diverse routing provide the stability and adaptability required to support modern technology demands.

Futureproofing Through Collaboration

The growing adoption of AI and cloud-based systems underscores the need for early collaboration with contractors and systems integrators. Addressing challenges such as achieving containment targets or designing scalable layouts requires input from all stakeholders to ensure infrastructure meets current and future demands.

Modern Data Centres must manage bandwidth and processing loads from IoT and advanced AI systems. The rise of edge computing, which introduces additional data traffic and bandwidth pressures, further amplifies the need for robust infrastructure. Careful planning ensures that facilities are prepared to handle decentralised networks, enabling long-term resilience and scalability.

A Trusted Partner for End-to-End Solutions

At North, we believe that technologies, like people, work better together. For over 20 years our “Stronger Networks, Smarter Places” philosophy has guided us in delivering innovative solution that integrate network technologies with intelligent systems to create smarter, more connected environments.

Our four-step approach — Discovery, Design, Deliver, Support — has built a legacy of excellence in cabling solutions and enterprise network architecture across sectors such as Public, Enterprise, Data Centres (from hyperscalers and co-location facilities), and large Campuses. We enable critical infrastructure — banks, airports, and Defence facilities — to remain secure, connected, and operational.

Partnering with a single systems integrator offers clear advantages: a unified strategy, seamless integration, and greater efficiency. As technology advances and complexity grows, North’s expertise ensures businesses can navigate and optimise their IT environments while staying competitive in an evolving landscape.

Discover how North’s innovative solutions can future-proof your Data Centre. Contact us today for further insights.