Data Center Investment News — 27/03/2026

March 27, 2026

Written by Angela Cáceres, Ensar Aljimi

Zayo Europe to power UK’s largest AI data centre

Zayo Europe has been selected to provide connectivity infrastructure for QTS’ large-scale AI and cloud data center campus in Cambois, Northumberland. The site will connect to Zayo’s fibre network across major UK cities including London, Manchester, Newcastle, and Edinburgh, while also enabling high-speed links to Europe and the US. The project is expected to support regional development, including the creation of a potential £110 million fund for local jobs and infrastructure.

“The QTS data centre, designated as an AI Growth Zone, is a landmark project for the UK, and Zayo Europe is proud to deliver the high-capacity, resilient connectivity that makes it possible,” said CEO Colman Deegan. He also emphasized the importance of expanding infrastructure beyond London to reduce pressure on the grid and support innovation, positioning the UK as a global leader in AI.

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Aligned secures $2.58bn credit facility to fund US data center build-out

Aligned Data Centers has secured a $2.58 billion credit facility to support the expansion of its US data center portfolio, backed by institutional investors and secured against six assets. The three-year facility, with extension options, is expected to scale further as the company accelerates development across key markets including Texas, Virginia, and Arizona.

“This innovative devco facility unlocks substantial additional borrowing capacity, serving as a powerful catalyst to drive Aligned’s continued growth,” said CFO Meghan Baivier. The company emphasized that the financing structure provides greater flexibility to meet rising demand for AI and cloud infrastructure as it continues to expand both in the US and internationally.

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Blackstone close to acquiring data center firm Rowan – report

Blackstone is reportedly close to acquiring data center firm Rowan Digital Infrastructure in a deal that could value the company at around $10 billion, including debt. Discussions are still ongoing, and no final agreement has been confirmed, but the move would further strengthen Blackstone’s growing position in AI and data center infrastructure.

Rowan, founded in 2021, is developing projects across the US, including sites in Texas, Maryland, and Oregon, and has attracted interest from multiple investors. The potential acquisition aligns with Blackstone’s aggressive expansion strategy in the sector, following major deals such as the $10 billion acquisition of QTS, as it continues to scale its footprint in high-demand AI infrastructure markets.

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Colliers: Data center investment tops $580 billion, beating oil investment for the first time

Global data center investment surpassed $580 billion in 2025, marking a 27% increase year-over-year and the first time spending has exceeded investment in new oil supply. According to Colliers, the surge is largely driven by AI, with $445 billion coming from tech companies, signaling a major shift toward data centers as one of the world’s most capital-intensive infrastructure sectors.

However, rising investment is bringing growing risks. “Capital is being deployed through opaque, illiquid structures with limited regulatory oversight,” the report warned, highlighting concerns around private credit exposure, power shortages, and delayed projects. With forecasts pointing to up to $3 trillion in investment by 2030, the industry now faces a critical challenge: scaling fast enough while managing financial and infrastructure constraints.

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CyrusOne breaks ground on first Italian data center outside Milan

CyrusOne has broken ground on its first data center in Italy with the MIL1 facility in Milan, marking a key step in its European expansion. The site will deliver 27MW of IT capacity, with operations expected to begin by Q3 2027, and forms part of a larger campus that will also include a second 54MW building.

“Milan is an increasingly important digital infrastructure market for Southern Europe, and this development marks a key milestone in our European growth strategy,” said Andreas Paduch. Local officials also highlighted the project’s impact, with Mayor Paolo Micheli stating it will “strengthen our city’s role as a leading hub for innovation and digital infrastructure,” while regenerating a long-abandoned industrial site.

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Property developer Drox looking to build 129-acre data center near Greensboro, North Carolina

Property developer Drox Group is proposing a 129-acre data center campus near Greensboro, North Carolina, with plans for four buildings totaling 1.3 million sq ft. The project is currently under review, with a planning board decision expected in April, followed by a final vote from county commissioners.

The proposal has already sparked strong local opposition, with concerns over noise, light pollution, land use, and rising utility costs, and more than 2,100 signatures gathered against it. The case highlights a recurring tension in data center expansion, where rapid infrastructure growth is increasingly clashing with community resistance.

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Approval given to $20bn data center near Chicago, Illinois

A $20 billion data center campus in Joliet, Illinois, has been approved, allowing the 795-acre ‘Joliet Technology Center’ to move forward. The project will include 24 buildings and up to 1.8GW of capacity, developed in phases with supporting substations, positioning it as one of the largest data center developments in the region.

The decision has generated both support and opposition, with unions backing job creation while some residents raise concerns about costs and local impact. According to the developer, the campus “will generate around $2.1bn in local tax revenue,” highlighting its potential economic impact despite ongoing community debate.

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Elon Musk announces TeraFab: $20bn factory will make chips for SpaceX orbital data centers and Tesla vehicles

Elon Musk has announced plans to build a $20 billion semiconductor facility called TeraFab in Austin, Texas, aimed at producing chips for SpaceX’s orbital data centers, Tesla vehicles, and humanoid robots. The plant will be a joint venture between Tesla and SpaceX, designed to address growing internal demand for AI compute and reduce reliance on external chip suppliers.

Describing the initiative as “the most epic chip-building exercise in history by far,” Musk said the move is essential to support future compute needs across both terrestrial and space-based operations. The factory is expected to produce both edge inference chips and advanced semiconductors designed for space environments, though no timeline has been confirmed and the project faces skepticism given Musk’s lack of experience in chip manufacturing.

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SoftBank eyes 10GW data center at former DOE nuclear enrichment site in Ohio

SoftBank is planning a massive 10GW data center campus in Ohio, redeveloping a former Department of Energy nuclear site through a public-private partnership with AEP Ohio. To support the project, SB Energy aims to deploy 10GW of new power generation—primarily 9.2GW from natural gas—while total investment in the data center could reach $30–40 billion. Construction is expected to begin this year, with additional funding allocated to transmission infrastructure upgrades.

“AI will transform every industry, and the PORTS Technology Campus will help deliver the next-generation infrastructure needed to unlock those breakthroughs,” said Masayoshi Son. US officials also emphasized the strategic importance of the project, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright stating the initiative will “add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race.”

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432MW data center campus eyed in Virginia’s Data Center Alley

A potential 432MW data center campus is being explored in Ashburn, Virginia, as the Regency residential community considers selling its 130-acre site to a developer. Plans suggest up to six buildings, each with 72MW capacity, though no formal application has been submitted yet and power delivery is expected in the mid-2030s.

The deal could reach around $576 million, with residents reportedly offered about $4.4 million per acre. While a major hyperscaler is expected to lease the site, both the end user and developer remain undisclosed, and local authorities confirmed that no official redevelopment proposal has been filed so far.

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Alibaba ships 470,000 AI chips, predicts $100bn in cloud and AI revenue in the future

Alibaba Cloud is targeting $100 billion in combined cloud and AI revenue within five years, as CEO Eddie Wu highlighted strong growth across its AI business, including a 35% YoY increase in its Cloud Intelligence Group and the shipment of 470,000 AI chips. The company also reported sustained triple-digit growth in AI-related revenue and emphasized the role of its T-Head chips in strengthening supply chain resilience, despite acknowledging they still lag behind foreign competitors.

Wu expressed confidence in reaching the ambitious target, stating he “certainly believes” the company will achieve it given current market growth and its product roadmap. However, investor sentiment remains cautious, with Alibaba’s shares dropping sharply after the earnings call, reflecting concerns over performance gaps, rising costs, and uncertainty around long-term execution.

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