The IEA’s 2025 base case projects European data-centre electricity demand rising 70% between 2024 and 2030. IEA, Energy and AI (2025).
Sustainability / Design fact sheet
Put computing
heat to work.
SparkDCS targets PUE of 1.20–1.25, with heat recovery designed for district networks through Vital Energi.
Our commitments
Energy efficiency
1.20–1.25 PUE
Size cooling and electrical systems around this design target.
AI hall cooling
30–100+ kW / rack
Provide liquid-cooling readiness for high-density AI halls.
Cooling water
Closed-loop
Recirculate cooling water to minimise make-up demand.
Power supply
On-site + private wire
Use a grid-backed energy centre, with a route to lower-carbon fuels.
Heat export
Up to 30 GWh / year
Develop district heat supply with Vital Energi; illustrative phase target.
Biodiversity
At least 10% net gain
Measure habitat gains against the statutory biodiversity metric in England.
Design targets and specifications; operating performance will depend on IT load and final engineering.
Heat reuse / Designed inA second use
A second use
for computing heat.
01 / Source
Data hall
Closed-loop cooling captures server heat.
02 / Transfer
Heat recovery
Heat exchangers transfer energy; heat pumps raise its temperature where required.
03 / Use
District network
Insulated pipes carry heat to buildings and return cooler water.
Up to 30 GWhrecovered heat / year
Illustrative phase target with Vital Energi, subject to heat demand and network delivery.
Energy equivalent to 2,500 households’ annual gas use, using Ofgem’s 2023 benchmark rounded up to 12 MWh per household; not a forecast of homes supplied.
Specification / Design stage
Design basis
| Parameter | Target / basis | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | PUE 1.20–1.25 | Design target · total facility energy / IT energy |
| AI rack density | 30–100+ kW per rack | Design range · liquid-cooling ready |
| Enterprise halls | Lower rack densities | Sized to customer equipment |
| Water | Closed-loop cooling | Make-up demand depends on final cooling design |
| Power | Energy centre + private wire | Grid-backed; fuel transition subject to supply and equipment |
| Recovered heat | Up to 30 GWh/year | Illustrative phase · dependent on load and heat offtake |
Market & regulation
Context
England’s Environment Act 2021 introduced a 10% biodiversity net gain requirement for non-exempt development, implemented from 2024. Defra guidance.