RTK-Data Center Launches Seamless Modernization of Its Data Center Network
Russia’s commercial data center market leader, RTK-Data Center, has launched a comprehensive modernization of its infrastructure. One of the key stages will be making the power supply to its data centers more reliable.
RTK-Data Center is a subsidiary of Rostelecom PJSC. The modernization program launched by the company is scheduled to run from 2026 through 2029 and includes upgrades to key components of data center engineering infrastructure. Over the next six months, the company plans to replace more than 100 external condenser units, chillers, and uninterruptible power supplies.
The project’s main goal is to improve the reliability of power supplies and eliminate the risk of data center failures. The most challenging period for data centers is the hot season, when cooling server racks becomes significantly more difficult. The new chillers will help reduce the load on cooling equipment already in operation.
The project’s key feature is that all work will be carried out using a hot-swap approach, meaning the power will not be shut off and the system as a whole will not be stopped. As a result, the equipment upgrades will have no effect on client services or service-level agreements (SLAs).
Resilience as the Top Priority
RTK-Data Center’s program reflects a shift in the strategy of Russian data center operators. The focus is not on building new facilities or expanding the capacity of existing data centers, but on improving infrastructure that is already in operation, with an emphasis on keeping all services running continuously.
This is one of the industry’s most promising areas. The cloud services market is growing, as are the number of government digital projects and demand for data center services from Russian businesses. Comprehensive data center modernization will also create demand for Russian manufacturers of cooling equipment and uninterruptible power systems.
In addition, the adoption of AI technologies is increasing data center power consumption, creating demand for more powerful equipment to be developed and manufactured. Russian companies have the capabilities to meet that demand. Over the past two to three years, the range of uninterruptible power supplies designed for data center use has expanded significantly. Solutions with capacities of up to 1.2 MW are now available, with options for scaling up.
Following Market Trends
RTK-Data Center’s modernization program responds to the demands of a market that has changed significantly over the past five years. The energy and utilities sectors are restructuring their IT infrastructure. Energy companies and utility operators are moving away from models based exclusively on their own computing resources toward hybrid architectures. Corporate servers are being integrated with cloud infrastructure, allowing companies to reduce capital expenditures and quickly add computing capacity when needed.
For example, in 2022, Novosibirskenergosbyt JSC, together with DataFort LLC, a subsidiary of VimpelCom PJSC, moved its corporate services to cloud infrastructure without shutting down critical systems. In 2026, TEK SPb JSC and RTK-Data Center LLC completed a project to create a hybrid infrastructure for a district heating company. The migration of its IT infrastructure also caused no disruptions to the customer’s ongoing operations.
Continuous Upgrades Become the New Norm
The process initiated by the largest player in Russia’s data center market shows that the industry is moving toward a model of continuous infrastructure upgrades. In the coming years, companies will focus on improving energy efficiency, increasing the capacity of uninterruptible power systems, modernizing cooling systems, and automating the management of data center engineering systems.
Reliability requirements for data centers are rising as cloud services, enterprise digitalization, and AI technologies become more widespread. Russian data center operators also plan to increase investment in building new computing capacity and modernizing existing facilities.
Seamless modernization technologies tested through large-scale projects such as RTK-Data Center’s will be in demand both in Russia and abroad. The challenge of upgrading infrastructure without affecting SLAs exists internationally as well. The experience of Russian companies, along with reliable equipment developed as part of import-substitution efforts, has strong export potential in friendly markets.
