Delivering Multi‑Utility and Heat Recovery Solutions for Data Centres

Delivering data centre infrastructure requires coordination across electricity, water, fibre and heat. As a multi-utility provider, Power On supports complex developments where reliability, capacity and long-term performance are critical.

Electricity and grid capacity

Power On has built its reputation on providing reliable electricity connections for complex situations. Our expertise and experience cover low voltage (LV), high voltage (HV) and extra high voltage (EHV) supplies. It is EHV connections that are required for data centres.

EHV connections can be significantly harder to provide than HV and LV systems. The installation process involves highly specialised skills and equipment, along with stringent safety protocols, due to the immense power and unique technical challenges involved.

Importantly, we understand how essential it is for data centres to have a totally reliable electricity connection. Electricity is required to run both the servers and the vital air conditioning systems. If a data centre loses power, it loses the ability to perform the task it exists for.

For this reason, Power On delivers two major electricity connections: one as the primary power source, and a second connection of the same size as a full backup. Reliability of supply is therefore designed into the network from the outset.

In addition to delivering EHV connections, Power On can also adopt the electricity infrastructure once it has been installed, supporting long-term ownership and operational responsibility.

With such large import electricity connections, data centres place extremely high loads on the network. This can cause grid capacity challenges. Power On uses its experience in the electricity market to assist developers in understanding these constraints and identifying viable grid connection solutions.

Water and fibre connectivity

As a multi-utility provider, Power On is able to deliver not only electricity connections but also the water connections required for data centre cooling systems.

Our multi-utility offering also includes fibre, enabling Power On to coordinate delivery of electricity, water and fibre infrastructure as part of a single, integrated approach. This reduces interface risk and supports programme certainty for large and complex developments.

Heat recovery and network integration

While electricity, water and fibre are essential to the development and operation of data centres, they do not address the environmental impact of heat generated during operation.

Power On is a forerunner in heat recovery and networked heat solutions. We pioneered networked district heating in the UK high-rise and high-density residential market, including the use of networked air source and ground source heat pumps to provide centralised heat and hot water for towns, campuses and housing developments.

This experience can be applied to data centres. Heat generated by server operation and removed by cooling systems can be captured and redistributed through local heat networks to serve nearby residential and commercial developments. This reduces the release of excess heat to the atmosphere and removes the need to generate new heat elsewhere.

Supporting site selection and feasibility

For organisations whose core focus is operating data centres rather than supplying heat, Power On can support the process through early-stage feasibility and infrastructure assessment.

Our experience across utilities, construction and planning allows us to assist developers in identifying appropriate sites, understanding infrastructure constraints and assessing grid capacity. This includes analysing electricity networks to determine where loads can be split or managed to support viable connection solutions.

Independent network delivery

Power On is an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) and an Independent Connections Provider (ICP). While Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are regionally based, IDNOs such as Power On are independent and can offer alternative commercial arrangements, including asset value payments.

As an IDNO and ICP, Power On can design, build, own, operate and adopt electricity networks across the UK. This provides a single point of contact for electricity delivery alongside wider utilities coordination.

Supporting future infrastructure needs

As data centre development continues to grow and environmental expectations increase, integrated infrastructure planning will become increasingly important. Coordinating electricity, water, fibre and heat recovery within a single delivery framework can support long-term operational resilience and sustainability.

Power On continues to work with developers and asset owners to support infrastructure delivery that enables digital growth while addressing environmental considerations.