• • • ADVERTORIAL • • •
DESIGNING DATA CENTRE POWER FOR A MOVING TARGET BY KEIRAN O’GORMAN, TECHNICAL LEAD, MAJOR PROJECTS, ELAND P
ower demand in data centres is moving faster than most design assumptions. Global electricity use is expected to more than double by 2030, driven largely by AI workloads. Systems that look comfortably sized at design stage can feel tighter by the time they go live, particularly as computing density increases and requirements evolve during delivery. That pressure is changing the role of medium voltage cable systems. Once treated as a standard component, they now sit closer to the centre of performance and long-term flexibility. Early decisions around cable selection and installation conditions shape how well a facility can respond as requirements evolve.
The installation environment is becoming a more prominent consideration. Ground conditions, sustained heat and moisture exposure all shape
16 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2026
how cables perform over time. As data centres expand into a wider range of locations globally, these variables play a more consistent role in determining reliability. With higher power densities, there is less margin to absorb those effects. Regulatory expectations are also evolving. Fire
performance and system resilience are under greater scrutiny as data centres take on a critical infrastructure role. The challenge is ensuring design intent translates effectively into installation on site. Where that alignment is achieved early, projects tend to move more smoothly through construction and commissioning.
Future demand adds another dimension. In some cases, capacity assumptions are already being tested before operations begin. Incorporating headroom into MV cable systems creates flexibility for growth through higher current ratings, adaptable routing or provision for additional circuits. For developers and contractors, this is prompting a shift in how cable systems are approached. They are no longer simply a late-stage procurement decision, but part of a broader strategy around performance and resilience. Specialist suppliers such as Eland Cables are increasingly involved earlier in this process, working alongside project teams to align specification with real operating conditions, compliance requirements, and likely future scenarios.
As data centres continue to scale, the projects
that perform best are those that build in flexibility from the outset, giving operators the ability to adapt as demand continues to change.
https://www.elandcables.com
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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