Apac data centre capacity to double by 2030, AI boom creating ‘generational shift’ in power demand: JLL
The AI and information facility upsurge has resulted in a “generational shift in energy demand”, claimed Steven Jack, the company’s head of energy and infrastructure for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in a Sept 8 release. “Utilities that were predicting moderate expansion are currently grappling with numbers virtually double their previous estimates.”
In any case, securing power supply is currently top of mind for information centre investors in Apac, said James Cameron, JLL’s head of energy and facilities for the region. “In liberalised markets in Apac, including Australia, India, Japan and the Philippines, condition and area of grid connection is the very first inquiry for financiers and has the biggest appraisal effect for development assets.”
That shift has decisively reshaped the data center landscape, with grid infrastructure now emerging as the primary constraint. “Power demand is rising much faster than grids were constructed to handle,” commented Matt Eastwick, JLL’s US group head and senior managing director for energy and infrastructure.
Amidst a decentralised influx of new renewable energy sources, existing transmission facilities– originally designed for large, centralised power plant– has struggled to deal, leading to significant grid blockage across the globe.
While data center build-out still exceeds grid planning in several Apac markets, Cameron expects local dynamics and grid access difficulties to drive new collaboration designs. “While the solution will vary depending on scenarios, it is clear we will see a lot more partnership possibilities and innovative solutions in between data centre and energy clients throughout the region.”
The restraints are developing new opportunities in associated industry. One such opportunity depends on battery energy storage systems (BESS), that JLL posits will certainly play a significantly important role in managing minimal grid access and renewable energy intermittency. “They serve as shock shields for constricted grids, billing when power is affordable and rich, after that releasing when need and price are high,” stated Eastwick.
Data centre capability in Asia Pacific (Apac) is projected to nearly two times by 2020, as AI-fuelled growth reverses a decades-long trend of steady or declining electricity requirement, according to research by JLL.
Consequently, grid access is progressively driving decision-making for developers, data centre operators, energy firms, and tech firms. “For any energy developer, without having a grid link, you don’t have a project,” Jack explained. “For capitalists, this grid blockage equates directly right into threat, however it also creates a scarcity costs for properties that provide or obtain grid connectivity.”
Data collected by the realty consultancy shows that Apac data centre capability will hop from 32 gigawatts (GW) to 57 GW by 2030. Globally, data center capacity is anticipated to hit 200GW already, driven mostly by hyperscale cloud development and AI demand.
At the same time, grid access obstacles are prompting industry gamers to turn into straight players in the energy industry, with some technology companies choosing to outright purchase operating renewable assets to assure power source, according to JLL.
Against this backdrop, hyperscalers have announced US$ 200 billion ($ 253 billion) in infrastructure spending for 2026, up 51% from 2025. However, in spite of the record capital expenditure, interconnection queues for brand-new eco-friendly projects currently encompass 4 years or more in some regions, with particular areas forced to pause brand-new connections completely, according to JLL.
