UK renewable energy storage specialist appoints former Google executive to lead UK data centre operations
Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has appointed former Google executive Michael Hunter to lead its UK data centre portfolio.
As Apatura’s Head of Commercial, Hunter will be responsible for establishing a portfolio of new data centre sites powered by renewable energy in the UK for use by hyperscalers and data centre operators. Michael will also work with the leadership team to establish Apatura as a leading provider of energy infrastructure, grid connectivity, and renewable power to support new data centres nationwide, with an initial focus on Scotland.
Commenting on his new role, Hunter said, “The UK has always been a leading data centre market. Today, there is a growing demand here for extra data centre capacity, driven by new compute-intensive applications such as Machine Learning and AI, data analytics, and quantum technology: along with the need for secure UK-based storage for individuals and corporate users on data sovereignty grounds.
“A lack of data centre facilities and the clean energy supplies to power them are currently impeding efforts to properly meet this demand. Access to large scale renewable energy in particular is the biggest challenge for the UK in the short and medium term.”
Hunter explained, “Data centres are today a mainstream asset class that is recognised as essential infrastructure by individuals and organisations, including the UK Government, who in September of this year designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) alongside energy and water systems.”
He continued, “I’ve seen first-hand the opportunities that investing in digital infrastructure creates for stakeholders at an organisational, regional and national level. Successful developments need trusted, credible partners who can deliver the infrastructure that supports them.
“Apatura is a focused, agile organisation with an expanding portfolio of energy storage projects combined with in-depth planning expertise. It’s ideally placed to deliver access to the infrastructure and grid connections that are needed to power the UK’s new generation of data centres with renewable energy.”
Hunter joins Apatura after more than four years at Google as part of the global technology giant’s Energy Location and Strategy team, where he worked on a range of data centre-related projects that included site selection for new facilities: purpose-built “build-to-suit” projects: and colocation acquisitions across EMEA. Hunter also spent three years in Singapore working across key Asia Pacific markets.
Commenting on Hunter’s appointment, Apatura CEO Giles Hanglin said, “This is another game changing moment for the business. Michael brings valuable data centre and colocation experience and insight to Apatura. His appointment aligns with the opportunity presented by the UK’s pressing need for new data centre capacity and also the renewable energy to power them.
“The location of the UK’s next generation of data centres will be dictated by the availability of large-scale renewable power nearby. Issues like grid congestion in the south-east and London region means developers and operators must be more open and flexible on where to locate new facilities. Apatura’s access to Scotland’s utility grid connections and renewable energy generation in particular will support these new data centres and encourage direct and indirect investment into the country as well.”
Prior to joining Google, Hunter helped establish the Asia Pacific Data Centre Solutions team at Singapore-based CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. He is an RICS-accredited chartered surveyor with a focus on the commercial real estate market, specifically data centres.
