More Efficient Cooling Needed As UK Data Centre Demand Rises

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• More Efficient Cooling Needed As UK Data Centre Demand Rises

15 September 2026 | Updated 14 September 2026

As investment in UK data centres continues to gather pace, Pieter Swart, Head of Specification, Fire & Modular Systems at Grundfos, is urging operators to prioritise energy-efficient cooling infrastructure to help manage rising power demand and improve operational performance. 

The call comes as the rapid expansion of AI places growing demands on energy resources, while concerns have also been raised by The Guardian about the potential impact of further data centre development on UK water supplies.¹ 

Cooling can account for up to 40 per cent of a data centre's total energy consumption, meaning improvements to pumping systems, controls and water management can have a measurable impact on operating costs, energy use and long-term performance.

For operators, consultants and contractors, this makes the efficiency of the systems used to keep facilities cool an increasingly important consideration. 

“Data centres are an essential part of the digital infrastructure we all rely on, but they also have significant energy requirements and, depending on the cooling technology used, can require substantial amounts of water. 

“Balancing Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) often involves trade offs. For instance, improving PUE by adopting water-based cooling systems can increase water consumption and affect WUE. On the other hand, reducing water use to improve WUE can increase energy consumption and impact PUE. 

“That’s why it’s important to consider both metrics together when designing sustainable and resilient data centres,” says Pieter Swart, Grundfos Head of Specification, Fire & Modular Systems. 

“The challenge is to make sure that as data centre capacity grows, the systems supporting these facilities are designed and operated as efficiently as possible. The good news is that much of the technology needed to do that already exists.” 

Improving Cooling Efficiency 

Pumping systems play an important role in moving cooling water around a data centre and can operate continuously throughout the year. Even relatively small improvements in system efficiency can therefore make a difference over the lifetime of a facility. 

Variable-speed pumps and intelligent controls can adjust performance in response to changing cooling demand, helping avoid unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining the flow required by the system. 

Existing data centres can also offer opportunities for optimisation. Once a facility is operational, operators have a clearer picture of its actual cooling requirements, allowing them to assess the performance of existing pumps and controls and identify where system efficiency could be improved.

“Efficiency isn't simply about choosing an efficient pump,” Swart explains. 

“You need to look at how the whole system operates - how much flow is actually required, how demand changes and whether pumps are working harder than they need to. 

“Matching pump performance more closely to cooling demand can reduce unnecessary energy use while still providing the reliability a data centre needs.” 

Water management is another consideration. Depending on the cooling system and the requirements of the individual site, water reuse can help reduce consumption, while waste heat recovery can provide opportunities to put waste heat to use elsewhere. 

Looking Ahead 

Members of the Grundfos team will be attending DCD>Connect London on 16–17 September, where the data centre industry will come together to discuss some of the key issues shaping data centre design and operation, including cooling, energy efficiency and water use. 

“Every facility has different cooling and water requirements, so there isn't one solution that works everywhere. Our role is to work with consultants, contractors and operators to understand what the system needs to deliver and develop the right solution around that. 

“As data centre capacity continues to grow, efficiency will become increasingly important. When equipment is operating around the clock, even relatively modest improvements can make a meaningful difference to energy use and operating costs.” 

1. The Guardian report on data centre impact on UK water supplies – see here.

Picture: A headshot of Pieter Swart, Head of Specification, Fire & Modular Systems at Grundfos.

Article written by Pieter Swart | Published 15 September 2026

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