Data Center Investment News — 17/05/2024
CoreWeave to Invest $1bn in UK Data Centers
CoreWeave has announced plans to invest $1 billion in developing data centers across the United Kingdom. This significant investment aims to expand CoreWeave’s infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and data storage services in the region.
“We are seeing unprecedented demand for AI infrastructure and London is an important AI hub that we are investing in. Expanding our physical footprint in the UK is an important milestone in the next phase of CoreWeave’s growth,” said Mike Intrator, cofounder and CEO, CoreWeave.
“CoreWeave’s infrastructure will fill a void in the cloud market by providing AI enterprises with localized high-performance compute solutions that will help build and deploy the next generation of AI applications.”
The new facilities will provide advanced, high-performance computing resources to support various industries, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data analytics.
$3bn Data Center Proposed Outside Richmond in Powhatan County, Virginia
A $3 billion data center project has been proposed in Powhatan County, near Richmond, Virginia. This major development is expected to boost the local economy by creating numerous jobs and attracting further investment to the area.
The site is currently zoned as agricultural land, with Province Group seeking to rezone the site as light industrial. Made up of three parcels, the property sits within land earmarked as an “economic opportunity zone” within Powhatan’s 2021 land use plan.
“In Powhatan County, a data center development will be an employment-generating use that supports local economic development goals by providing a new, significant, and positive commercial tax revenue,” the developer said.
The facility will cater to the increasing demand for data storage and processing capabilities, reflecting the broader trend of digital transformation and data dependency.
Real Estate Firm Tishman Moves into Data Centers, Plans Frankfurt Campus Alongside Mainova
Tishman, a renowned real estate firm, is venturing into the data center market with plans to develop a new data center campus in Frankfurt, Germany.
Dominic Deller, CFO of Samson, said: “The sale of this second major part of our historic site in Frankfurt is another important milestone in the transformation of our company. We are pleased that the site was sold to a long-established Frankfurt company that will be working closely with the city of Frankfurt to retain jobs in Frankfurt’s East Harbor district by investing in future technologies that are essential for the digitalization of the German economy.”
Partnering with Mainova, a local energy provider, the project underscores the growing interest of traditional real estate companies in the data center sector. The Frankfurt campus will feature state-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the high demands of data processing and storage in the region.
Microsoft Plans $4bn Data Center Investment in France
Microsoft has announced an ambitious $4 billion investment to build new data centers in France. This strategic move aims to enhance Microsoft’s cloud services infrastructure in Europe, providing French businesses with improved access to Azure cloud services.
“This major investment demonstrates a steadfast commitment to supporting digital innovation and economic growth in France,” said Microsoft president Brad Smith. “We are building state-of-the-art cloud and AI infrastructure, training people with AI skills, and supporting French startups as they use our technology with confidence to grow in a fair and responsible way.”
The investment will bolster France’s digital economy and support its growing tech industry by offering advanced cloud computing capabilities.
PAIX Data Centres Plans 5MW Data Center in JV with Djibouti Sovereign Fund
PAIX Data Centres, in collaboration with the Djibouti Sovereign Fund, has announced plans to develop a 5MW data center in Djibouti. This joint venture aims to leverage Djibouti’s strategic location as a key internet and data hub in Africa.
Jean-Andre Gbarssin, chief investment officer at Djoubi Sovereign Fund, said: “PAIX Djibouti will serve as a catalyst for digital inclusion and economic development, empowering businesses to unlock new opportunities and realize their full potential in the digital age. And we’re delighted as the Sovereign Wealth Fund to be part of this investment.”
Wouter van Hulten, CEO at PAIX, said: “PAIX’s investment in JIB1 positions it at the crossroads of connectivity between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The strong network hub that is created by the aggregation of multiple undersea cable landing points connecting to terrestrial cables makes Djibouti a highly attractive gateway.”
The new facility will provide enhanced data services and connectivity, supporting regional digital transformation and economic growth.
NEC Launches Two Data Centers in Kanagawa and Kobe, Japan
NEC has launched two new data centers in Kanagawa and Kobe, Japan. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to support NEC’s expanding cloud and IT services, catering to the growing demand for secure and efficient data storage solutions.
“In response to the recent increase in demand for data centers, NEC opened the “NEC Kanagawa Data Center Phase 2 Building” and the “NEC Kobe Data Center Phase III Building” as green data centers that utilize 100 percent renewable energy,” the company announced this week. “Furthermore, we have realized a design that can handle the high waste heat generated by the highly integrated computers such as GPU servers that are increasing with the advancement and spread of AI.”
The company first announced plans for the two buildings in September 2022. The Kanagawa was originally planned to launch in the latter half of 2023. The new data centers will enhance NEC’s ability to deliver advanced digital services across Japan and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Colt Tops Out Hayes Data Center Outside London
Colt Data Centre Services has announced the topping out of its new data center in Hayes, just outside London. This milestone marks the completion of the structural phase of the project.
The facility will span nine 1,000 sqm (10,765 sq ft) data halls across five floors. The London 4 campus will feature two buildings totaling 57MW across 49,000 sqm (527,430 sq ft). The company recently acquired more adjacent land on which it hopes to build two more buildings.
First revealed in August 2022, the Fidelity Investments-owned company is redeveloping the former Optimum Data Centre and surrounding area on the Springfield Road Industrial Area. The company broke ground on the first building in February 2023; the data center is set to go live in Q3 2025.
The new facility will provide cutting-edge data services to meet the growing needs of businesses in the UK and Europe, offering enhanced connectivity and data processing capabilities.
Prime Files for Two Data Center Campuses in Dallas-Fort Worth
Prime Data Centers has filed for the development of two new data center campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These campuses will significantly expand Prime’s presence in Texas, providing advanced data storage and processing facilities to support the region’s burgeoning tech industry.
The first project – known as DFW04-01.01 – the company will develop a two-story. 267,000 sq ft (24,805 sqm) data center building offering 48MW. Construction is set to run from September 2024 to January 2026.
Prime is also planning a three-building campus in the Garland area of Dallas. All three are set to span 267,000 sq ft. The company aims to invest more than $450 million per building. Construction on each is set to start later this year for 2026 and 2027 completion dates.
The former RagingWire site launched in 2017 with one 230,000 sq ft (21,370 sqm) building. The 42-acre campus in Garland reportedly has space for up to five buildings, offering 1.5 million sq ft (139,350 sqm) of space, and a total of 80MW.
The projects reflect the ongoing demand for robust digital infrastructure in major metropolitan areas.
Meta Named as Company Behind 945-Acre Data Center Development in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been revealed as the entity behind the development of a massive 945-acre data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This significant project is part of Meta’s broader strategy to expand its data center footprint to support its growing suite of services.
The development is set to be located in the High Plains Business Park, which is owned by the Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development (LEADS). LEADS owns several other business parks in the area, including the 500-acre Bison Business Park where Microsoft opened a data center campus in 2021.
Wyoming offers tax breaks for data center operators, which is said to have been a deciding factor in Meta pursuing the Cheyenne project. Plans to repeal the incentives were voted down by state politicians in 2021. The new facility will enhance Meta’s capabilities in data processing and storage, contributing to the local economy by creating jobs and infrastructure.
Microsoft Breaks Ground on Second Data Center Campus in North Carolina
Microsoft has commenced construction on its second data center campus in North Carolina. This new facility is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to expand its data center infrastructure to support its cloud services and digital offerings.
“Microsoft is constructing the Lyle Creek data center starting March 2024,” the company said this week. “We anticipate that construction will continue for 18-24 months. The data center construction site is located in Conover on Highway 16, Catawba County, North Carolina.”
Conover is a city in Catawba County, some 40 miles north of Charlotte. According to the Conover City website, the site encompasses 220 acres. Known as Project Agate, the campus could span up to five buildings at full build-out. The campus will enhance Microsoft’s ability to deliver reliable and scalable cloud solutions, catering to the increasing demand for digital services.
Flexential Announces New Data Centre in Denver
Flexential has announced plans for a new data center in Denver. The facility will provide state-of-the-art data storage and processing services, catering to the growing demand for digital infrastructure in the region.
The site will further expands access to the FlexAnywhere Platform’s interconnection capabilities, including the recent introduction of Flexential Fabric, an advanced solution that simplifies virtual connections across Flexential’s network.
“This new Denver facility is a cornerstone of our strategy, aimed at boosting Denver’s tech sector with cutting-edge, scalable computing solutions. This project reflects our commitment to forward-looking, high-density, and sustainable computing infrastructures designed to support the evolving digital needs of enterprise businesses,” said Flexential’s CEO Chris Downie.
This new data center will enhance Flexential’s service offerings, providing customers with reliable and secure data solutions.
ESR to Develop 60MW Data Center in Central Tokyo
ESR, a leading logistics real estate platform, has announced plans to develop a 60MW data center in central Tokyo. This project marks ESR’s entry into the data center market, reflecting the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in Japan.
Stuart Gibson, ESR Group co-founder and co-CEO, said: “Data centers are a key growth engine for ESR and our Ariake development expands our portfolio across Japan and APAC. Japan is one of the largest and fastest growing data center markets in the world and our Ariake project will be transformational in terms of the amount of capacity it will bring to Central Tokyo.”
He added that the company has 1.5GW in the pipeline in cities including Hong Kong, Osaka, Seoul, Sydney, Mumbai, and Singapore. The new facility will offer advanced data services, supporting the growth of Tokyo’s digital economy.
AirTrunk Launches TOK2 Campus in Tokyo, Japan
AirTrunk has officially launched its TOK2 data center campus in Tokyo, Japan. The new campus is designed to provide high-capacity data storage and processing services, meeting the needs of businesses and digital services in the region.
AirTrunk said the initial phases of its West Tokyo campus “provides more than 60MW” of capacity for AirTrunk’s hyperscale anchor customers. Set on 4.6 hectares, the campus will offer a total of 110MW at full build-out. It is targeting a PUE of 1.15. The build-out is being financed by a green loan. “Today marks another major milestone for AirTrunk in Japan with the opening of our second data center in Tokyo,” said AirTrunk founder and CEO, Robin Khuda. “The opening of AirTrunk’s TOK2 data center provides our customers with a connected, secure, scalable, and sustainable home for data in west Tokyo.”
The launch of TOK2 underscores AirTrunk’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific data center market.
STT GDC Expands into Vietnam, Plans 60MW Facility in Ho Chi Minh City
STT Global Data Centres (STT GDC) has announced plans to expand into Vietnam with the development of a 60MW data center facility in Ho Chi Minh City.
“We are thrilled to partner with VNG in our venture to build and operate data centers in Vietnam. VNG’s deep local knowledge, carrier neutrality, extensive customer and partner network, and commitment to technological innovation perfectly align with STT GDC’s vision. Together, we bring a unique blend of global and local expertise to deliver a new international standard of data center solutions, supporting Vietnam’s digital transformation journey,” said Lionel Yeo, CEO Southeast Asia, STT GDC. “Vietnam is at the cusp of significant growth in the data center market, and we firmly believe that the combined strengths of both partners will enable us to serve the local market with agility and pace.”
This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for digital services and data infrastructure in Vietnam, providing advanced data solutions to businesses and organizations in the region.
PowerHouse Expands into Texas, Plans 200MW Campus in Dallas
PowerHouse Data Centers has unveiled plans to develop a 200MW data center campus in Dallas, Texas. This substantial investment reflects PowerHouse’s commitment to expanding its data center footprint to meet the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the United States.
The site has immediate access to permanent power from an existing adjacent substation, serviced by energy firm Oncor.
“Irving-Las Colinas has developed into a hugely important connectivity hub with major financial influence, and is an integral part of the Dallas market which has the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation and the 20th largest economy in the world,” said PowerHouse CEO and founder Doug Fleit.
The new campus will provide high-capacity data storage and processing services, supporting the growth of the digital economy in Texas.