Future-proofing data centres across EMEA
10 March 2026
A recent study commissioned by Lenovo and conducted with Opinium reveals that traditional data centre designs are increasingly inadequate to meet the evolving demands of businesses across EMEA. Key challenges include supporting AI workloads efficiently, achieving sustainability goals, and complying with data sovereignty regulations — all while managing rising energy consumption and costs.
Although 92% of IT decision-makers prioritise partners who reduce energy use and emissions, only 46% believe their current infrastructure supports these sustainability targets. Conventional cooling methods like air cooling are struggling to balance efficiency, cost, and environmental impact amid exponential data growth.
Find out more How data centres are reshaping Africa’s power market
06 March 2026
African Energy Chamber
The global digital economy is driving an unprecedented surge in electricity demand from data centers and IT infrastructure. Worldwide, uninterruptible power supply demand for IT equipment alone is forecast to reach 249 GW by 2030, with total installed capacity, including cooling and ancillary loads, expected to climb to 374 GW.
For Africa, where digitalization, cloud adoption and mobile services are accelerating, this trend presents both a challenge and an opportunity. According to the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) State of African Energy 2026 Outlook, data centers are poised to become a transformative force within the continent’s power markets, reshaping investment priorities ahead of African Energy Week (AEW) 2026.
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As energy grids evolve, real-time modelling is the key to a resilient, bi-directional energy future
03 March 2026
Nishandra Baijnath, Systems Architect, Digital Automation at Schneider Electric
Utilities and municipalities are facing a pivotal challenge as the country’s legacy power grid – engineered for one-way energy delivery from centralised suppliers to end-users – must rapidly evolve to meet a new paradigm.
South Africa’s electrical grid is a classic example of a traditional power system, designed for one-way energy flow. Historically, generation was located close to the fuel source, which saw coal-fired power stations concentrated in Mpumalanga. These stations fed power into high-voltage (HV) yards, which then connected to the national transmission network. This network transported electricity across the country, eventually stepping down the voltage through distribution infrastructure to serve consumers and large power users.
Find out more What’s the cost of a half-degree? Vaisala’s new Origo slashes cooling waste in data centres
27 February 2026
Approximately 80% of the world’s data centers still rely on air cooling, and even a small temperature measurement error of just 0.5°C can lead to significant energy waste—potentially over $800 million annually in a 10 MW data center, totaling about $8 billion over ten years. Accurate, stable environmental measurement is crucial for optimizing cooling efficiency and reducing energy costs.
Vaisala introduces Origo, a next-generation modular measurement platform designed to deliver ±0.1°C temperature and ±1% RH humidity accuracy. Its precise measurements help prevent overcooling, lowering energy waste while ensuring reliable environmental control—vital for data centers, life science cleanrooms, and other critical facilities.
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