Data Center Investment News — 29/11/2024
Oppidan Breaks Ground on Chicago Data Center
Oppidan Investment Company has commenced construction on a state-of-the-art data center facility in Elk Grove Village, Chicago. The $1 billion project, developed in collaboration with T5 Data Centers, will deliver 90MW of capacity to hyperscale and enterprise clients. Situated on a 36-acre site in one of North America’s most active data center hubs, the project benefits from proximity to O’Hare International Airport, extensive fiber networks, and reliable power infrastructure.
Located at 245 Kehoe Boulevard, the site previously housed the Henkel adhesives company. The Henkel building was demolished in 2022, and the site is currently being prepared for a 90,000 sq ft (8,360 sqm) data center.
The design emphasizes scalability, energy efficiency, and resilience, including advanced cooling technologies and redundant power systems. The facility will feature customizable suites tailored to client needs, further attracting hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprises. Construction is expected to complete by 2025. The project underscores Chicago’s growing importance as a data center market, supported by favorable tax policies and strategic connectivity.
New UK Operator LATOS Plans 90MW Data Center in Cardiff, Wales
LATOS, a new entrant to the UK data center market, has unveiled plans for a 90MW data center in Cardiff, Wales. The facility will be located in St. Mellons Business Park on a sprawling 200-acre campus, strategically positioned to support hyperscalers, financial services, AI workloads, and large-scale cloud providers.
LATOS emphasizes sustainability, aiming to power the facility with renewable energy while incorporating cutting-edge technologies for energy efficiency.The project aligns with Wales’ growing emphasis on digital infrastructure as a driver of economic development. This marks LATOS’ debut in the market, with ambitions to establish itself as a major player in the UK’s data center landscape. Construction will involve phases to meet increasing demand, with operations expected to begin within the next few years.
US Bank BNY Mellon Sells Pennsylvania Site to Chirisa for 100MW Data Center
BNY Mellon has sold a prominent property in Pennsylvania to global data center operator Chirisa for redevelopment into a 100MW colocation and hyperscale facility. Located in Pittsburgh, the 500,000-square-foot site provides strategic advantages due to its robust infrastructure, connectivity options, and proximity to key East Coast markets. Chirisa intends to upgrade the site to meet modern data center standards, incorporating advanced cooling and power systems while leveraging Pennsylvania’s competitive energy costs.
“CTP is focused on rapid delivery of large-scale high-density HPC/AI capacity for hyperscale customers,” the company said. “The campus is well located between our existing campuses in Virginia and Illinois with abundant power and connectivity.”
This acquisition fits Chirisa’s broader strategy of expanding its North American footprint with a focus on high-demand markets. The project is expected to cater to hyperscalers and enterprise clients, emphasizing flexibility, scalability, and sustainability.
Microsoft to Build Two Data Centers Outside Cologne
Microsoft has announced plans to expand its European data center network with the construction of two cutting-edge facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, near Cologne. These data centers are part of Microsoft’s commitment to supporting European customers with enhanced Azure cloud services and meeting growing demand for cloud computing and AI solutions.
The company is to build two data centers; one on a 20-hectare site at the INKA: terra nova industrial park in Bergheim and another on an 18-hectare site at the new BEB61 industrial estate in Bedburg.
The facilities will prioritize sustainability, utilizing renewable energy sources and innovative cooling technologies. Microsoft aims to adhere to stringent EU data protection laws, ensuring secure and compliant operations for its clients. These data centers will bolster the region’s digital economy while addressing Europe’s increasing need for robust cloud infrastructure.
Construction Begins on $100M Koscom Data Center in Anyang-si, South Korea
Koscom, a leading South Korean financial IT solutions company, has started the construction of its $100 million data center in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Designed to cater specifically to financial institutions, the 99,000-square-meter facility will feature cutting-edge technology for data security, scalability, and energy efficiency.
Yoon Chang-hyun, CEO of Koscom, said: “Koscom, which has led the Korean capital market IT for 47 years since its establishment in 1977, is embarking on a new challenge in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The new Anyang Data Center will go beyond simple facility expansion and establish itself as a cutting-edge financial data center representing the metropolitan area, further enhancing the competitiveness of the Korean capital market.”
With completion expected by 2026, the center aims to host mission-critical applications for Korea’s financial sector. Koscom plans to incorporate sustainable practices, leveraging energy-efficient cooling and renewable energy solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. This project reinforces South Korea’s strategic position in Asia’s expanding financial technology and data management industry.
Former BP CEO Bernard Looney Joins Prometheus Hyperscale as Chairman
Bernard Looney, former CEO of BP, has taken on the role of chairman at Prometheus Hyperscale, a startup focusing on sustainable hyperscale data center development. Known for his leadership in energy transition, Looney brings extensive expertise in large-scale energy projects and sustainability.
“The opportunity to address these challenges is why I’ve joined Prometheus Hyperscale as chairman,” he said. “I can’t think of a more exciting challenge. How do we deliver net positive AI. How do we unleash AI to propel the world forward.
Prometheus aims to revolutionize the data center industry by integrating renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies into its hyperscale operations. Looney’s appointment is expected to accelerate Prometheus’ growth and drive innovation in this competitive sector. The company’s focus aligns with the broader push for greener data center solutions, positioning it to attract environmentally conscious clients.
Crusoe Energy to Raise $818 Million
Crusoe Energy Systems, a company specializing in converting flared gas into energy for computing, is set to raise $818 million in funding. This capital will enable the expansion of its operations, including building sustainable data centers powered by previously wasted gas.
The company reportedly sought to raise around $500m in late October, in a round led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund that would value the company at around $3bn. With the raise now increased to $818m, it’s not known if the valuation has also increased.
Crusoe launched in 2018 as a cryptomining business that deployed containerized data centers to oil wells to harness natural gas that would otherwise be “flared off” and wasted.
Crusoe’s innovative approach addresses two critical challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions from flared gas and meeting the increasing energy demands of the data center industry. The company plans to use the funds to scale its technology and establish a broader network of environmentally sustainable data centers, solidifying its position as a leader in energy-efficient computing infrastructure.
Wingu Opens CLS and Data Centre Park in Djibouti
Wingu, a regional leader in connectivity and data services, has officially launched a state-of-the-art Cable Landing Station (CLS) and data center park in Djibouti. This strategic facility will serve as a vital interconnection hub for Africa, Europe, and Asia. Located in one of the busiest submarine cable corridors, the park is designed to support high-speed, low-latency data transfer, making Djibouti a critical gateway for international connectivity.
Wingu Group, which has been operating in Djibouti since 2012, says the cable landing station strengthens Djibouti’s strategic position, connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and enhancesi ts role as a global telecommunications hub
The facility offers colocation services and integrates advanced cooling systems and renewable energy sources, reflecting Wingu’s commitment to sustainability. By bolstering the region’s digital infrastructure, Wingu aims to accelerate economic development and technological growth across East Africa and beyond.
Equinix Secures Prime Mumbai Real Estate for Third Data Center
Global colocation giant Equinix has acquired a prime real estate plot in Mumbai to establish its third data center in India. Located in one of the country’s most connected cities, the new facility will expand Equinix’s presence in the fast-growing Indian market.
Mumbai’s prominence in India’s data centre landscape is underscored by recent industry reports including Savills India which has noted a 21% increase in total data centre stock across the country in the first half of 2024, with Mumbai commanding a 54.9% share of the total capacity. Chennai, Bengaluru, and Pune followed with 12.3%, 8.2%, and 7.2% respectively.
The data center is designed to cater to hyperscalers, financial institutions, and enterprises, offering enhanced connectivity and interconnection services. With a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, Equinix plans to leverage renewable energy sources to power the facility. The expansion highlights India’s strategic importance as a digital and economic hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
BSO Launches DataOne, a 400MW AI Data Centre
BSO, a global infrastructure and connectivity provider, has announced the launch of DataOne, a groundbreaking 400MW data center dedicated to AI workloads. The facility is designed to meet the immense computational demands of AI and machine learning applications, offering high-density racks and ultra-low latency connections.
The facility is designed to support power densities of 60 to 250KW per rack by using direct liquid cooling and OBS says it will achieve a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.06–1.15. This surpasses European regulatory requirements outlined in the Energy Efficiency Directive, which targets a PUE of 1.2 for new sites.
Located in a strategic area with access to abundant renewable energy, DataOne aligns with industry efforts to create sustainable data infrastructure. The project represents a significant leap in the development of AI-specific data centers, catering to the needs of hyperscalers, research institutions, and enterprises adopting AI at scale.
Data4 Breaks Ground on €330M Greek Data Centre Campus
European data center operator Data4 has begun construction on a €330 million data center campus in Greece. Situated near Athens, the facility will feature multiple data halls with a total capacity of 40MW. The campus is designed to support hyperscale and colocation clients, emphasizing sustainability through the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Micheli emphasised the critical role of data centres in the digital landscape: “As data centres are the safebox of data management for companies and public administration, they support the development of cloud and AI services and are essential for the functioning of efficient and sustainable digital uses for the Greek citizens.”
This investment marks Data4’s entry into the Greek market, leveraging the country’s strategic location as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The project is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing Greece’s digital infrastructure and connectivity.
TECfusions Secures $300M for Clarksville Data Centre Development
TECfusions has raised $300 million in funding to develop a cutting-edge data center in Clarksville, Tennessee. The project aims to provide 50MW of scalable capacity, catering to hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise clients.
“Funding from our dedicated investor will enable TECfusions to accelerate the buildout of our Clarksville site with scalable capacity,” said Simon Tusha, founder and CTO of TECfusions.
“Our Clarksville data centre hosts one of the largest GPU clusters in the world, and we are proud to accelerate deployments for tenant commitments that sit at the forefront of AI-ready infrastructure.”
Designed with sustainability in mind, the facility will incorporate renewable energy sources and advanced cooling technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Clarksville’s competitive energy costs and connectivity make it an attractive location for data center operators. This investment reflects growing demand for high-performance computing infrastructure in the southeastern United States.
Radius Global Infrastructure Appoints New CFO
Radius Global Infrastructure, a leader in telecommunications infrastructure, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The move comes as the company seeks to expand its portfolio of wireless communication sites and digital infrastructure assets globally.
Commenting on his appointment, Bruce said: “Ben has proven leadership and expertise in all facets of finance and corporate management and brings a wealth of financial, transactional and operational experience with many forms of digital infrastructure, which will be invaluable to Radius. We are pleased to welcome him to the team and look forward to his contributions as a key member of our senior leadership group.”
The new CFO will oversee Radius’ financial strategy, focusing on investments in data centers, fiber networks, and cell towers. This leadership change signals the company’s commitment to driving growth and capitalizing on the increasing demand for connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Blackstone Pours $500M into Texas AI Data Centres
Private equity giant Blackstone has committed $500 million to develop AI-focused data centers in Texas. The investment will fund the construction of multiple facilities optimized for high-performance computing, targeting enterprises and hyperscalers deploying AI at scale.
Lancium’s first campus in Abilene is scheduled to become operational next year. The development is being spearheaded by a US$3.4 billion joint venture formed last month, involving Blue Owl Capital, Crusoe Energy Systems, and Primary Digital Infrastructure.
These data centers will feature high-density infrastructure, advanced cooling solutions, and access to renewable energy sources. Blackstone’s move highlights the rising demand for specialized data center solutions to support AI and machine learning workloads. Texas’ favorable business environment and robust power infrastructure make it a strategic choice for this ambitious project.
QTS Sells $48.4M New Albany Property, Boosting Ohio’s Data Center Hub Status
QTS has acquired a 161.26-acre property in New Albany, Ohio, for $48,378,000, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a premier destination for data center development. The transaction was facilitated by Robert Griffin and Michael Morris of Newmark, who represented the seller in this significant deal.
New Albany, part of the Columbus data center corridor, continues to attract investment due to its robust infrastructure, proximity to major fiber routes, and competitive energy costs. With favorable tax incentives and a growing focus on sustainability, the region is well-positioned to support large-scale hyperscale and colocation facilities.
This acquisition underscores the strategic importance of Ohio’s Midwest location in meeting the increasing demand for digital infrastructure and highlights New Albany as a key player in the U.S. data center landscape.