Apac data centre capacity to double by 2030, AI boom creating ‘generational shift’ in power demand: JLL
Against this backdrop, hyperscalers have disclosed US$ 200 billion ($ 253 billion) in infrastructure spending for 2026, up 51% from 2025. Nevertheless, despite the record capital expenditure, interconnection queues for brand-new eco-friendly projects now include four years or more in some regions, with particular areas required to pause new connections totally, according to JLL.
Data facility capability in Asia Pacific (Apac) is projected to nearly two times by 2020, as AI-fuelled development turns around a decades-long trend of steady or decreasing electricity need, according to research study by JLL.
At the same time, grid accessibility challenges are motivating industry gamers to come to be direct participants in the electricity market, with some technology companies choosing to outright purchase operating renewable assets to ensure power supply, according to JLL.
Amidst a decentralised influx of new renewable energy resources, presenting transmission framework– initially developed for big, centralised power plant– has struggled to adapt, leading to substantial grid blockage around the world.
Data compiled by the realty consultancy shows that Apac information center capacity will hop from 32 gigawatts (GW) to 57 GW by 2030. Globally, data center capacity is expected to hit 200GW already, driven mainly by hyperscale cloud growth and AI demand.
As a result, grid access is increasingly driving decision-making for developers, data centre operators, energy firms, and tech firms. “For any energy developer, without a grid connection, you don’t have a project,” Jack revealed. “For capitalists, this grid blockage converts straight into threat, however it likewise develops a shortage premium for possessions that supply or obtain grid accessibility.”
All the same, safeguarding power supply is now top of mind for information centre investors in Apac, claimed James Cameron, JLL’s head of energy and facilities for the region. “In liberalised industry in Apac, like Australia, India, Japan and the Philippines, position and area of grid connection is the first concern for capitalists and has the biggest assessment effect for development assets.”
That shift has actually emphatically improved the information centre landscape, with grid facilities now becoming the primary restraint. “Power need is climbing faster than grids were constructed to handle,” commented Matt Eastwick, JLL’s US group head and senior managing supervisor for energy and facilities.
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The restraints are developing new chances in similar industry. One such chance hinges on battery energy storage systems (BESS), which JLL posits will play a significantly essential role in managing minimal grid access and renewable resource intermittency. “They act as shock absorbers for constrained grids, charging when power is low-priced and plenty, after that releasing when demand and cost are high,” claimed Eastwick.
While data facility build-out still outpaces grid planning in a number of Apac markets, Cameron expects regional dynamics and grid access challenges to drive brand-new collaboration designs. “While the solution is going to differ depending on scenarios, it is clear we will see much more collaboration chances and innovative solutions in between information centre and energy customers across the region.”
The AI and information centre growth has actually led to a “generational shift in power need”, said Steven Jack, the firm’s head of energy and infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in a Sept 8 release. “Utilities that were predicting small expansion are currently grappling with figures nearly multiply their previous quotes.”
