Data Centre World London wrapped up this week with more than 17,340 decision-makers, as well as 450 exhibitors and partners, highlighting the intense demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-ready infrastructure. And, the headlines aren’t just about software. Instead, they are about “concrete, steel, and silicon.”
According to the latest report from Mordor Intelligence, the UK data centre market was valued at $15.23bn in 2025 and estimated to grow from $17.24bn in 2026 to reach a massive $31.99bn by 2031, at a CAGR of 13.17% during the forecast period (2026-2031).
This was easy to believe for those visiting the ExCel centre this week, with packed halls and talks – to the point that visitors had to leave and re-enter the conference track sessions in order to allow everyone the opportunity to listen. Annoying? Yes! Did people do it anyway? Also yes, albeit with some terribly British tutting.
Crucially, the UK government has officially designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). As a result, these facilities now sit on the same level of importance as power stations and water networks. For UK manufacturers, this isn’t just news, it is potentially a long-term purchase order.
The NSIP Shift: Fast-Tracking Your Data Centre Pipeline
Historically, big data centre builds were bogged down in local planning for years. However, as of January 2026, the new Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime allows developers to “opt-in” to a streamlined national approval process.
This matters for manufacturers because:
- Speed to Ground: Projects that once took 14 months to clear appeals are now being fast-tracked.
- Scale of Demand: We are seeing “AI Factories” such QTS’s £10bn Blackstone campus in Blyth move into advanced construction phases. (Rendering pictured above. Credit: QTS).
- Infrastructure Upgrades: The National Grid has begun building the Uxbridge Moor substation, a £35bn project that will connect a dozen new centres. (Rendering pictured below. Credit: The National Grid)
Where the Data Centre Revenue is for Manufacturers
The transition to AI-ready infrastructure is changing what data centres need to buy. Specifically, traditional air cooling is no longer enough for high-density AI chips.
The Growth Hub Verdict: Look North
Interestingly, the market is moving away from a congested London. Because of grid constraints in the South East, new hubs are exploding in Greater Manchester, South Wales (the new AI Growth Zone), and Scotland.
Therefore, if you manufacture components for power, cooling, or structural steel, your next big client isn’t a “tech firm,” it is an infrastructure developer. Ultimately, the UK is no longer just hosting data; we are building the AI factories that process it.
