Mara acquires 505MW gas plant in Ohio, intends to construct 200MW data center at site
Mara Holdings has signed a deal to acquire a 505MW gas power plant in Hannibal, Ohio, for approximately $1.5 billion, including 1,600 acres of land. The company intends to construct an initial 200MW data center at the site, with construction starting in early 2027 and service beginning in mid-2028. This move targets AI and HPC development, utilizing the site’s ability to support over 1GW of total potential power capacity without reducing the current energy supply to the grid.
The acquisition is a pivotal move for the company’s digital infrastructure strategy. CEO Fred Thiel stated, “Power is the scarce input in AI and, with the planned addition of Long Ridge Energy, we are gaining control of a highly efficient, contracted energy platform.” He added that by integrating these assets, “we are building a differentiated platform designed to maximize the value of every megawatt we control.”
PDG acquires land in Jakarta, Indonesia, for 240MW data center campus
Princeton Digital Group (PDG) has acquired a new site in the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) in Bekasi Regency, Greater Jakarta, for its JC4 campus. This development will span 106,215 sqm and feature four 60MW buildings, totaling 240MW of capacity with secured power allocation. Construction has already commenced on the campus, which is designed to support cloud and AI workloads as part of PDG’s expanding 1.8GW regional portfolio.
The project reinforces Indonesia’s position as a critical hub for digital infrastructure. Rangu Salgame, chairman, CEO and co-founder of PDG, stated, “Indonesia continues to be a key market for digital infrastructure in the region, and JC4 builds on our established portfolio to deliver reliable, scalable capacity that supports cloud and AI workloads.” Frederic Daniel van Husen, general manager of Indonesia at PDG, added, “The JC4 campus reflects our long-term commitment to Indonesia and our role in supporting the country’s digital growth.
Data center in Columbus, Ohio, sold to occupier
Real estate firm Five 9s Digital has successfully sold a 6MW single-tenant data center in Columbus, Ohio, to its long-term tenant. Originally developed in 2016 as a build-to-suit facility, the tenant exercised its option to acquire the asset, with the transaction officially closing in March 2026. While specific terms of the deal were not shared, the facility is located at 5700 Innovation Drive in Dublin, Ohio, and is currently occupied by colocation firm Expedient.
The sale marks a significant transition for the 29,210 sq ft facility, which has been part of Expedient’s regional operations for nearly a decade. Regarding the transaction, the company stated, “Five 9s Digital announced the successful sale of a 6MW single-tenant data center in Columbus, Ohio, to its long-term tenant.” This acquisition allows the occupier to take full control of the site, which remains a key piece of infrastructure in the wider Columbus area.
Google breaks ground on $15bn data center project in India
Visakhapatnam, India, marking the start of a gigawatt-scale “AI hub” comprising three campuses. The project is a collaborative effort involving AdaniConneX and Nxtra by Airtel, which will lead the construction across more than 600 acres of land. Scheduled for commissioning by July 2028, the development will include three high-capacity submarine cables and dedicated landing stations to bolster the region’s digital infrastructure.
The initiative is positioned as a transformative step for the country’s technological landscape and economic growth. Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, stated, “Today’s groundbreaking is a powerful realization of our shared vision with the Indian government, and an inflection point for the country’s AI-native future.” Highlighting the local impact, Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu remarked, “Google’s AI hub in Visakhapatnam will be a cornerstone of our growing tech corridor, driving innovation, creating high-value opportunities for our youth, and strengthening our position in the global digital economy.
Edged tops out 42MW data center in Atlanta, Georgia
Edged has officially topped out its latest data center, ATL01-3, located on its 80-acre campus in Atlanta, Georgia. This single-story facility is designed to offer 42MW of capacity and features waterless cooling technology capable of supporting high-density loads, including 400kW+ per rack with liquid cooling. Located at 1740 Thomas Street NW, the building is expected to be operational in early 2027, marking a significant milestone for the 169MW campus where all three data centers are already fully leased.
The development highlights Edged’s commitment to advanced, sustainable infrastructure in major tech hubs. The company noted that the facility is “Equipped with waterless cooling technology from sister company ThermalWorks,” which allows it to handle intensive AI and compute workloads. Furthermore, the firm confirmed that “All three data centers on the 169MW campus are fully leased,” underscoring the high demand for specialized data center space in the Atlanta market.
Digital Realty signs largest ever lease for new data centre in Charlotte
Digital Realty has signed its largest-ever single lease to deliver a 200MW “AI inference-oriented” data centre in Charlotte, North Carolina, for an AA-rated hyperscaler. This project marks the company’s first hyperscale development in the market and is a key part of its hub-and-spoke expansion strategy. The new campus will complement the existing connectivity-focused CLT10 site in Uptown, contributing to a record-breaking leasing quarter for the company’s Americas division.
The deal highlights the massive scale of Digital Realty’s current pipeline, which includes 1.2GW of capacity under construction. CEO Andrew Power noted that the deal validated the company’s “hub-and-spoke expansion strategy” in the region. He further emphasized the significance of the location, stating that “the Dallas and Chicago markets were eclipsed by both Charlotte and Atlanta” in terms of recent development priority.
SK Group signs Vietnam deals for AI data centres, energy infrastructure
South Korean conglomerate SK Group has signed agreements with Vietnam to develop a core AI ecosystem and digital infrastructure, centered in the Nghe An province. This partnership involves SK Telecom and SK Innovation exploring the construction of AI data centres and stable energy solutions, including the Quynh Lap liquefied natural gas (LNG) power project. The initiative marks the first overseas expansion of SK’s “AI full-stack” model, which integrates power generation, semiconductors, and AI services into a single platform to support Vietnam’s growing digital economy.
The project is designed to link energy infrastructure directly with high-density computing needs. Choo Hyeong-wook, President & CEO of SK Innovation, stated, “Drawing on SK Group’s experience in operating large-scale power generation and diverse energy solution businesses, we will ensure the successful development of the local power infrastructure.” Highlighting the strategic importance of the site, the group noted that the model serves as a “Specialized Energy-Industry Cluster,” where the LNG plant provides the foundation for data centers and utilizes “cold energy” from the LNG process to cool servers more efficiently.
Lebanon’s gov’t plans to transform warehouse into National Data Center
The Lebanese government has begun clearing a warehouse in Dekwaneh, north of Beirut, to transform the site into a National Data Center. Telecommunications Minister Charles Hajj recently reviewed progress on the facility, which aims to merge and relocate the existing Karantina and Sawwar data centers into a single, efficient location. This initiative is a central pillar of the Ministry of Telecommunications’ policy to utilize state-owned properties, reducing reliance on leased space while accelerating the country’s digital transformation.
This project follows a strategic benchmarking exercise conducted by the American University of Beirut (AUB) to determine the most suitable data center model and investment priorities for the nation. Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, managing director of AUB’s Government Engagement Platform, stated, “This reflects a shared conviction that while crises may persist, they should not delay our preparedness for what comes next.” He further noted that the work “contributes to laying the foundations needed to position Lebanon on the digital and AI landscape.
Microsoft to invest $18 billion in Australia’s AI and cloud infrastructure
Microsoft has announced its largest-ever investment in Australia, committing A$25 billion (US$18 billion) by the end of 2029 to expand its Azure AI and cloud infrastructure. Revealed by CEO Satya Nadella and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the plan focuses on scaling digital infrastructure, strengthening national cybersecurity through the Microsoft-Australian Signals Directorate Cyber Shield, and training three million Australians in AI skills. This initiative aligns with Australia’s National AI Plan to capture economic opportunities while mitigating risks associated with transformative technology.
The investment is seen as a major catalyst for the country’s digital and national resilience. Prime Minister Albanese noted, “Our National AI Plan is all about capturing the economic opportunities of this transformative technology while protecting Australians from the risks.” Emphasizing the potential for the region, Satya Nadella stated, “Australia has an enormous opportunity to translate AI into real economic growth and societal benefit.
