Data centre design: Managing complexity from concept to delivery

Data centres form the foundation of our digital lives, and their importance continues to grow alongside increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, streaming, and digital communications. Professional data centre design requires the management of a wide range of parameters, from operational reliability and energy efficiency to an in-depth understanding of Danish regulatory processes and risk assessment. Sweco covers the entire process through proven methodologies and advanced design principles tailored to the specific requirements of each project.

We tailor our consultancy services directly to your existing project delivery model – such as the widely used RIBA stages – bringing together experts across six critical disciplines:

1. Energy and grid infrastructure: Mapping and planning utility corridors, coordination with the DSO and TSO, and identification of sector-coupling opportunities, including waste heat recovery (WHR).
2. Site selection and site due diligence: Identification of the most suitable sites with a focus on infrastructure, energy availability, neighbouring stakeholders, environmental considerations, risk assessment, project economics, and programme scheduling.
3. Political due diligence: Navigating national and local political processes, stakeholder and community engagement, local anchoring, and values-based communication.
4. Local planning and environmental assessment: Management and navigation of the complete local planning and environmental assessment process, including environmental approvals and all other required permits.
5. Architecture and construction: Design, logistics, road access, site adaptation, functionality, fire safety, structural engineering, carbon performance, and overall compliance with the Danish Building Regulations (BR18).
6. Nature and Landscape: Landscape assessment and landscape integration, biodiversity enhancement, surface water management, discharge recipient considerations, and climate resilience.

Strategic integration minimises project risk

Today, a data centre must be conceived as an active resource within the local energy system. We help our clients implement circular solutions that reduce political resistance and improve project viability.

Our solutions focus on three key benefits:

1. Waste heat utilisation: We design systems that connect data centres directly to district heating networks, enabling surplus heat to provide heating for local communities.
2. Biodiversity by design: We transform large security buffer zones into natural habitats that support local biodiversity and enhance ecosystems.
3. Energy and grid stabilisation: We advise on renewable energy integration and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), which can support the Danish TSO, Energinet, and contribute to grid stability.

A clear path through the bottleneck

According to the Danish TSO, Energinet, data centres accounted for 14 GW of transmission grid connection applications at the end of January 2026, while only 7 GW of capacity remains available. As a result, the queue is both long and highly competitive. At Sweco, we believe in a “Quality over queue” principle through our six-phase delivery model. We expect the projects that are most thoroughly developed and deliver the greatest societal value to be best positioned in discussions with regulators and Energinet.

We help our clients navigate this capacity bottleneck by maturing projects from a technical, strategic, and political perspective, ensuring that they become part of the solution rather than merely an additional burden on the grid. Our experience from similar projects across Europe enables us to identify potential pitfalls early and avoid them effectively.

International expertise with strong local presence

Sweco combines local knowledge with extensive pan-European expertise, providing consultancy throughout every phase of the data centre development lifecycle. With more than 100 projects delivered – including projects in the highly active London market and other major data centre hubs – we offer unique insight into the future of digital infrastructure. We understand market dynamics in depth and bring international best practice and full-lifecycle expertise to the Danish market, where we are already involved in several projects.

We understand that international developers and operators require a local partner capable of translating global standards into Danish planning legislation and environmental regulations, while ensuring appropriate adaptation to local conditions. Whether acting as a local extension of a global hyperscaler or as lead consultant for a domestic client, we ensure that every project is built on a foundation of credibility, technical excellence, and local insight.