Africa Data Centres is one of the largest network of interconnected, carrier-neutral, and cloud-neutral data centre facilities on the continent. Renowned for its secure and high-performance infrastructure, the company operates multiple sites across Africa, including Midrand, Samrand, Cape Town, Nairobi, and Lagos, with further expansions underway in Ghana, Kigali, and Sameer.
When Africa Data Centres embarked on the expansion of their state-of-the-art data centre in Midrand, they faced the challenge of integrating advanced power infrastructure within an existing legacy building. The project required a highly efficient, scalable, and reliable power solution to support their 10MW IT facility while accommodating future growth.
Modernizing a legacy facility with minimal disruptions
“The upgrade of the existing site to meet data centre requirements was planned to be completed in phases, and Africa Data Centres sought a modular ‘plug and play’ approach to allow for an easy upgrade in the future, including extending the electrical infrastructure without interfering with existing services,” says Armand van Niekerk, Data Centres Segment Lead at Eaton Africa.
The system also needed to be designed for easy transport, avoiding potential damage during transit, and had to operate reliably in all environmental and power conditions. Given South Africa’s well-documented challenges with load shedding and inconsistent power supply, it was essential that the new system provided robust protection against power disruptions while ensuring maximum energy efficiency.
Eaton was selected to design, build, install, and commission the IT power modules. To meet the stringent requirements, Eaton collaborated closely with its extensive xModular partner network to deliver a fully integrated, prefabricated energy module tailored specifically for Africa Data Centres.
The final solution incorporated Eaton’s Power Xpert UX Withdrawable Medium Voltage Switchgear, the Eaton Power Xpert 9395P UPS, and Eaton’s advanced lithium-ion battery technology. The air-insulated Power Xpert UX switchgear provided a highly reliable power distribution system with world-leading vacuum circuit breaker technology and solid cast-resin insulation, making it a safe and efficient choice for data centre operations. The Eaton Power Xpert 9395P UPS ensured complete isolation from power fluctuations, delivering continuous, conditioned sine-wave output. Its Energy Saver Technology improved efficiency by suspending power modules when double conversion was unnecessary while allowing instant transition to full capacity in under 2ms. This not only enhanced reliability but also reduced heat rejection by 18%, improving long-term energy efficiency and sustainability.
Eaton’s lithium-ion battery systems provided a high-performance, space-saving backup solution designed for maximum uptime and reduced total cost of ownership. The system integrated a powerful battery management system that enabled real-time cell protection, balancing, and status monitoring. Given the project’s complexity and space constraints, the modular units were preassembled and tested off-site with Eaton’s xModular partner, Hitech Gregfor, to minimize disruptions at the installation site.
“Safety of personnel is paramount, so internal and external CCTV is installed for clear visibility within the module,” says Lester Maritz, Lead Engineer for Data Centre Design and Application at Eaton EMEA. “Access control with biometric scanning with HMI card recognition was also installed.”
With on-site space limitations and the need for minimal disruption, Eaton conducted an extensive logistical analysis before executing the delivery. Using drone technology to assess the planned transport route, the team identified potential risks such as low bridges and narrow roads, allowing them to make necessary adjustments in advance. Specialized air-suspension trucks transported the modular units, which were then lifted into place with 700-ton cranes, ensuring precise placement without compromising structural integrity.
A scalable, future-proof solution
Eaton’s xModular system provided a highly adaptable and scalable power infrastructure, ensuring that Africa Data Centres had a reliable and future-proof solution capable of supporting their growth. By integrating intelligent power management and Energy Saver Technology, the system significantly improved energy efficiency while maintaining robust protection against power fluctuations. The prefabricated modular design allowed for seamless future expansion without disrupting existing operations, a key advantage for a rapidly growing data centre provider.
The project also delivered measurable cost savings by reducing operational energy consumption and ensuring minimal downtime. The lithium-ion battery system further enhanced efficiency by reducing footprint and maintenance requirements while offering an extended lifecycle compared to traditional lead-acid alternatives.
“Eaton’s xModular solution provided a robust, prefabricated power system that not only met but surpassed expectations in terms of reliability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance,” confirms Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres.
