18 September 2025

To support its cutting-edge research initiatives, the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) needed a modern, efficient data centre. 2bm delivered a solution tailored to their needs: an energy-efficient facility that is straightforward to manage and requires minimal skilled intervention once operational.

MRCG at LSHTM is one of two research units established by the UK’s Medical Research Council in sub-Saharan Africa. It serves as a hub of scientific expertise, dedicated to advancing global health and saving lives.

The unit’s mission underscores the importance of fostering a research environment that enables innovative and world-leading studies. These efforts are aimed at alleviating the burden of illness and mortality in low- and middle-income nations.

Client requirement and key objectives

The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) is a world-leading research hub established by the UK’s Medical Research Council. It focuses on reducing illness and mortality in low- and middle-income countries through innovative research. To continue driving these global health improvements, MRCG required a modern, energy-efficient data centre to support increasing compute power and storage demands while ensuring system reliability and resilience in a challenging environment. 

The challenge

Delivering a fully operational Containerised Modular Data Centre to The Gambia presented several challenges for Mavin Powercube:

• Navigating a tropical climate characterised by high temperatures and humidity.
• Ensuring power continuity in an environment with potential infrastructure limitations.
• Coordinating complex logistics for transporting a large, non-standard-sized data centre container from the UK to its destination.
• Managing transportation over incomplete highways, load restrictions, and challenging local traffic conditions.

The solution

Mavin Powercube, working closely with 2BM, designed and built an advanced Containerised Modular Data Centre (CMDC) to meet MRCG’s needs. Shipped to The Gambia and installed on-site, the solution included:

• Innovative N+1 cooling system fully integrated into a single structure for efficient operation.
• Dedicated project management from initial design to final commissioning, ensuring a smooth process.
• Strong collaboration with the local team in The Gambia to address challenges and ensure seamless integration.
• Thorough design process with detailed presentations and sign-offs at every stage before construction.
• Optimised space utilization: 80kW of power and cooling capacity in a compact 40ft container, complete with fire detection, suppression, and network infrastructure.
• Energy efficiency: Free cooling and a low Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) design tailored to operate in a harsh equatorial climate.
• Plug-and-play functionality: Pre-configured for minimal on-site assembly and rapid startup, with commissioning completed in just ten days

Powercube advantage

Powercube is an award-winning, British designed and built, Containerised Modular Data Centre and Critical Infrastructure solution. We deliver a 100% end-to-end service with an efficient, re-deployable and resilient product.

• Lower Cost @ circa 30-40% less per than traditional data centre build costs
• Built off-site, delivered worldwide, ready to go, mitigating lengthy site disruption
• Fast build and deploy, typically 10-18 weeks inc. site prep
• Easy relocation and/or repurpose
• Easily scalable even without increasing footprint
• More energy efficient and with eco-friendly options
• Modular harmonisation, with wide ranging innovative custom build option

Key issue management

To overcome logistical and environmental challenges, the team implemented strategic solutions, including:

• Scheduling delivery and installation to coincide with favourable weather conditions.
• Engaging local expertise for navigating incomplete roads and addressing transportation obstacles.
• Rigorous pre-planning to minimise on-site delays, allowing the data centre to be fully operational within ten days of arrival.

CMDC design and build: innovations included

Project solution and completion

Mavin Powercube, in collaboration with 2BM, delivered a fully custom Containerised Modyular Data Centre to MRCG within the agreed twelve-week timeline. Designed and built at our cutting-edge UK facility, the CMDC minimised on-site work and was operational just ten days after arrival.

Despite logistical challenges, including transporting a 40ft container over incomplete highways, the team ensured seamless delivery, setup, and commissioning. The facility integrates 80kW of power and cooling, advanced fire detection and suppression, and robust network infrastructure.

Innovative N+1 cooling and free cooling systems provide reliable, energy-efficient operation in The Gambia’s tropical climate, supporting MRCG’s critical health research. The project strengthens their mission to save lives and improve health outcomes globally.

“The successful delivery of this project is a testament to the incredible teamwork and commitment of our team at Mavin Powercube, working alongside 2BM and the local partners in The Gambia. Overcoming the logistical and environmental challenges of a remote location required meticulous planning, adaptability, and strong collaboration. Together, we delivered a cuttingedge, energy-efficient data centre that will support vital health research in the region for years to come," said Russ Bartley, Powercube Director.