At DCR Live 2026, we caught up with Ollie Sander from OCS to discuss the power and planning challenges facing the UK data centre sector – and how operators can prepare for the next wave of growth.
During the conversation, Ollie explored how the rise of AI is forcing operators to think more carefully about the workloads they support and the power density those applications require. With grid capacity still constrained, he argued that the industry may need to think outside the box, from power purchase agreements and on-site generation to renewables and other behind-the-meter solutions.
Ollie also discussed the role of retrofits in meeting future demand, highlighting how existing buildings and industrial sites can offer operators a faster and potentially lower-risk route to capacity where power is already available. However, he stressed that operators need to match the right facility with the right use case.
Looking further ahead, the conversation touched on heat reuse, the industry’s skills shortage and the importance of preparing for the sector’s responsibilities as critical national infrastructure. For Ollie, those able to secure land and power, build the right teams and plan now for future requirements will be best placed to lead the market.
You can watch our full interview with Ollie on our YouTube channel, or by clicking on the video above.
