Why data centers could hit obsolescence sooner than you think

With more and larger data center construction requirements emerging, it’s a fine balance between the need for speed to market and the complexities that come with critical infrastructure projects. 

Sinfreu says that staggering investment and taking a phased approach to development is one way to remain agile and avoid obsolescence. “It allows for greater flexibility as market conditions may change over the duration of the project,” he says.

This could mean adapting the design and layout of floors or halls or tapping into new sources of renewable energy as they become available.

And while retrofitting existing data centers to extend their life span is far from easy (Sinfreu likens it to carrying out delicate keyhole surgery), with careful planning, it’s not entirely impossible.

“Detailed CAPEX and asset lifecycle planning can help manage judicious use of budget for upgrades or allow for replacement of older equipment,” says Sutton. “This can allow operators to take advantage of newer, more efficient technologies, reducing total cost of ownership, rather than wasting money on maintaining and repairing old kit.”

Microsoft aims to run water-positive, zero-waste data centers by 2030, while Amazon Web Services are the world’s largest renewable energy buyer thanks to their data center power-transition strategy.