ACTOM, a leader in energy infrastructure, will launch its Data Centre Power Solutions at Enlit Africa 2025. As the data centre industry expands rapidly across the African continent, ACTOM is well-positioned to serve as a strategic partner to address the sector’s growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
ACTOM offers efficient, scalable, and locally tailored power solutions for data centres.
Sy Gourrah, Senior General Manager at ACTOM says, “ACTOM is raising awareness of the role its data centre solutions play in supporting Africa’s digital transformation. With data centres forming a key part of the continent’s future, there is an increasing need for energy infrastructure that is efficient, scalable, and sustainable.”
The data centre industry in Africa is projected to exceed US$3 billion by 2025, fuelled by the increasing demand for cloud computing, e-commerce, and digital services. As mobile adoption, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) continue to drive digital growth, the need for robust data storage, processing, and distribution grows too. However, this surge in demand raises the challenge of ensuring a stable and sustainable power supply, as data centres are energy-intensive and require reliable energy sources.
“Digital transformation, urbanisation, and the expansion of cloud services from global providers are key drivers of this demand," says Gourrah. “With data centres becoming the backbone of industries like finance, entertainment, and more, their energy needs need to be met consistently with reliable power infrastructure.”
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has added further pressure on data centres, which now face significantly higher energy demands. Traditional racks consumed 5 to 10 kW per unit, but AI-focused racks now demand between 30 and 40 kW, with some reaching 60 to 100 kW. This increase in rack power density elevates energy requirements and it complicates cooling infrastructure, as high-density AI racks generate substantially more heat.
“The energy infrastructure in many African countries is often not equipped to support these increased demands,” Gourrah highlights. “To ensure data centres operate reliably, dedicated substations and power supplies need to be constructed. In some cases, operators are required to build independent power sources to guarantee continuous service.”
This has seen a demand for local manufacturers that design and build substations, tailored to data centre power requirements, which ACTOM has been doing for years. ACTOM’s experience in this field enables potentially shorter lead times and, notably, reduces reliance on imported components – an increasingly important consideration for developers looking to de-risk projects and improve timelines.
ACTOM is a key player in this space, offering turnkey EPC substation services that align with Africa’s infrastructure and energy needs. The company’s capabilities extend beyond traditional substation design, integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar, battery storage, and hybrid systems. It also offers power purchase agreements (PPAs) and bespoke energy storage solutions – designed specifically for the operational demands of data centres.
Gourrah adds, “What is essential for data centres, but often only an afterthought, is after-sales support, condition monitoring, and maintenance services. ACTOM can provide these services and has developed in-house condition monitoring systems especially for its power transformers.”
As Africa's digital transformation accelerates, reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure is crucial. ACTOM’s Data Centre Power Solutions meet this need by offering efficient, scalable, and locally tailored power solutions. Through the integration of renewable energy and ongoing support, ACTOM helps ensure a stable and sustainable power supply for the continent’s growing data centre sector.
For more information visit: www.actom.co.za