Data Center Investment News — 27/09/2024
Blackstone Confirms It Will Spend $10bn on AI Data Center in Blyth, UK
Blackstone has confirmed a $10 billion investment to build an AI-focused data center in Blyth, UK. This significant project highlights Blackstone’s growing interest in AI infrastructure.
Jon Gray, president and chief operating officer of Blackstone, said: “The UK is a top investment market for Blackstone because of its powerful combination of talent and innovation along with a highly transparent legal system. We are making significant commitments to building social housing, facilitating the energy transition, growing life sciences companies, and developing critical infrastructure needed to fuel the digital economy. This includes a projected £10 billion investment to build one of Europe’s largest hyperscale data centers supporting 4,000 jobs. Blackstone is committed to Britain.”
The facility will be designed to support advanced AI technologies and provide critical infrastructure for the global digital economy. The site in Blyth offers a strategic location due to its energy capacity, and the development is expected to create jobs and boost the local economy.
Lian Group Launches Data Center Platform, Announces Two Facilities in Norway
Lian Group has launched a new data center platform and announced plans to build two facilities in Norway. The facilities will be situated in prime locations with access to sustainable energy sources, supporting the group’s green initiatives.
Polar is led by CEO Andy Hayes, who was previously CTO at hyperscale developer Yondr.
“Polar is accelerating infrastructure by developing a unique, technology-led, data center platform that can meet the growing, diverse needs of our global customers,” Hayes said.
Hayes was at Yondr from 2019 until 2022, before that, he was at UK construction firm ISG and Keysource.
This move marks Lian Group’s entry into the rapidly growing data center market, with a focus on sustainability and scalability. The Norway-based facilities will cater to the increasing demand for data processing and storage in Europe.
Raxio Launches Data Center in the Ivory Coast
Raxio has officially launched a data center in the Ivory Coast, marking its continued expansion into Africa. This facility will be a critical piece of infrastructure for the region, providing local businesses and international companies with access to modern data services.
“The inauguration of our Abidjan data center established us firmly in West Africa, a key growth sector for our continued expansion,” said Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group.
“Abidjan is the ideal location for organizations and businesses from across the economic region to collocate their mission-critical infrastructure in a highly reliable and secure facility. We are proud to contribute a fundamental cornerstone to facilitate Côte d’Ivoire’s continued digital growth and cement its hub in the region.”
The center is designed to meet the growing digital demand in West Africa and is part of Raxio’s strategy to support the continent’s digital transformation.
Ooredoo Secures $552m Financing for Data Center Expansion
Ooredoo has secured $552 million in financing to expand its data center operations. This financial boost will enable the company to scale its existing facilities and explore new opportunities in the digital economy.
“This financing deal marks a major milestone in our strategic vision for expanding our data center and AI business, and we are excited to meet the region’s increasing demand while upholding our commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure,” said Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, group CEO, Ooredoo. “I would like to thank QNB, Doha Bank, and Masraf Al Rayan for their invaluable support in this landmark transaction and their dedication to accelerating the growth of digital infrastructure both in Qatar and across the region.”
Ooredoo’s expansion aims to support the growing demand for cloud services, data storage, and digital transformation across various regions. The funding aligns with Ooredoo’s broader strategy of expanding its global digital infrastructure footprint.
AGP Data Centres Appoints Ex-AWS Head as New Global Chief Technology Officer
AGP Data Centres has appointed a former AWS executive as its new Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This strategic hire aims to leverage the expertise of an experienced leader in cloud and data services to strengthen AGP’s global technology strategy.
The company aims to deliver sustainable solutions through efficient design, delivery and supply chain management.
Commenting on his appointment, Boudreau said: “I am thrilled to announce I am starting a new position as Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at AGP Data Centers, as part of AGP Sustainable Real Assets!”
In his new role, Boudreau will collaborate with AGP’s AMPYR Energy team to develop integrated on-site primary and backup energy solutions.
The new CTO will focus on expanding AGP’s data center offerings, driving innovation, and enhancing customer solutions across the company’s operations.
Scala Data Centers Secures $500m in Financing from Two Investment Firms
Scala Data Centers has secured $500 million in financing from two major investment firms. The funds will be used to expand Scala’s data center operations across Latin America.
“Scala Data Centers has emerged as a regional leader in hyperscale data centres and is at the forefront of the digital revolution in Latin America,” said Malachi Price, partner at Coatue.
“Our investment reflects our belief in Scala’s ability to capture the AI opportunity and drive further digitization in the region. We are excited to support Scala’s mission to provide cutting-edge, sustainable data centre solutions,” said Robert Yin, Partner at Coatue.
This financing highlights Scala’s strong growth trajectory and the increasing demand for data infrastructure in the region. The investment will help Scala enhance its data center capabilities, supporting both local and international clients with advanced digital solutions.
Equinix Opens New Mediterranean Data Centre
Equinix has opened a new data center in the Mediterranean region, continuing its global expansion. This facility will serve as a key digital hub for the area, providing connectivity and data solutions for businesses across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Eulalia Flo, Managing Director of Equinix Spain, said: “The investment of 52 million euros made by Equinix not only strengthens our technological capabilities, the digital infrastructure of the area, but also positions Catalonia and Spain as a nerve centre for data exchange in the world. This new data centre is much more than an internal landmark; it is a key piece in consolidating our country as a leading digital hub in Southern Europe. With this facility, we not only drive innovation and efficiency in our services, but also open the door to new opportunities for technological development, job creation, and economic growth. We are convinced that this is another step on the road to positioning Spain as a leader in the digital world, attracting investment and talent, and laying the foundations for a more connected and competitive future. And we are proud to be part of it.”
The new center is designed to support the growing demand for cloud services and data exchange in the region, with a focus on high-speed connectivity and reliability.
Cipher Mining Acquires 300MW West Texas Site for $67.5m
Cipher Mining has acquired a 300MW site in West Texas for $67.5 million. This purchase is part of Cipher’s strategy to expand its cryptocurrency mining operations, taking advantage of Texas’s abundant energy resources.
Tyler Page, CEO of Cipher, said: “The Barber Lake site is immediately available with an existing high-quality substation and all the essential characteristics necessary to develop a large-scale HPC data centre. Large sites with these characteristics are extremely rare, and we have already received interest from multiple hyperscalers. The company funded the majority of the purchase by selling a portion of its bitcoin treasury. Page explained this decision, saying: “We believe we have exchanged one rare and valuable asset for an even more rare and more valuable asset – an immediately available, large-scale, interconnected site with plenty of land.”
The site will be used to build a large-scale mining facility, supporting the growing demand for Bitcoin and other digital currencies. The acquisition reflects Cipher’s commitment to scaling its operations in the U.S.