The integrated cable offer for data centers

From design to operations, Nexans secures every kilowatt of your data center’s electrical infrastructure, with certified cables, traceable supply chains, and breakthrough technologies ready for AI-scale power demands.

Data center

The market by the numbers

415 TWh

Global data center power consumption in 2024 (IEA)

945 TWh

Projected consumption by 2030 โ€” 10% of global electricity demand (IEA)

48 GW

Total European data center capacity projected by 2031 (EUDCA)

+14%

CAGR for European data centers through 2031 (EUDCA)

500 kโ‚ฌ/h

Potential cost of one hour of data center downtime (Ponemon Institute)

Data centers: the backbone of the digital economy

The rise of generative AI, server densification, and growing ESG requirements are redefining industry standards at an unprecedented pace.

Cables are not just components, they are the backbone of your electrical infrastructure. With 45% of outages rooted in electrical issues, cabling choices directly determine availability, performance, and long-term cost control.

2 – 2.5% Of total project investment, that’s what cabling systems represent, yet they carry 100% of the impact on reliability and cost control. (Source: Nexans internal market study).

50% Of operating costs in a data center come from energy, cable infrastructure choices have a direct impact on long-term facility efficiency. (Source: Nexans internal market study).

80-100 kW Per AI rack, up from 5โ€“10 kW just five years ago. This power leap renders conventional cabling specifications obsolete.

Supply chain pressure

Lead times for critical electrical equipment now reach 18 to 36 months. A delayed cable delivery can trigger contractual penalties and jeopardize your entire commissioning schedule.

Nexans, a pure-play partner in sustainable electrification
Global leader in cables, present in 41 countries with over a century of electrification expertise. Nexans supports data center developers, operators, and installers with a fully integrated approach, from design to operations.

Most comprehensive product range

From high voltage to low voltage, including fire safety cables and accessories, compliant with major US and international standards (NEC, UL, IEC, CPR).

Breakthrough technologies

HTS superconducting cables and 800 VDC systems designed for next-generation hyperscalers and AI-scale power densities exceeding 1 GW.

Single point of contact

Over 90% of international standards covered from one integrated portfolio. Fewer supplier interfaces, less friction, stronger accountability.

Secured supply chain

Real-time reel tracking (Ultracker), US and European manufacturing footprint, and global distribution network, delivering cables on time, every time.

Built-in sustainability

Low-carbon cable range (โˆ’35% COโ‚‚), PEP Ecopassportยฎ transparency for CSRD/LEED reporting, and CableLoop end-of-life cable recycling.

End-to-end project support

3D BIM modeling, certified installation training, on-site support, and predictive maintenance in operations, Nexans is with you at every stage.

As data centers grow ever more powerful, performance depends on what remains unseen: cable systems that are easy to install, deliver reliable power, optimize every kilowatt consumed, and minimize carbon footprint. At Nexans, we turn cabling infrastructure into a driver of efficiency and sustainability.

Olivier Pinto
Olivier Pinto

Global Offer Director โ€“ Data Centers, Nexans

Integrated cable solutions for every project phase

From design to long-term operations, Nexans secures every stage of your data center project and turns technical constraints into performance drivers.

Future-proofing data centers for AI-scale power

HTS superconducting cables and 800 VDC systems: Nexans is developing the solutions that will allow hyperscalers and high-power data centers to clear the next technological threshold.

Superconducting cable

High-temperature superconducting cables for hyperscalers

HTS cables transmit extremely high power levels, up to 3.2 GW, with zero or near-zero electrical losses, in a dramatically reduced footprint compared to conventional cables.
– Power transmission up to 3.2 GW with near-zero losses
– 97% less copper than conventional cables
– Up to 10ร— narrower cables, minimal floor space impact
– Reduced cooling infrastructure needs inside data halls
– Ideal for hyperscale and AI/HPC workloads data center sites.

Data centers

800 VDC architecture for high-density power distribution

AI and HPC racks at 80โ€“100 kW make traditional AC (alternative current) architectures obsolete. 800 VDC (volts direct current) systems natively deliver power in direct current, eliminating successive AC/DC conversion losses.
– Elimination of successive AC/DC conversions, improved end-to-end efficiency
– Native integration of BESS and photovoltaic sources
– Faster response to AI workload dynamics and greater resilience
– Compact, simplified power infrastructure
– Compatible with low-carbon, scalable data center designs.

HTS + 800 VDC: the combination built for tomorrow’s hyperscalers

Combining HTS superconducting cables with 800 VDC distribution systems unlocks maximum performance: lossless transmission across HV, MV, and LV networks, reduced operating costs, and a compact installation footprint in constrained spaces.

โ‰ˆ 0

energy loss in HTS power transmission.

 

60%

of a hyperscaler’s operating expenses come from electricity.

Reducing your data center’s carbon footprint
From CSRD and LEED requirements to Scope 3 reporting, Nexans embeds sustainability at every level, low-carbon cables, environmental transparency, and end-of-life cable recycling.

Low-carbon cable range

COโ‚‚ footprint optimized at production through integration of recycled copper and aluminum (min. 10%) and low-carbon-footprint aluminum sourcing (< 7.3 t COโ‚‚ eq/t). Identified by the Nexans "Low Carbon" symbol. (Source: European Aluminum Association, 2018).

Full environmental transparency

PEP Ecopassportยฎ declarations across all cables: COโ‚‚ data accessible directly from product pages, Scope 3 documentation for CSRD reporting. Unlocks up to 2 LEED points on your environmental certifications.

CableLoop, turnkey cable recycling

End-of-life cable collection and recycling: digital collection platform, full traceability, LME-indexed pricing. Processing via RecyCรขbles, a Nexans/SUEZ joint venture and Europe’s leading cable recycling center.

Expert perspectives on data centers

Technical white papers, case studies, and industry guides to inform your electrical infrastructure decisions.

Perspectives
  • Infography

    thumbnail-data-centers

    Data Centers, wired to last

    Digital transformation

    03/07/2025

  • Article

    thumbnail-powering-digital-world

    Powering the digital world: the crucial role of cables in data centers

    Electrification of tomorrow

    05/02/2025

  • Article

    Serie : Spotlight on Superconductivity

    data-centers-and-superconductivity_thumbnail

    Data centers of the future: powered by superconducting cables for scalable and sustainable growth

    Electrification of tomorrow

    19/11/2025

  • Article

    Serie : Spotlight on Superconductivity

    superconductivity-rails-and-data-thumbnail-2

    Superconductivity: Powering tomorrow’s rail and data infrastructure

    Electrification of tomorrow

    29/10/2025

  • Interview

    Accelerating electrification through shared innovation thumbnail

    Accelerating electrification through shared innovation

    Electrification of tomorrow

    31/10/2025

  • Nexans data center white paper cover
    Nexans data center white paper cover

    White paper

    Why power cables are strategic assets for data centers?

    Power cables account for 2% of a data center’s construction cost, and 100% of its uptime risk. Download the Nexans white paper to understand how the right cabling strategy protects your operations, cuts energy costs, and future-proofs your infrastructure for AI-scale power demands.

    Download the white paper

    Let’s talk about your project

    Everything you need to know about data center cables