The expansion will see the addition of two secure data halls to the Tier 3 facility, featuring autonomous mechanical services to ensure complete redundancy and increased efficiency and a boost to capacity with over 150 new racks being installed.

The project also includes the addition of new build and configuration rooms, along with secure storage areas. Once complete, the new data centre will be ISO27001, 14001 and PCI-DSS compliant, as well as part of the G-Cloud and Scottish Government frameworks.

The South Gyle facility, one of 10 owned by Pulsant, currently supports over 800 racks and 12Mw of power in two secure, purpose-built data centres. It also hosts Scotland’s first dedicated internet exchange – IX Scotland.

Matt Lovell, Pulsant CTO, said: “We’re delighted to break ground and see the planning come to fruition. This project is part of our overall expansion strategy and came about due to a real need in the region for additional secure data centres able to deliver the best technology solutions in terms of uptime, redundancy and support.

“The expansion will attract new customers, but also benefit our existing clients who have growing requirements and can easily take advantage of the new space that can be customised according to their exact requirements.”

The new data centre will incorporate direct fibre access to a wide range of service providers and carriers, and will also make use of blended evaporative and fresh air cooling technologies and onsite high voltage network to ensure 2N delivery of power to each rack.

Construction is expected to complete in August 2015.