Accredited Technical Masterclass 15

ATM 15: Future-ready data centres: Designing and optimising for power, water and permitting

As demand for computing grows, small data centre projects are giving way to holistic, site-based plans. Aligning data, power, water, permitting and site constraints, and infrastructure needs, all within compressed delivery timelines is the key to project success.

This 60-minute masterclass will provide a practical, multidisciplinary view of how to scale future-ready data centre development. Drawing on their global project experience, our industry specialists will examine how site selection, energy supply, cooling systems, water availability and regulatory frameworks interact to influence feasibility, cost and delivery risk.

The session will explore the current state of data centre development, and how emerging trends are affecting utilities, governments, developers and infrastructure partners. Our presenters will examine how different parties are responding to constraints, and what this means for planning, approvals and long term infrastructure strategies.

Using real world examples and lessons from adjacent industries, this masterclass will provide a structured view of how to navigate competing pressures - including speed to market, sustainability expectations, and system capacity, while enabling scalable, resilient and commercially viable data centre programs.

This session is designed for professionals in utilities and government who enable data centre delivery. It is also relevant for data centre and power developers and owners seeking faster delivery, greater certainty around utilities and permitting, and sustainable solutions that support approvals.

By attending this masterclass, you will be able to:

Describe how to address the key drivers shaping data centre development, including the interdependencies between power, water, permitting, and site selection.
Explain how constraints such as utility capacity, regulatory requirements, cooling strategies, and infrastructure availability influence project feasibility, timelines, and risk.
Apply a high‑level, integrated infrastructure lens to interpret how data centre developments evolve at scale and identify considerations relevant to their own context.

Register now to secure your spot.

GHD is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognised internationally as a standard development organisation and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

Don't forget to complete the short quiz at the end of the class for the opportunity to earn 0.1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU).

This exclusive masterclass offers real-world insights into the changes affecting data centre development, enabling you to elevate your project approach while navigating stakeholders’ expectations.

Tai Hollingsbee - Australian Market Leader – Property & Buildings, GHD

Tai Hollingsbee is a design engineer and sustainability leader with nearly 25 years of experience applying science-based design to complex, large-scale projects. His expertise spans building physics, sustainability systems, and the integration of emerging technologies into the built environment.

Working with leading architects and global organisations, Tai delivers award-winning solutions that balance performance, feasibility and environmental responsibility. He is currently focused on addressing the ecological impacts of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and data-driven development at scale.

Tai has been involved and directed full engineering and delivery of various AI data centres around the world, ranging from 50 MW to 1.5 GW in Finland, USA, for AI businesses.

Mike Hewson - Technical Director – Energy Solutions, UK, GHD

Mike Hewson is a Chartered Project Professional (ChPP - APM), PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) and Chartered Engineer with 16 years’ experience delivering energy and infrastructure projects in the UK, Europe, West Africa and the United States. He has undertaken design and delivery roles on major multi-disciplinary programmes, including Design Project Management for the LaGuardia Airport Terminal B central mechanical plant and site-based EPC delivery as Project Engineer on the 309 MW Garrison Energy Center CCGT.

Mike is currently leading GHD’s technical team to deliver a number of gas-to-power behind-the-meter energy solutions for data centres in Ireland. These projects include CCGT, OCGT and reciprocating engine solutions with on-site HV substations, electrical distributions and plant control systems integrated into microgrids.

Kate Graf - Technical Director – Environmental, GHD

Kate Graf is a Technical Director at GHD with over 25 years of experience in the environmental industry, primarily focused on air quality. She has built her technical expertise through positions in engineering, regulatory agency management and environmental consulting. Her background enables her to guide clients through every phase of a project, from site selection and regulatory compliance to construction and operational launch.

Kate is currently leading power and data centre development projects across the United States that involve significant permitting requirements, including New Source Review (NSR) and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) air permitting. Kate’s proven track record in project management, strategic regulatory planning, and stakeholder collaboration are instrumental in helping her clients obtain necessary approvals.

Matt Brannock - APAC Service Line Leader – Water Treatment & Desalination, GHD

Matt Brannock is the APAC Service Line Leader for Water Treatment and Desalination at GHD, with over 25 years of experience delivering complex water treatment infrastructure projects in the municipal, power, energy and resource sectors. His work sits at the intersection of water and industrial infrastructure, and regularly covers demineralisation, cooling systems (make-up / blowdown treatment), brine management including high recovery RO & thermal Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology.

Matt brings together industry planners and operators, including data centres developers and water utilities, to explore how site selection, cooling systems, water infrastructure and water constraints affect long term investment decisions.

Sarah Thomas - UK Quality Partner & Project Director, GHD

Sarah Thomas is a project director with extensive experience in embedding quality and continuous improvement across complex water, transport, infrastructure and energy programs. She has led UK-level business enhancements, established project management frameworks, and delivered quality assurance and control measures across multi-disciplinary teams and major projects. Her work includes partnering with internal leadership to implement project controls, conduct reviews, drive risk management, while ensuring compliance with ISO 9001 principles.

Sarah is recognised for her ability to influence stakeholders, coach teams, and integrate quality management into processes, projects and operations, supporting GHD’s drive towards top-quartile business performance.