VIRTUS Data Centres
Infrastructure
| Sector | Infrastructure |
| Sub-sector | Digital infrastructure |
| Location | United Kingdom |
Newly created data must be securely transmitted, processed and stored, which will drive further demand for high-capacity digital infrastructure. In the European Union, more than 40 per cent of enterprises have now migrated their on-premises data storage and compute workloads to shared, off-premises data centre facilities, often buying cloud services from the leading global hyperscalers (public cloud) or smaller service providers (private and hybrid cloud). Macquarie believed it could use its digital infrastructure and renewable energy expertise to help a leading UK data centre operator expand across Europe on the rapid growth expected amongst hyperscale and enterprise clients.
During the investment process, Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) worked closely with ST Telemedia to develop a strategic roadmap focused on accelerating VIRTUS’ growth into continental Europe. MAM’s presence in Europe, its portfolio of utility businesses, and its experience in investing in green energy complemented ST Telemedia’s strong track record in operating and developing new data centres. This collaboration has resulted in c.380 MW of new greenfield data centre projects being secured by VIRTUS since early 2023 across the UK and Europe.
VIRTUS’ portfolio now comprises of 11 operational facilities with a combined capacity of 185 MW.
Outcome
VIRTUS will invest approximately £1 billion in its Saunderton Campus in Buckinghamshire to deliver 75 MW of additional IT capacity to support the further development of UK’s digital economy. The site will comprise of four data centres, with the first due to be delivered in 2026. This AI-ready, mega-scale data centre project will feature high-capacity infrastructure, use the latest cooling technology, and operate on renewable energy.
Having already established itself in the UK market, VIRTUS is seeking to expand into neighbouring European markets - including by developing the ~204 MW Wustermark Data Centre cluster across one mega campus in Brandenburg, west of Berlin. Upon completion, this will be among Europe's largest data centre campus.
Strategically located next to a large substation with significant onshore windfarm capacity, the Wustermark campus has the ability to absorb excess local renewable energy that would otherwise be lost. Additionally, waste heat from the campuses can be used for district heating by the local municipality. VIRTUS’ efforts to reduce the carbon footprint are expected to make the campus attractive to clients seeking high-capacity, sustainable digital infrastructure in one of Europe’s fastest-growing data centre markets.
operational portfolio3
operational facilities
of new data centre projects secured
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