Global data centres need $3 trillion investment by 2030 as AI reshapes tech infrastructure

The global data centre sector requires up to $3 trillion (£2.2 trillion) in investment over the next five years to meet explosive demand, with capacity expected to double from 103 GW to 200 GW by 2030, according to JLL's 2026 Global Data Centre Outlook report. Artificial intelligence is driving this infrastructure supercycle, with AI workloads projected to represent 50% of all data centre capacity by 2030, up from 25% in 2025. Hyperscalers have allocated $1 trillion (£739 billion) for data centre spending between 2024 and 2026 alone, but face four-year grid connection delays that are fundamentally reshaping development strategies. The investment breakdown includes $1.2 trillion in real estate asset value creation and approximately $870 billion in new debt financing. AI training facilities now demand 10x the power density and command 60% lease rate premiums over traditional data centres. AI chips are projected to capture 50% of semiconductor market revenue by 2030, while custom silicon developed by hyperscalers will claim 15% market share. The Americas currently represent 50% of global capacity with the U.S. accounting for 90% of regional activity, while APAC is projected to grow from 32 GW to 57 GW. This rapid expansion raises critical questions about energy infrastructure capacity and whether Nigeria's digital economy development can secure adequate data centre resources amid global competition for capacity.

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/technology/global-data-centre-development-needs-3tr-in-five-years/