As 2025 approaches, the data centre industry is set to undergo profound changes influenced by advancements in AI and a heightened focus on sustainability, as highlighted by Leaseweb’s Terry Storrar.
As the dawn of 2025 approaches, significant transformations are expected in the data centre sector, driven by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and a burgeoning emphasis on sustainability. Terry Storrar, the Managing Director UK at Leaseweb, has outlined key trends that are likely to shape this domain in the coming year.
The year 2024 has been marked by geopolitical turbulence, with ongoing conflicts across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East contributing to a climate of uncertainty. Concurrently, AI has continued its rapid expansion, fundamentally disrupting long-standing business models and putting various white collar jobs at risk. With the prospects of 2025 now on the horizon, Storrar suggests that businesses in the data centre industry must adapt to an evolving marketplace.
A significant trend to watch is the growing demand for higher power and increased density. AI has intensified this need, particularly regarding graphics processing units (GPUs). According to Storrar, there is an evolving necessity for data centres to provide controlled power in denser environments while also prioritising cooling solutions and sustainability. “We are unlikely to see much that is entirely new at the back end; instead, supplying higher compute in the same footprint is the main objective,” he explained.
The role of AI in enhancing data centre efficiencies cannot be overstated. Storrar anticipates the emergence of new AI tools designed to optimise operations while minimising energy consumption. AI-driven analytics will offer deeper insights into energy usage patterns, which will contribute to more effective power management strategies. By harnessing data via AI-enabled reporting, operators aim to tackle the power demands presented by modern data centres more effectively, ultimately reducing operational costs and lowering their carbon footprints.
Sustainability remains a pressing concern amidst the insatiable demand for powerful servers. Investment in new cooling technologies, such as water-cooling servers and fully water-cooled racks, is pivotal in managing limited energy resources. Renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, will play a critical role in this transition. Storrar noted the importance of demonstrating adherence to sustainability principles, stating, “from a customer perspective, environmental, sustainability and compliance credentials are a critical factor when choosing a data centre partner.”
The concept of cloud models is also evolving. A notable trend has been cloud repatriation, whereby companies are moving services back from the cloud to traditional IT platforms. This shift reflects organisations’ desire for more adaptable hybrid cloud models tailored to specific business needs. Concerns regarding escalating public cloud costs and migration challenges have led to a growing preference for multi-cloud environments, enabling businesses to select the optimal location for each workload.
Data sovereignty continues to gain prominence as an important factor in data governance. Storrar notes that cloud providers must remain vigilant regarding how geopolitical issues impact data storage practices, particularly as larger companies take advantage of the ability to keep data within national borders. Smaller operators may face added complexities in this regard, underscoring the need for agility in data management.
Looking ahead to 2025, the data centre industry is expected to witness a resurgence in innovation. The tumultuous events of the past year, including pivotal elections and ongoing conflict, have dampened momentum for advancements in sectors like AI and biometrics. However, increased stability could fuel renewed confidence and innovation in the industry. Storrar conveyed that the data centre sector must strive to balance sustainability, innovation, and investment in sophisticated tools to meet the burgeoning power demands anticipated in the near future.
Overall, the data centre sector is entering a transformative period, driven by cutting-edge technologies and rising expectations for sustainability, as it prepares to address the challenges that 2025 is likely to present.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.crnasia.com/news/2024/data-center/data-center-trends-2025-sustainable-practices-to-support-inc – Corroborates the trend of increasing focus on sustainability and the need for innovative power and cooling infrastructure to support AI workloads in data centers.
- https://vmblog.com/archive/2024/12/18/365-data-centers-2025-predictions-reshaping-the-data-center-in-2025-traditional-and-ai-colocation-and-hybrid-cloud-strategies.aspx – Supports the evolution of data center capacity planning and power and cooling configurations to meet AI workload demands and the shift towards hybrid cloud strategies.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120295201/en/Data-Center-Trends-2025-Vertiv-Predicts-Industry-Efforts-to-Support-Enable-Leverage-and-Regulate-AI – Details the innovation in power and cooling infrastructure, the shift from CPU to GPU, and the importance of sustainability and cybersecurity in data centers for 2025.
- https://datacentremagazine.com/critical-environments/park-place-ai-to-drive-cloud-and-data-centre-growth-in-2025 – Highlights the growing focus on AI adoption, hybrid cloud solutions, and the need for seamless data migration and robust security measures across hybrid environments.
- https://www.crnasia.com/news/2024/data-center/data-center-trends-2025-sustainable-practices-to-support-inc – Emphasizes the role of AI in optimizing data center operations, minimizing energy consumption, and enhancing power management strategies.
- https://vmblog.com/archive/2024/12/18/365-data-centers-2025-predictions-reshaping-the-data-center-in-2025-traditional-and-ai-colocation-and-hybrid-cloud-strategies.aspx – Supports the investment in new cooling technologies and the importance of renewable energy sources in managing energy resources sustainably.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120295201/en/Data-Center-Trends-2025-Vertiv-Predicts-Industry-Efforts-to-Support-Enable-Leverage-and-Regulate-AI – Corroborates the trend of cloud repatriation and the preference for multi-cloud environments to manage escalating public cloud costs and migration challenges.
- https://datacentremagazine.com/critical-environments/park-place-ai-to-drive-cloud-and-data-centre-growth-in-2025 – Highlights the importance of data sovereignty and the impact of geopolitical issues on data storage practices in the data center industry.
- https://www.crnasia.com/news/2024/data-center/data-center-trends-2025-sustainable-practices-to-support-inc – Supports the anticipated resurgence in innovation in the data center sector, driven by increased stability and the need to balance sustainability and investment in sophisticated tools.
- https://vmblog.com/archive/2024/12/18/365-data-centers-2025-predictions-reshaping-the-data-center-in-2025-traditional-and-ai-colocation-and-hybrid-cloud-strategies.aspx – Corroborates the evolving clarity related to AI-driven demands and the continuing focus on traditional and AI capacity planning and cost efficiency in data centers.
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241120295201/en/Data-Center-Trends-2025-Vertiv-Predicts-Industry-Efforts-to-Support-Enable-Leverage-and-Regulate-AI – Details the industry’s efforts to support high-density computing, regulatory scrutiny around AI, and increasing focus on sustainability and cybersecurity in 2025.