NY state pauses new large data centre projects in US first

thestar.com.my Jul 15, 2026

NY state pauses new large data centre projects in US first

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jul 15, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

New York became the first US state to halt construction of new large-scale data centres on July 14, with Governor Kathy Hochul signing an executive order pausing permits for up to one year. The immediate moratorium applies to facilities with capacities of at least 50 megawatts, aiming to develop regulations for the rapidly expanding sector driven by artificial intelligence demand. Critics cite high electricity consumption, water usage, and noise as major concerns. While local restrictions exist elsewhere, this is the first statewide pause. Hochul stated the move protects New Yorkers from rising utility bills and resource depletion, pledging to pursue legislation repealing sales tax exemptions for these centres. Supporters argue the pause hurts job growth and AI competitiveness. A recent Allianz Trade study estimated data centres emitted 286 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2025, with AI’s share of electricity consumption potentially reaching 40% by 2030.

💡 Why It Matters

· This executive order establishes a critical precedent for balancing rapid technological expansion with local infrastructure limits.
· It forces a national reckoning on how states manage the environmental and economic externalities of the AI boom.

Read full article on thestar.com.my

Bluestaq Launches BLUESTAQ / ARQ Defense-Grade Data Infrastructure Now Available for Commercial,…

Bluestaq has launched BLUESTAQ / ARQ, a commercial data infrastructure platform designed for secure, compliant data movement across industries like healthcare, finance, agriculture, and government. The platform offers four deployment environments and four capabilities to connect, manage, and distribute data without replacing existing systems. Built and tested in high-stakes operational settings since 2018, / ARQ aims to unify fragmented data ecosystems.

💡 Bluestaq’s platform addresses a persistent challenge—data silos—by offering a flexible, secure infrastructure that works across sectors and deployment models. Its real-world testing in mission-critical environments adds credibility, making it a compelling option for organizations that need reliable data integration without overhauling their current systems.

yorkpress.co.uk · Jul 16

NHS urged to be ‘careful’ over use of Palantir’s controversial data platform

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les has refused to join calls for a freeze on the NHS’s use of Palantir’s data platform, despite concerns over the controversial technology. A cross-party committee has urged the UK government to reconsider Palantir’s role in public services, citing the availability of other providers. The NHS Federated Data Platform, contracted to Palantir in November 2023, is under review, with MPs calling for the 2027 break clause to be exercised. While Les supports careful consideration, he will not push for a suspension of integration efforts.

💡 The decision highlights a growing divide between local leaders and national concerns over data security and corporate influence in public health. By not backing a freeze, Les signals continued trust in Palantir’s role, despite mounting scrutiny over its involvement in critical UK infrastructure.

nationthailand.com · Jul 16

AIS powers Muang Thong Thani’s transformation into a connected smart city

Advanced Info Service (AIS) and Bangkok Land have launched a digital infrastructure program to transform Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi into a connected smart city. Spanning over 4,000 rai, the initiative, titled “Muang Thong NEXT,” integrates mobile and fixed networks with cloud, data, and artificial intelligence systems. AIS plans to complete the installation within 12 months, deploying comprehensive 5G coverage and upgrading to 5G-Advanced technology. This upgrade aims to handle heavy demand at venues like IMPACT, supporting live streaming and immersive experiences for tens of thousands of simultaneous users. Residential areas will receive AIS 3BB Fibre3 broadband and Wi-Fi 7, enabling smart home applications and telemedicine. Businesses will access hyper-connectivity, sovereign cloud, and AI solutions to accelerate digital transformation. The infrastructure supports AI-powered CCTV, smart access controls, and IoT devices. Data from various sectors will integrate into a Smart City Data Platform and Digital Twin, providing administrators with real-time oversight to optimize traffic, energy consumption, and public safety across the district.

💡 The integration of a Digital Twin platform allows administrators to optimize urban resources in real-time, moving beyond simple connectivity to intelligent district management. This approach directly addresses the logistical challenges of hosting mass events while enhancing daily life for residents through seamless digital infrastructure.

financialcontent.com · Jul 16

Hirundo’s Transceiver Series: Breakthroughs in High-Speed Interconnection

Hirundo Optics Inc. has unveiled its latest transceiver series, positioning the company as a key player in high-speed interconnection solutions for fiber-optic communication systems. Transceivers serve as critical photoelectric conversion devices, transforming electrical signals into light for rapid data transmission across networks. As AI computing clusters and large models drive unprecedented demand for bandwidth, transmission rates have evolved from 1Gbps to 1.6Tbps. Hirundo addresses this surge by pursuing a dual technical strategy involving passive optical devices and high-speed active transceivers. Leveraging independent photoelectric integration capabilities, the firm expands its presence in telecom, government, and supercomputing sectors. The company’s bank-card-sized devices integrate complex components, including TOSA, ROSA, and electrical chips, to ensure efficient bidirectional conversion. This advancement supports domestic chip substitution and accelerates the commercialization of next-generation, low-power optical interconnection technologies essential for modern digital infrastructure and global logistics-style data networks.

💡 Domestic substitution of critical optical components reduces reliance on foreign suppliers for AI infrastructure. Low-power transceivers directly address the energy constraints of expanding supercomputing centers.

cleantechnica.com · Jul 14

Insane “Gigascale” 5.2GW, 19GWh Solar + Storage Project Moves Forward

Masdar has reached financial close on the world’s first gigascale Round-the-Clock (RTC) renewable energy project, combining a 5.2GW solar plant with a 19GWh battery storage system in Abu Dhabi. Funded by a $6.1 billion investment, including $5.1 billion from 13 international banks, the project will supply 1GW of continuous clean power. Construction began in October 2025 and is expected to finish in 2027.

💡 The project sets a new standard for financing and delivering large-scale renewable energy solutions that can meet the 24/7 power demands of energy-intensive sectors like AI and data centers. By proving the commercial viability of such systems, it paves the way for similar projects worldwide.

naijaonpoint.com.ng · Jul 14

Data Center Builders Are Racing to Offload Stakes Worth Billions

U.S. data-center developers are actively negotiating with bankers to sell majority equity stakes worth tens of billions of dollars this summer. Firms including Netrality Data Centers, DataBank, Edged, and EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure are pitching private-equity investors on assets benefiting from surging artificial intelligence demand. A massive backlog for server capacity and severe supply chain shortages for labor and components have driven construction costs to unprecedented levels. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently estimated building a gigawatt of computing power could cost between $80 billion and $100 billion. Consequently, operators are seeking deeper-pocketed backers to fund expansion. DataBank, owned by a consortium led by DigitalBridge, is exploring a potential sale valued at up to $25 billion. EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, backed by Partners Group, recently solicited offers. KKR’s Helix Digital Infrastructure is among firms evaluating these assets. This activity follows a record 2025 M&A year totaling approximately $50 billion, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

💡 The consolidation signals a structural shift where only ultra-capitalized entities can sustain the exorbitant costs of AI infrastructure development. This trend effectively bars smaller competitors from the market, centralizing control of critical computing resources among a few deep-pocketed private equity firms.