Marsh: Managing Risks in Data Centre Construction

Marsh Risk has bolstered its Nimbus insurance facility to US$2.7bn, responding to increased demand from contractors and developers working on large-scale data centre projects.

The expansion could provide construction firms with access to higher insurance limits as they navigate the complexities of building digital infrastructure across the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The Nimbus facility, launched by Marsh Risk in June 2025, targets the specific insurance needs of data centre construction.

As a business of Marsh, the world's leading insurance broker and risk adviser, the facility has already been deployed on builds in the UK, US and the Netherlands.

The expansion reflects growing requirements for specialised cover as construction activity in the data centre sector intensifies.

Insurance tailored to construction risks

The facility addresses key exposures faced during the construction phase, including business interruption and delay in start-up coverage. For contractors managing data centre builds, these protections could prove critical given the sector's reliance on precise scheduling and complex supply chains.

According to Marsh Risk, Nimbus draws on A-rated insurers from the Lloyd's market and other company providers, offering access to substantial London market capacity. This structure enables developers and their capital providers to secure high-limit cover designed for the technical demands of builds supporting AI, cloud and enterprise infrastructure.

Marsh Risk's Global Digital Infrastructure team provides additional support throughout the construction lifecycle, advising on matters spanning cybersecurity, power integration and construction-specific challenges. This approach aims to protect both capital investment and long-term asset resilience.

Construction activity accelerates with Industry 4.0

Mike Mathews, Global Digital Infrastructure Leader at Marsh, says: "Demand for more powerful and efficient data centres is accelerating technological innovation, particularly around AI and machine learning, which will revolutionise the way we live and work and reshape economic landscapes over the next decade.

"Marsh is helping clients in this sector work with communities to develop business strategies that will enable them to grow sustainably."

The surge in data centre construction is linked to Industry 4.0, the ongoing industrial transition driven by automation, data exchange and smart technologies. As governments and enterprises expand their digital operations, the need for resilient, energy-intensive facilities continues to rise.

For construction firms, this trend brings opportunities alongside new challenges. Large-scale data centre projects involve risks related to environmental impact, energy infrastructure integration and strict operational timelines. Nimbus could address these exposures by offering combined coverage that supports developers and investors from groundbreaking through to project handover.

Managing project delivery and resilience

Mathews says: "By harnessing our global resources in critical interconnected areas such as capital management, construction, off-site power generation, environmental risk and operational resilience, Marsh is enabling data centre developers, operators and owners to strengthen their delivery and resilience as we embrace the age of Industry 4.0."

Marsh Risk positions Nimbus as part of a broader service framework designed to guide construction teams through the specific demands of digital infrastructure projects. This includes coordinated risk management spanning construction cover and wider asset protection strategies.

The expansion to US$2.7bn increases available insurer capacity for contractors undertaking complex data centre builds. As construction activity ramps up to meet growing AI and cloud demand, facilities such as Nimbus could help secure capital and reduce exposure across the project lifecycle, from site preparation through to commissioning.