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Data Center News Roundup: Trump Era Predictions, Public Perceptions Survey
In this week's top data center news, industry experts on the impacts of a Trump presidency, and research on Europeans’ unexpected attitudes toward data centers.
4 Min Read
Source: Alamy
With data center news moving faster than ever, we want to make it easy for industry professionals to cut through the noise and find the most important stories of the week.
The Data Center Knowledge News Roundup brings you the latest news and developments across the data center industry – from investments and mergers to security threats and industry trends.
To keep up to date with all things data centers, subscribe to the Data Center Knowledge newsletter to get content straight to your inbox.
The Future of Data Centers in the Trump Presidency
With the dust of the U.S. election beginning to settle, data center players are now speculating on the impact a second Trump presidency could have on the data center space.
Will the market grow or contract? Where are next hotspots for data center development and construction? What regulatory changes might we expect?
“Federally,” predicts Tony Harvey, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, “I anticipate limited action, especially given the new administration’s emphasis on traditional energy sources over renewables.”
John Bambenek, President of Bambenek Consulting, predicts: “If global tariffs are on the table, the reliance of foreign data centers will become more problematic which will create something of a ‘mini boom’ for US data center operators.”
Read the full breakdown of predictions – ranging from open-ended optimism to skeptical critique – for the next four years of data center security, construction, power consumption, and regulation and policy.
Europeans Like Data Centers, Despite Not Knowing What They Are
New research from data center developer CyrusOne revealed a positive trend in public perceptions of data centers in Europe. Surveying over 13,000 people across seven countries, the study found that 93% of respondents hold either positive (51%) or neutral (42%) feelings toward data centers – more favorable than researchers expected.
However, despite this generally favorable perception, nearly half of respondents (48%) could not accurately describe the purpose of a data center or “draw a connection between data centers and the digital services that they use on a daily basis.”
“Data centers are the backbone of how we live and work today, but the degree to which they support our society is still largely misunderstood by the general public,” said Matt Pullen, EVP, Managing Director Europe at CyrusOne. “Misconceptions ultimately lead to mistrust.”
In fact, according to the study, positive responses trended higher among respondents aware of data centers in or near their own communities.
New Data Center Developments
In Spain, Schneider Electric increased the production capacity of its Barcelona prefab data center factory from 7,000 sq.m to 12,000 sq.m. With this expansion, the Sant Boi Facility is now the largest manufacturing site in Europe for Schneider Electric’s modular data centers.
According to Omdia, the market for prefabricated modular and micro data centers will surpass $11 billion by 2027.
IMAGE: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
In South Africa, Digital Realty subsidiary Teraco began construction on a 120MW utility-scale solar PV power plant to support the company’s data centers in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian government approved a new set of Data Center Planning Guidelines (GPP) to streamline data center application and planning approval processes. Among other features, the GPP includes zoning requirements that limit data center construction to commercial and industrial areas with mandatory buffer zones near residential districts.
Stateside, Duos Edge AI announced the early deployment of three edge data center facilities to support schools and public institutions with high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity in remote areas of Texas.
Finally, bees have temporarily stalled Facebook parent company Meta’s plans for a nuclear-powered data center. While surveying land earmarked for the project, environmental regulators found a rare, likely federally protected, bee population. For now, details on the bee species and power plant location are yet to be publicly released.
For more development news, check out DCK’s monthly roundup of data center deals, builds, and investments.
Other Great Reads in DCK This Week
How Data Center Reference Design Can Streamline Your Infrastructure Planning. Discover how a data center reference design could optimize your setup, along with the key benefits and limitations of this approach.
How Veterans Are Helping Solve the Data Center Talent Shortage. As the data center talent shortage grows, veterans are stepping in, bringing essential skills that meet the industry’s demands for resilience and discipline.
Why E-Tube Cables Offer a Promising Alternative to Copper and Optical Interconnects. E-Tube technology is redefining interconnect options for AI data centers, addressing critical performance and efficiency needs as demand surges.
Key Lessons for Going Hybrid with Your Digital Infrastructure. Is a hybrid infrastructure approach right for you? Explore the benefits and best practices for IT pros considering this approach.
Geothermal Power in Data Centers: Benefits, Drawbacks, and the Road Ahead. Geothermal energy can reduce data center power bills and improve sustainability, but high installation costs and location limitations remain key challenges.
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