Data Centre Capacity to Hit 200GW by 2030 as AI Demand Grows

Global data centre capacity is projected to rise from 103GW to 200GW by 2030, according to JLL’s 2026 Global Data Centre Outlook.

The report attributes this growth largely to AI, which is set to account for 50% of total capacity by 2030, up from 25% in 2025.

AI reshapes data centre development

Meeting this demand will require as much as US$3tn in total investment over the next five years. This includes US$1.2tn in new real estate asset value and around US$870bn in debt financing.

Matt Landek, Global Division President, Data Centres and Critical Environments at JLL, says: “We’re witnessing the most significant transformation in data centre infrastructure since the original cloud migration.

“The sheer scale of demand is extraordinary. Hyperscalers are allocating US$1tn for data centre spend between 2024 and 2026 alone, while supply constraints and four-year grid connection delays are creating a perfect storm that’s fundamentally reshaping how we approach development, energy sourcing and market strategy.”

AI inference workloads are expected to overtake training requirements by 2027.

These new facilities already demand up to 10 times the power density of traditional data centres.

Andrew Batson, Global Head of Data Centre Research at JLL, says: “We’re witnessing the emergence of an entirely new infrastructure paradigm where AI training facilities demand 10 times the power density and command 60% lease rate premiums over traditional data centres.

“Beyond the economics, AI has become a matter of national strategic importance, driving countries to develop domestic capabilities through sovereign infrastructure investments that represent an US$8bn CapEx opportunity by 2030.”

AI chip revenue is forecast to reach 50% of the total semiconductor market by 2030, with custom silicon capturing 15% market share as hyperscalers design their own processors.

Regional expansion and market confidence

The Americas remain the largest region by capacity, representing around half of global data centre supply. The US alone accounts for 90% of this.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to grow from 32GW to 57GW, with colocation driving growth while on-premise enterprise capacity declines by 6%.

In EMEA, demand from hyperscalers fuels growth in London, Frankfurt and Paris, as well as in emerging Middle Eastern markets.

Despite the scale of growth, JLL says market fundamentals remain stable.

Global occupancy is at 97%, with 77% of construction projects already pre-leased. Lease rates are projected to grow 5% annually through 2030, led by the Americas at 7%.

However, supply chain delays persist. Equipment lead times now average 33 weeks, up 50% from before 2020.

More than half of 2025 projects are experiencing construction delays of at least three months. As well as this, the industry is shifting towards modular construction and micro data centres, with this segment expected to reach US$48bn annually by 2030.

Glen Duncan, JLL Data Centre Research Director, Asia Pacific, says: “The increase in equipment lead times is affecting APAC just as it is globally, but strong pre-commitment levels demonstrate continued confidence in the market.” 

Power strategies and investment trends evolve

Energy remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. Primary markets report grid connection delays exceeding four years.

Some regions, including Dublin and Texas, now require operators to bring their own power.

Operators are responding with alternative energy strategies. In the US, natural gas is being used for backup and increasingly for primary on-site power. 

Hyperscalers are already matching their US data centre energy use with renewables. In EMEA, combining renewable sources with private wire transmission can cut tenant energy costs by up to 40%.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are being adopted to manage short outages and reduce interconnection delays.

Solar-plus-storage is expected to become a standard approach by 2030, as renewable energy costs undercut fossil fuels.

Martin Jensen, EMEA Division President, Data Centres at JLL, says: “As regulatory and stakeholder expectations around renewable energy sourcing increase globally, data centre operators will face heightened scrutiny over their energy procurement.

“While renewables like solar and wind remain the dominant focus of clean energy strategies, power sources such as nuclear are gaining attention for their ability to provide reliable electricity and help balance sustainability requirements with operational continuity; however, significant new nuclear capacity is unlikely to be widely deployed before the 2030s.”

Capital markets are also maturing.

Core strategies now make up 24% of fundraising activity, up from less than 10%. Since 2020, data centre M&A deals have reached US$300bn. 

Going forward, more investment is expected through recapitalisations and joint ventures.

Global core fund formation could exceed US$50bn in 2026, with ABS and CMBS securities projected to reach US$50bn as the sector scales further.