Thought leadership

Data Centres – A modern digital asset class

20 August 2025

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Data server background illustrating the theme of supporting data centre growth strategies with focused sector knowledge including advice for investors, developers, operators, and end-users throughout the data centre project lifecycle. Key legal services include advising on site acquisition, project finance and investment, contracts such as customer and supply agreements, data governance including ensuring compliance with data protection laws and addressing cyber threats, and navigating energy, environmental, and tax regulations.
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    Supporting your data centre growth strategy with focused sector knowledge

    Data centres are experiencing unprecedented growth with levels of demand fuelled by artificial intelligence, machine learning requirements and 5G.
    Growth has struggled to keep pace due to power constraints, evolving regulation and changing market dynamics but innovation prevails with renewable energy partnerships and investments in advance grid technologies.

    With over 25 years advising on data centres globally, Ashurst's 'one stop shop' creates a unique offering and means we can provide a holistic commercial approach to our clients, whether you are a developer, investor, supplier, operator or customer.

    Our article series outlines various key issues and considerations that impact the full lifecycle of data centres from planning, construction, and real estate agreements through to regulatory, AI, data privacy, cyber and ESG considerations.

    Articles

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    India’s Digital Economy: Unlocking Opportunities for Global Data Centres

    As India’s digital economy continues its rapid ascent, the demand for data centres has surged.

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    Data centres and the Electronic Communications Code

    Find out how to get ahead of the game when it comes to the removal of apparatus.

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    Whirlpool of light

    AI - a win for data centres


    Explore some of the key drivers, trends and risks associated with AI and data centres.

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    An increasingly important asset class for the construction sector

    Explore key considerations associated with the construction of data centres.

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    Lessons from Singapore Data Centres

    Singapore consistently ranks as one of the most desirable data centre locations in the world, due to its connectivity, framework and cloud services. 

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    A few hints on Data Centres in Spain

    In this article, we explain why Spain is currently being considered the ideal place to become a technology hub in Southern Europe for the sector.

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    Whirlpool of light

    Repurposing data centre heat for social good

    On this podcast, Mark Bjornsgaard explains how a night at the pub led to the accidental yet revolutionary inception of Deep Green.

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    Whirlpool of light

    Data Centres: Strengthening Security and Resilience

    We explore some of the key elements of NIS 2 and potential data centre cyber security developments in the UK.

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    Putting ESG and Green Cyber at the (data) centre of your strategy

    The use of artificial intelligence is on the rise, and so too is the world's demand for connectivity and data storage.

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    Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: France’s billion dollar bet on AI

    France has ambitions to become Europe’s AI superpower, leveraging its highly decarbonised electricity grid and government backing to attract billions in data centre investment. In this episode, we explore the market in detail and flag up the issues that investors need to know.

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    Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: India outlook

    In this episode, podcast host Ruth Harris is joined by Ashurst colleague Kalpana Unadkat to explain what is driving India’s extraordinary surge in data demand, how the government is responding, the types of facilities being built, and who the movers and shakers are among investors.

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    Data centres - here today, here tomorrow Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 1

    Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Middle East outlook

    From Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to Dubai and Jeddah, the Middle East has emerged as a global hotspot for data centre development. In this episode, we assess the investment opportunities and highlight trends to watch out for.

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    Data centres – here today, here tomorrow: Financing data centres in Spain’s booming market

    With investor interest rising by the day, our latest podcast explores the data centre market in Spain. This wide-ranging discussion covers everything from finance structuring to lease agreements, and from zoning challenges to power connection issues.

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    Data centres - here today, here tomorrow: Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 2

    Ashurst recently brought together luminaries from across the data centre ecosystem to explore the many opportunities and challenges in the industry. In this episode, we share the key takeaways about investing and financing.

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    Data centres - here today, here tomorrow Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 1

    Data centres - here today, here tomorrow: Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 1

    Players from across the data centre ecosystem gathered recently to debate everything from planning and power to investment and financing. In this episode, we report on the opportunities and challenges that were identified, and some of the solutions that were uncovered.

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    Data centres - here today, here tomorrow Bringing the entire data centre ecosystem together part 1

    Decarbonising the last mile: Power to X technologies (including hydrogen) and data centres | Episode 2

    Renewable energy now accounts for over 40% of the electricity in Australia’s main grid. However, central to decarbonising the last mile is the reduction of emissions in difficult-to-abate sectors.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown, Elena Lambros and Paul Gleeson consider the role of Power to X technologies as a potential solution whilst acknowledging the existing investment gap.

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    The push for green data by 2030

    Data centres are experiencing exponential growth due to the increasing demand for digital services, cloud computing and the internet of things. With data centres projected to comprise 8% of the global energy demand by 2030, it is imperative for the technology industry to adopt more sustainable practices.

    In our latest episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown and Elena Lambros discuss solutions being explored by businesses to meet their emission reduction goals and ensure the long-term sustainability of these solutions. 

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    The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to.
    Readers should take legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions.

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