The UK is looking to expand its data centres to support growing demand for AI and digital services. Modular construction offers one way to build that extra capacity, with sections assembled and tested in a factory before being delivered to site.
For employers and engineers, this creates a mix of work in factories and on site. Skilled people are needed to design, install, test and maintain the systems that keep data centres running.
What is a modular data centre
A modular data centre is built in sections. These can house servers, power equipment or cooling systems, with more sections added as demand grows. Uptime Institute notes that this approach can speed up installation, although it will not suit every project.
Modular does not necessarily mean small. A large data centre can use modular construction too. Micro data centres are smaller facilities, sometimes housed in just a few cabinets, that provide computing close to where it is needed.
Why this matters in the UK
The government’s AI Growth Zones programme aims to encourage investment in data centres by improving access to power and providing planning support. As the UK develops more facilities, businesses need practical ways to build them.
UK suppliers already offer prefabricated data centres, built off site before delivery. Adding sections in stages can help businesses expand as demand grows. They still need to make sure the site has enough power and space for the planned development.
The work needed on site
Factory assembly can make some parts of a project easier to plan. Once the sections arrive, teams still need to prepare the site, connect power and cooling, and check that everything works safely. This testing before a facility enters service is known as commissioning.
If a data centre expands while it is operating, engineers must connect new sections without disrupting existing systems. Clear maintenance plans and reliable monitoring are also essential, particularly if power or cooling equipment fails.
Energy use matters too. The International Energy Agency estimates that global electricity use by data centres will more than double between 2024 and 2030. Modular construction alone does not guarantee lower energy use. Good cooling design and efficient operation remain important.
What this means for employers and candidates
For employers, recruitment needs to match each stage of the project. Design, electrical assembly and factory testing may come first, followed by installation and commissioning on site. Candidates from industrial maintenance or building services may have relevant skills, even without previous data centre experience.
For candidates, experience in electrical engineering, cooling, controls, construction or maintenance can offer a route into the sector. Before applying, check whether a role is based in a factory or on site, and whether it involves travel or being on call.
Modular data centres offer another way to support UK growth. Their success depends on the engineers and technical teams who build them, bring them into service and keep them running.
Planning a data centre project or considering your next career move? Get in touch with RHL Recruitment.
