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Data Centres

Data centres are specialised facilities that house computer systems, servers, networking equipment and storage infrastructure used to process, store and distribute large volumes of digital data. They provide the physical backbone for cloud computing, internet services, enterprise applications and digital communications. Modern data centres require substantial electrical power for computing equipment and cooling systems, along with redundant connectivity, security and environmental controls. The industry has grown rapidly with the expansion of cloud services, streaming media, e-commerce and artificial intelligence applications. Data centres are typically classified by tier levels that reflect their reliability and uptime guarantees, ranging from basic facilities to highly redundant installations with multiple power and cooling paths. Major operators include technology companies, telecommunications providers and specialised real-estate investment trusts. Power consumption is a defining characteristic, with large hyperscale facilities drawing tens or hundreds of megawatts, making access to affordable and reliable electricity a key site-selection factor. The sector has become a significant driver of electricity demand in many markets, particularly as artificial intelligence workloads require more intensive processing capacity. Environmental concerns around energy use and water consumption for cooling have prompted growing interest in renewable energy procurement and efficiency improvements. Investment in data-centre infrastructure has accelerated in emerging markets, including parts of Africa, as digital adoption and connectivity expand.

Data Centres News


Australia's Beetaloo Basin
Australia's new shale basin Beetaloo sends first gas to market
1st September 2026 By: Reuters

Developers of Australia's Beetaloo basin sent the first gas from the project north to Darwin on Tuesday in what they hope will demonstrate steady flows that can underpin wider commercialisation of... 


Eskom CEO Dan Marokane
As sales to industrial customers slump by 22.5%, Eskom targets new sources of demand
31st August 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Eskom reports that it is aiming to stabilise yearly sales at the 178 TWh level reported in its 2026 financial year, which represented another 6.1% year-on-year fall. The State-owned utility has... 


Data Centre Summit connects Africa’s digital growth with the power systems needed to sustain it
31st August 2026

The Data Centre Summit returns for its second edition on 29 October 2026, co-located with the C&I Energy + Storage Summit at The Maslow Hotel in Johannesburg. Following its debut alongside Enlit... 


Image of a data centre
Reference design to accelerate AI factory deployment
28th August 2026

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric and computing solutions company AMD has announced a jointly developed and validated reference design for the AMD Helios rackscale solution that... 


Data centres key to South Africa’s economic growth – Equinix
Data centres key to South Africa’s economic growth – Equinix
28th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As the role of digital infrastructure becomes increasingly important in supporting South Africa’s economic growth, data centres have become critical in shaping this landscape, serving customers in... 


Maximising Uptime In Africa’s Data Centres Through Smarter Mro Strategies
Maximising Uptime In Africa’s Data Centres Through Smarter Mro Strategies
24th August 2026

As Africa’s digital economy continues to expand, investment in data centres is accelerating across the continent. Demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, e-commerce and... 


Designing the modern AI cooling stack
Designing the modern AI cooling stack
21st August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric In the largest year-over-year jump in AFCOM’s decade of research, the research group’s newest 2026 State of the... 


Beetaloo shale gas project in Australia
First gas from Australia's Beetaloo puts shale ambition to the test
21st August 2026 By: Reuters

Deep in Australia's Red Centre, gas is set to start flowing next month from the sprawling Beetaloo basin to Darwin 500 km (310 miles) north, in what developers hope kicks off the country's own... 


Driving Africa’s digital journey
Driving Africa’s digital journey
21st August 2026

Driving Africa’s digital journey Standard Bank Corporate & Investment Banking Executive VP for Telecommunications, Media & Technology (TMT) Client Coverage Kwanele Onyango is focused on partnering... 


EDWARD STERCK
The platinum group metals market continues to underestimate the breadth of the platinum demand profile, while overestimating the speed at which battery-electric vehicles will displace traditional automotive demand
PGM’s structural deficit underpins positive long-term outlook – WPIC
21st August 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

The long-term outlook for platinum group metals (PGMs) is continuing to strengthen as persistent supply deficits, resilient automotive demand, expanding industrial applications and constrained... 


Powering Mining's Digital Infrastructure with Generators
Powering Mining's Digital Infrastructure with Generators
20th August 2026

Mines are heavy power consumers. While that primarily stems from heavy industrial machinery and equipment across vast sites, a growing portion relates to the digital side of mining. Supporting... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine site and truck
Fortescue sees power sales from Pilbara green grid when demand emerges, declares lower dividend
20th August 2026 By: Reuters

Fortescue's green grid investment in Australia's northwest is set to provide surplus energy that it can sell to data centres as commercial demand develops, although it has yet to ink any supply... 


Cobalt mine, in Idaho
Critical minerals mining in US poised to benefit from $250bn Bank of America initiative
13th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Critical minerals mining in the US is poised to benefit from a new $250-billion finance initiative announced by Bank of America on August 12. Bank of America announced an 18-month critical... 


Strategic service partnerships will form the backbone of tomorrow’s data centre infrastructure
Strategic service partnerships will form the backbone of tomorrow’s data centre infrastructure
6th August 2026

By: Meryl Eckersley - Secure Power Sales Manager, Global Services, Southern Africa at Schneider Electric Operational continuity has become a defining measure of organisational resilience, and... 


The value of advisory services for critical infrastructure in West Africa
The value of advisory services for critical infrastructure in West Africa
6th August 2026

By; Nnadozie Ogbuehi - Vice President for Services, SSA at Schneider Electric As West Africa’s industrial and digital landscape expands at pace, organisations are facing a new reality:... 


The age of AI data centres – respecting nature while embracing innovation
The age of AI data centres – respecting nature while embracing innovation
5th August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa, Schneider Electric Artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and advanced analytics are accelerating demand for data centre... 


Trafo Power Solutions delivers engineered electrical power solutions for reliable performance across mining, industry and infrastructure
Trafo Power Solutions Builds On Proven Success To Expand Market Share
5th August 2026

As demand grows across Africa for reliable engineered electrical power solutions, Trafo Power Solutions is continuing to build on a strong track record of delivery, innovation and technical support... 


Bitzero Deepens Technical & Supply Chain Capabilities Through Collaboration with Vertiv
Bitzero Deepens Technical & Supply Chain Capabilities Through Collaboration with Vertiv
5th August 2026

Bitzero Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: AIBZ) (CSE: AIBZ.U) (FSE:000) ("Bitzero" or the "Company"), a provider of sustainable high-performance compute ("HPC") and AI data centre infrastructure, today... 


Signage on a building where the investmernt conference is being held
South Africa makes case in Beijing for Chinese investment in energy
3rd August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is attending the South Africa-China Electricity & Energy Investment Conference, in Beijing, this week, where he has advocated for strategic... 


The liquid cooling imperative – how to navigate the high-stakes economics of AI Infrastructure
The liquid cooling imperative – how to navigate the high-stakes economics of AI Infrastructure
3rd August 2026

By: Canninah Dladla - Cluster President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Nearly 60% of operators are expected to adopt liquid cooling within five years as AI-driven economics reshape... 


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pqt: 0.189s - ct: 0.236s - 275pq - 2rq
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