Data centres: why construction methods are becoming a key driver of profitability
France is entering a new phase of rapid digital infrastructure expansion. Driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and large-scale data storage, data centre construction is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Investments now run into tens of billions of euros, with projects proliferating across the country.
Yet in this strategic race, one critical factor remains underestimated: the optimisation of construction methods. A data centre is not just a technological asset; it is also a financial one, with profitability that depends directly on cost predictability, flexibility and reliability from day one of operation.
Construction: a critical link in a high-risk investment
A 40MW IT data centre – now a standard size – can involve up to 600 people on site during construction. At this level of investment, every month of delay means millions of euros tied up with no revenue generated. Companies face contractual penalties, while investors see returns pushed further out.
At the same time, the construction sector remains exposed to structural risks: the average cost of rework due to defects is estimated at around 11 per cent of a project’s total value. Poor co-ordination and inadequate scheduling continue to place significant pressure on budgets.
In data centres, these risks are amplified by the high technical complexity of installations and a shortage of skilled labour – particularly in industrial welding. Weld quality control, often requiring radiographic testing and strict safety procedures, extends timelines and drives up costs. In projects where scheduling is itself a financial asset, this variability becomes a major concern.
Industrialising construction to secure timelines and budgets
In response, the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift towards more industrialised construction methods.
Prefabrication moves a significant share of assembly off-site into controlled environments. Connections are completed in workshops by specialised teams using standardised processes, making installation faster, more predictable and less exposed to on-site variability.
Digital modelling further strengthens this approach. By simulating all systems upstream, clashes between trades can be identified and resolved before construction begins. Greater investment in the design phase helps avoid costly corrections once work is underway.
This is where companies such as Victaulic come in. Alongside its VDC (virtual design and construction) capabilities and prefabricated module offering, Victaulic provides a modern alternative to welding: a grooved mechanical pipe-joining system. This approach offers several clear advantages in data centre environments:
- Installation speeds up to ten times faster than traditional joining methods
- No fumes generated on site
- Consistent quality, independent of on-site labour
By combining off-site prefabrication with on-site mechanical assembly, projects benefit from faster delivery and significantly improved cost predictability.
Cooling and fire protection at the core of data centre performance
In modern data centres, cooling and water systems are central to performance. Servers, particularly those used for AI, generate extremely high heat densities. Traditional air-cooling is reaching its limits, prompting a shift towards water-based architectures that require kilometres of piping throughout the facility. The reliability of these networks is critical to overall system performance.
Fire protection adds another layer of complexity. Conventional sprinklers, designed for commercial buildings, can pose a risk to equipment if activated. In data centres and IT rooms, newer technologies such as Vortex™, which combines nitrogen with ultra-fine water mist (particles of less than 10 microns), can suppress fires without damaging sensitive electronic systems.
Victaulic covers both cooling networks and fire protection systems, ensuring consistency and standardised performance across the entire installation.
Building data centres in the age of AI
Adaptability is another key strategic challenge. Data centre requirements are evolving rapidly, driven by technological advances and growing computational demands, particularly those linked to AI.
Unlike permanent welded systems, mechanical assemblies can be dismantled and reconfigured. This modularity makes it possible to:
- Reconfigure networks
- Expand capacity
- Integrate new technologies
- Carry out maintenance more quickly
A static data centre loses value over time; an adaptable one preserves it.
Towards a more resilient, sustainable infrastructure
Industrialised construction methods also support environmental goals. Reducing welding lowers emissions associated with hot work and minimises rework. Prefabrication improves waste management and enables the use of higher-quality materials, such as stainless steel, in optimised quantities.
Over the longer term, grooved mechanical piping systems can also facilitate integration with district heating networks, allowing waste heat from servers to be recovered and reused.
Digital performance starts on the construction site
France aims to position itself as a major hub for digital infrastructure in Europe. But competitiveness is not defined solely by electrical capacity or IT power – it also depends on the ability to deliver complex infrastructure on time, with uncompromising quality and strong adaptability.
In this context, construction methodology is becoming a decisive factor in profitability. By securing timelines and budgets while enhancing installation speed, adaptability and long-term reliability, Victaulic is emerging as a strategic partner in this transformation.
Business Reporter Team
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