By Emily Vernon, LIG CEO
The UK’s energy and data centre construction sectors are undergoing a seismic transformation. Hyperscale builds, AI-driven demand, and grid-constrained infrastructure are converging to create a complex and high-stakes environment. In this forming market, one truth stands out: the calibre of your suppliers can make or break your project.
Nationwide, hyperscale and edge data centres are rising fast, but not without friction. Power availability is tightening, planning delays are mounting, and supply chains are stretched thin. These aren’t just operational headaches. they’re risk multipliers. And when you add in the fact that data centres now consume as much electricity as hundreds of thousands of EVs, the pressure on infrastructure becomes existential.
Recent HSE data shows that 45% of construction (which includes the energy market) fatalities involved self-employed workers. That’s not just a statistic, it’s tragic, it’s a wake-up call. Subcontracted roles, often filled by less experienced or under-supported workers, are disproportionately exposed to danger. In high-voltage, high-complexity environments like energy and data centre builds, that’s a risk no responsible developer can afford.
At LIG, we’ve seen first-hand how partnering with seasoned suppliers transforms outcomes. As a provider of project-managed lifting and logistics, LIG brings more than technical capability, we bring foresight. With over 25 years of experience in the mobile telecoms sector, we understand the intricacies of moving and landing high-value assets in complex environments. Crucially, our entire team is directly employed, not subcontracted, ensuring consistent standards, accountability, and a deep-rooted safety culture.
In a market defined by speed, scale, and strain, experience is your most valuable asset. Whether it’s ensuring compliance, safeguarding workers, or delivering on time despite global supply chain volatility, the right supplier partnership is the difference between resilience and regret when it comes to data centre build projects.
Sources:
Constructionnews.co.uk | Constructionmanagement.co.uk | iea.org | rlb.com | gleeds.com | cbre.com