XELA Energy: Do Data Centres Need Sustainable Power?

AI-driven data centre growth is requiring more power, but grid constraints and ESG pressures are preventing this expansion. 

The industry is finding that focussing on sustainability and diversity initiatives can result in powerful gains.

One such company is XELA Energy.

Recently rebranded from Clean Energy Capital, the company is eager to target data centres with enterprise power solutions and support renewable energy growth across the UK.

Company Director of Data Centres, Amy Young, shares her expertise on how the data centre industry can continue to drive change and be sustainable, while also continuing to successfully support its customers and partners. 

Please introduce yourself and your role/responsibilities at XELA Energy.

I’m Amy Young, Director of Data Centres at XELA Energy. I lead our strategy across the data centre sector, working closely with hyperscalers, colocation providers and infrastructure clients to deliver Private wire energy solutions that are scalable, resilient and sustainable.

My role spans commercial development, partnerships and aligning our energy propositions to meet the evolving demands of digital infrastructure.

After a recent rebrand from Clean Energy Capital to XELA Energy, the business is at an exciting moment. How is the company in line with broader industry shifts, particularly when it comes to data centre sustainability?

The rebrand to XELA Energy reflects our evolution into a delivery-focused business that sits at the intersection of energy, infrastructure and land. The data centre industry is under increasing pressure to decarbonise while maintaining scale and uptime – and our integrated approach directly supports that. 

We provide the speed, strategy and expertise required to meet sustainability goals without compromising performance.

What are some of the most impactful changes you’ve witnessed in the data centre industry?

The pace of growth – driven largely by AI and high-density compute – has been remarkable. What stands out is the shift in energy strategy: where sustainability once sat on the sidelines, it’s now front and centre. 

There’s also a noticeable increase in transparency around ESG, with operators expected to prove real progress on emissions, not just make commitments.

What are the key, mission-critical challenges that data centre operators need to be most mindful of?

Power availability, land with grid-ready infrastructure and credible decarbonisation pathways. Grid constraints are delaying growth, particularly in high-demand regions. 

At the same time, ESG expectations are rising – operators are under pressure to act quickly on net zero while ensuring long-term resilience and cost control.

How is XELA Energy positioned to support its customers with these?

We deliver integrated, behind-the-meter energy solutions that blend seamlessly with data centre operations. We fund, design, build, and operate renewable energy assets directly – bringing true additionality and accelerating the transition to 100% green power.

Our approach is turnkey. From land to long-term operation, we manage every stage to remove complexity and deliver at pace.

We hold strategic land positions in even the most grid-constrained locations, unlocking capacity where it's needed most. This allows us to provide dedicated, clean power to energy-intensive users – fast, resilient and fully aligned with their sustainability goals.

We would be remiss not to highlight your recognition in the Data Centre Magazine Top 100 Women list. What strategies have proven most effective at CEC for building diverse technical teams?

Diversity is more than a target – it’s about creating an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully, grow their careers and challenge the status quo. I believe that each and every team, from land and planning through to technical, are truly invested in the work we do - paving a clear path to clean energy. 

We are proud of the culture we have nurtured; the entire team is encouraged to adopt a ‘challenger’ attitude, meaning that every forum is an open one, and employees of every level can question our approach. 

This collaborative style has enabled us to retain diverse, talented people, because everyone’s voice is heard – ultimately leading to successful projects and happy clients.

As sustainability becomes more crucial, how can the data centre industry best evolve to attract new talent and skillsets?

We need to reframe the sector as a place of innovation and impact. Data centres sit at the heart of the energy transition and that’s a compelling story for talent coming from tech, energy, or environmental fields. 

Cross-sector collaboration, clearer pathways, and stronger industry storytelling will all be key to attracting the next generations that will bring fresh ideas and catapult the change.