UK construction firm Mace Construct has been tapped by Pathfinder Clean Energy Limited (PACE) to construct a portfolio of data centers with a combined capacity of 168MW.

The two companies signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding under which Mace will support the development of three data center projects. As per the terms of the agreement, Mace will help determine each project’s feasibility and viability, and optimise the design and build strategy.

According to the companies, the agreement incentivises collaboration as each project progresses from initial conception through to execution.

PACE expects the initial three sites to commence construction in 2026, with the projects slated for development in the Southeast, West Midlands, and West of England. The company claims that the sites are being developed for ‘latency-sensitive’ applications such as high-performance computing and AI.

Power availability for the projects is expected to come online as early as 2027, with data capacity closely following from 2028. Once constructed, the facilities will be powered via a private wire tied to adjacent renewable power projects and energy storage facilities. The configuration, the companies contend, will create a foundation for scalable, energy-backed digital infrastructure.

“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,” said Alister Grey, managing director for Technology & Manufacturing, Mace Construct. “It’s great to use our decades of experience constructing some of the biggest and most complex data centers in Europe, to provide advice on these projects and deliver them on site. I am confident that this will be a long-term, successful partnership that will drive sustainability in an energy-intensive sector.”

Rob Denman, CEO of PACE Group, added: “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. PACE Group has a portfolio of more than 1.2GW of clean energy projects with near-term grid connections across the UK, and further assets internationally.

“By working with Mace Construct across these three lead sites, bringing more than 168MW of clean-powered compute into operation, our combined capabilities position us as leaders in this emerging sector where clean energy and sustainable compute come together.”

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in London, PACE has a development pipeline of approximately 2GW, with more than 1.5GW of that capacity located in the UK market. Notable projects include the 49MW/30MW Tydd Solar and battery project in Lincolnshire, and the 27MW Apple Tree Solar project in Suffolk. The announced data center projects are the company’s first.