Reflecting on Data Centre World London 2025: A Thriving Industry at a Pivotal Moment
Data Centre World London 2025 was a whirlwind of innovation, networking, and thought leadership. As one of the busiest events on the data centre calendar, it was clear that the industry is at a crucial turning point. With AI, scalability, and sustainability driving transformation, the discussions were more relevant than ever.
At Onnec, we were proud to participate in the conversation, particularly during our panel discussion on Day 1. Onnec’s Matt Salter and Niklas Lindqvist were joined by Stefan Nilsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Conapto for a session focused on the evolving demands of AI-ready data centres, emphasising flexibility, sustainability, and the importance of a people-first approach. Here are our key takeaways:
Flexibility & Scalability: Preparing for the AI-Driven Future
The rapid advancement of AI is reshaping data centre infrastructure. Traditional facilities designed for uniform workloads must now accommodate a mix of low-density and high-density environments, including liquid-cooled setups. Legacy data centres will struggle to adapt without a forward-thinking approach to flexibility and scalability.
One key takeaway from our panel was the importance of the “outside in” approach—ensuring scalable power supply externally to support evolving whitespace requirements inside. As AI adoption accelerates, modularity and scalability are non-negotiable.
Holistic Design: Integrating Power, Cooling, and Cabling
AI-ready data centres require a holistic design strategy, integrating power, cooling, and IT cabling into a seamless, high-performance ecosystem. Our discussion reinforced that early planning is vital. A well-defined power and IT cabling strategy from the outset ensures long-term performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Sustainability as a Core Focus, Not an Afterthought
With sustainability no longer a mere talking point but an operational imperative, our panel emphasised that AI-ready data centres must go beyond green energy certificates. Facilities must actively contribute to a sustainable future by integrating renewable energy sources, reusing waste heat, and balancing the grid. The industry must move towards genuinely sustainable solutions that prioritise long-term impact over short-term compliance.
Customer-Centric Collaboration for Smarter Deployments
AI-driven deployments require close collaboration with customers from the outset. Early engagement helps tailor solutions to specific needs, minimising waste and optimising resources. Our panel stressed the importance of structured implementation plans covering cabling, power, and cooling to ensure seamless execution and rapid handovers.
The People Factor: Skills & Safety in a Growing Industry
With the data centre industry experiencing a skills shortage, investment in training and talent development is critical. The increasing complexity of AI-ready facilities requires a workforce equipped with specialised expertise. At Onnec, we champion both talent initiatives and rigorous safety protocols. While speed-to-market is essential, maintaining safe working environments through meticulous planning, risk management, and strong site coordination remains paramount.
Looking Ahead: The Future is Modular, Scalable, and Sustainable
Data Centre World London 2025 reaffirmed that we are in an exciting era of transformation. AI is setting new infrastructure demands, but with strategic planning, modular solutions, and a sustainability-first mindset, the industry is well-positioned to rise to the challenge.
At Onnec, we remain committed to driving innovation in structured cabling and data centre solutions. We look forward to continuing the conversation and shaping the future of the industry alongside our partners and clients.
