VivoPower to Open Dublin Office, Appoints Shane Whelan to Global Advisory Council to Leverage Hyperscaler Relationships and Build Sovereign AI Data Center Business
Rhea-AI Summary
VivoPower (NASDAQ: VVPR) appointed Shane Whelan to its Global Advisory Council and will open a Dublin office as it scales a sovereign AI data center infrastructure business.
Whelan brings multi‑decade relationships with hyperscalers including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and a development portfolio exceeding 3.5 million square feet with gross development value in excess of $2 billion. The Dublin office will support recruiting development, technical delivery, and operations personnel as VivoPower advances its Power‑to‑X strategy and AI data center buildout.
Positive
- Dublin office opening to scale AI data center operations (Jan 2026)
- Appointment of Shane Whelan to Global Advisory Council
- Development portfolio >3.5 million sq ft
- Gross development value in excess of $2 billion
- Hyperscaler relationships with Google, Microsoft, and Amazon
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, VVPR gained 9.56%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.7% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -6.8% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 12 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $3M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $38M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
VVPR was up 1.12% pre-news while key solar peers showed mixed moves: SMXT +10%, MAXN +1.95%, SOL flat, FTCI -1.31%, TYGO -0.65%. Momentum scanner only flagged BEEM at +23.16%, suggesting today’s AI data center announcement is company-specific rather than a broad solar-sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08 | Advisory appointment | Positive | +2.0% | Added Middle East sovereign wealth expert to Global Advisory Council. |
| Dec 30 | AI data center deal | Positive | -11.3% | Proposed acquisition of 40MW Norway data center for sovereign AI pivot. |
| Dec 29 | SPAC combination | Positive | +9.0% | Tembo submitted confidential F-4 for Nasdaq business combination with CCTS. |
| Dec 23 | AI strategy refocus | Positive | -5.6% | Refocus on Power-to-X with X as sovereign AI compute infrastructure. |
| Dec 15 | Crypto mandate | Positive | -9.0% | Engagement to originate $300M Ripple Labs exposure tied to XRP tokens. |
Recent news, especially around AI infrastructure, acquisitions and digital assets, has often seen mixed-to-negative price reactions despite generally growth-oriented narratives.
Over the last month, VivoPower has announced multiple strategic steps toward sovereign AI and digital infrastructure. On Dec 23, 2025, it refocused its Power-to-X strategy toward sovereign AI compute infrastructure, which saw a -5.56% move. A Dec 29 Tembo F-4 business combination update was followed by a +9.02% reaction, while the proposed Norway data center acquisition on Dec 30 saw a -11.28% move. Advisory additions on Dec 15 (crypto mandate) and Jan 8 (sovereign wealth expertise) drew -9.03% and +1.99% respectively. Today’s Dublin AI data center advisory appointment extends this AI-centric buildout.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective Form F-3 shelf dated Dec 23, 2025 permits offerings of up to $180,000,000 in various securities, with stated uses including Tembo EV expansion, working capital, Ripple Labs share purchases, crypto-mining rigs, other investments and acquisitions, and debt reduction. The shelf was not yet effective and had 0 recorded usages in the provided data.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +9.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with VivoPower’s recent pivot toward sovereign AI infrastructure and data centers, including the Norway 40MW facility and today’s Dublin-focused advisory appointment. Historical patterns show mixed price responses to growth news, so any sharp upside could face risks from financing needs under the $180,000,000 shelf and prior going-concern commentary, as well as the stock’s position 69.37% below its 52-week high.
Key Terms
hyperscalers technical
sovereign AI technical
data center infrastructure technical
Power -to-X technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Based in Dublin, Mr. Whelan is one of Europe’s leading real estate and infrastructure asset developers
He has multi-decade relationships with hyperscalers, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon
Development portfolio exceeds
Mr. Whelan will establish a Dublin office for VivoPower as it scales up its Sovereign AI data center infrastructure business, further advancing its Power -to-X strategy
LONDON, UK, Jan. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR) (“VivoPower” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce the appointment of Shane Whelan to its Global Advisory Council. Mr. Whelan is a highly experienced real estate and infrastructure asset developer who has multi-decade relationships with data center operators as well as hyperscalers, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, amongst others.
Mr. Whelan’s development portfolio exceeds 3.5 million square feet of real estate and infrastructure assets across the EU and UK, with a gross development value in excess of
Kevin Chin, Executive Chairman and CEO of VivoPower, said: “We are delighted to welcome Shane to our Global Advisory Council. Given his extensive experience and relationships with hyperscalers, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as data center operators, he will be invaluable as we scale up our AI data center infrastructure business globally. Importantly, he will advise us as we establish our Dublin office and build up a high caliber and high tempo team there.”
Shane Whelan said: “Having worked behind the scenes with Kevin and his team, I am very pleased to be joining VivoPower and am confident that we will scale up the most trusted independent sovereign AI data center infrastructure and real estate group globally. Dublin is an important market for data center infrastructure talent, and we will be recruiting experienced and committed development management, technical delivery, and operational execution personnel.”
About VivoPower
Originally founded in 2014 and listed on Nasdaq since 2016, VivoPower operates with a global footprint spanning the United Kingdom, Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. An award-winning global sustainable energy solutions B Corporation, VivoPower has three business units, Tembo, Caret Digital and Vivo Federation. Across Tembo, Caret Digital and Vivo Federation, VivoPower has assembled a platform encompassing power-to-x, digital infrastructure, compute, mobility and digital assets, with a core focus on the highest-return Power-to-X opportunity: Sovereign AI computing. Tembo is focused on electric solutions for off-road and on-road customized and ruggedized fleet applications, as well as ancillary financing, charging, battery, and microgrid solutions. Caret Digital is a power-to-x business focused on the highest and best use cases for renewable power, including digital asset mining. Vivo Federation is the digital asset arm of VivoPower focused on XRPL-based real-world blockchain applications and maintaining exposure to Ripple Labs shares and XRP tokens.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes certain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," “target”, "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the achievement of performance hurdles, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication and the expected returns therefrom. These statements are based on VivoPower's management's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower's business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, and other factors set forth in VivoPower's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Due to circumstances outside of its control and/or any other unexpected developments, VivoPower may not ultimately procure any financial benefits from the above joint venture agreement. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Media Contacts
VivoPower: media@vivopower.com
FAQ
What did VivoPower (VVPR) announce on January 14, 2026?
What experience does Shane Whelan bring to VivoPower (VVPR)?
How large is Shane Whelan’s development portfolio tied to the VivoPower (VVPR) appointment?
Why is VivoPower (VVPR) opening a Dublin office?
Will the VivoPower (VVPR) Dublin office focus on hyperscaler relationships?
