EfficiencyIT, a leading technology and data centre consultancy, has announced a partnership with Michael Smith Switchgear Ltd (MSSL), a UK-based manufacturer of sustainable electrical control and distribution equipment. The alliance aims to meet growing demand for secure, scalable and environmentally responsible modular AI infrastructure across the UK and Europe.
The collaboration brings together EfficiencyIT’s expertise in data centre engineering and modular prefabricated systems with MSSL’s manufacturing and installation capabilities for sustainable switchgear and power equipment. Together, they will offer end-to-end solutions designed to reduce deployment times, costs and the environmental impact often linked to AI and high-performance computing infrastructure. The partnership supports the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which seeks to strengthen resilient and scalable AI computing across government, enterprise and life sciences.
Sustainability is central to the partnership. EfficiencyIT holds PlanetMark accreditation and is one of just 16 Schneider Electric EcoXpert partners worldwide, recognised for its sustainability achievements. The company has also received a Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Majesty King Charles III, marking its delivery of sustainable IT infrastructure to the British Royal Household. MSSL’s sustainability efforts include halving its carbon footprint, adopting renewable energy initiatives and achieving carbon-neutral status in 2022. Its environmental leadership was recognised at COP26 and with The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
Both firms are Schneider Electric Sustainability Impact Award recipients, an accolade recognising organisations leading in efficient and sustainable operations. MSSL has digitised operations, introduced electric vehicles, installed LED lighting and solar panels and streamlined supply chains, reducing emissions in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The partnership will allow customers to access UK-manufactured, prefabricated data centre systems equipped with next-generation uninterruptible power supplies, low-voltage switchgear and other power solutions. By localising production, the firms aim to cut supply chain emissions, strengthen UK-based networks and support government efforts to establish a secure and sustainable AI infrastructure.
Nick Ewing, Managing Director at EfficiencyIT, said the partnership addresses the need to balance AI infrastructure growth with environmental and security concerns. He said it would enable organisations to expand AI and data centre environments “without compromising on environmental commitments, supply chain security or regulatory compliance.” Sean Smith, Managing Director at MSSL, echoed this view, stressing their shared focus on environmental responsibility and high manufacturing standards.
EfficiencyIT’s relationship with Schneider Electric also includes work on sustainability-focused software. In April 2024, it discussed updates to EcoStruxure IT, Schneider Electric’s automated sustainability metric reporting system. The platform combines two decades of regulatory and sustainability expertise with machine learning, enabling rapid compliance reporting for data centre operators, including with the European Energy Efficiency Directive.
As the AI sector expands, placing fresh demands on resilient and sustainable infrastructure, partnerships like that of EfficiencyIT and MSSL mark important progress. They strengthen the UK’s ability to deliver advanced AI and high-performance computing environments while embedding sustainability throughout design, production and deployment.
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