CAPITALISING ON AFRICA’S DATA CENTRE BOOM

Data centres undoubtedly represent enormous opportunity in Africa as demand for seamless network connectivity continues to rise on the continent and around the world. Advances in engineering, technology and sustainability make it possible to overcome some of the historical barriers to growth and capitalise on this trend, says Craig Blankers, Director: Acting Sector Lead, WSP in Africa. This is Part 2 of a two-part series.

More public and private sector investment in renewable and sustainable energy technologies, driven in many cases by the adoption of green economy policies and growth strategies, is beginning to have a positive impact on the availability of reliable energy. Solutions such as onsite solar power plants and energy wheeling are gaining traction – enabling data centres to be powered by solar facilities built nearby.

Other advances in engineering design and technology, such as distributed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems providing back-up power at rack level, to specialised mechanical systems distributing stable liquid cooling direct to AI processors, are on the rise, too. WSP’s Mission Critical experts are constantly adapting client designs to keep pace with the rate of technology change and speed to market demands.

Committing to responsible water use

With Africa on the frontline of the global water crisis, and as water conservation policies become global mandates to tackle it, WSP’s water and data centre design experts are working with hyperscale and colocation data centre operators to minimise freshwater use. From rainwater collection, onsite treatment plants and recycling local wastewater, to reusing cooling tower runoff and converting waste heat back into useable resources, advances in engineering are meeting the challenge of efficient and responsible water use.

Though on-the-ground skills can be a challenge in such a specialised and rapidly developing industry, these can be off-set through a digital approach to engineering that allows local and international experts to collaborate and share knowledge. WSP uses Building Information Modelling (BIM) and cross-regional collaboration to support knowledge transfer and skills development between our own teams and our local counterparts. Consulting with in-country contractors on local nuances, such as the availability of resources and materials that meet the standards that multinational brands and investors expect, allows us to leverage our international technical expertise in a way that understand the local context.

A data centre that is built around the core principles of sustainability and being locally fit-for-purpose is not only modern in today’s context, but future-proof by design. Data centre owners looking to invest in Africa are largely drawn by the geographical space available and the enormous potential of the continent’s market. Building for sustainability not only makes good operational business sense, but it also aligns with responsible corporate citizenship and meets environmental, social, and governance (ESG) best practices. These are significant value adds to the end-user, which also contributes to the marketability of the data centre. What benefits the end-user also benefits the data centre owner.