PACE Partners with Mace to Build 168MW Clean Energy-Powered Data Center Portfolio in UK

PACE Partners with Mace to Build 168MW Clean Energy-Powered Data Center Portfolio in UK

January 23, 2026

In a significant move to address the dual challenges of power availability and sustainability in the digital infrastructure sector, UK-based Pathfinder Clean Energy Limited (PACE) has selected construction firm Mace Construct to develop a portfolio of data centers across the United Kingdom with a total capacity of 168 megawatts.

The partnership, formalized through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding, will see Mace provide construction expertise and early-stage engagement for three initial data center projects. Mace's role will encompass feasibility studies, design optimization, and build strategy development for facilities planned in the Southeast, West Midlands, and West of England regions. Construction on these sites is anticipated to commence in 2026.

The projects are specifically targeted for latency-sensitive applications such as high-performance computing and artificial intelligence. A defining feature of the portfolio is its direct integration with adjacent renewable energy and storage assets owned by PACE, which will power the data centers via private wire connections. This model is designed to create a scalable, energy-backed digital infrastructure foundation. Power for the sites is expected to come online from 2027, with data center capacity following from 2028.

Alister Grey, Managing Director for Technology & Manufacturing at Mace Construct, emphasized the collaborative approach, stating, "We take pride in collaboration, providing construction expertise and early engagement, that allows us to optimize design and build outcomes, bringing best-in-class value to our clients." He added that the firm would leverage its decades of experience constructing major European data centers to advise on and deliver these projects.

Rob Denman, CEO of PACE Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, noting, "Power and sovereignty are the defining challenges of the data center industry today, and sites that can secure a fast and reliable energy connection, will be those that succeed." He revealed that PACE Group possesses a portfolio of over 1.2 gigawatts of clean energy projects with near-term grid connections across the UK, positioning the venture to bring more than 168MW of clean-powered compute capacity into operation.

Founded in 2017, PACE has a total development pipeline of approximately 2 gigawatts, with more than 1.5GW located in the UK. This data center initiative marks the company's first foray into the sector, building upon its existing renewable energy projects like the 49MW Tydd Solar and battery facility. The collaboration signals a growing trend where energy developers and construction specialists converge to build next-generation, sustainable digital infrastructure capable of supporting the UK's escalating compute demands.

Source: datacenterdynamics