APAC data centre capacity set to nearly double by 2030
Limited grid capacity signals that secure power access may increasingly determine data centre asset viability and create a scarcity premium for suitably connected sites.
JLL projects APAC data centre capacity to rise from 32GW to 57GW by 2030, while global capacity could reach 200GW.
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Capacity is projected to surge from 32GW to 57GW.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centres is reshaping power markets, with grid access emerging as a critical factor for real estate and infrastructure investment, according to JLL.
JLL revealed that APAC data centre capacity is projected to nearly double from 32GW to 57GW by 2030, while global capacity could reach 200GW. The growth marks a reversal of decades of stable or declining electricity demand, with utilities in major markets now forecasting demand significantly above previous expectations.
According to JLL's Energy & Infrastructure Advisory platform, grid infrastructure is increasingly the key constraint. Interconnection queues for new renewable projects have stretched to four years or more in some regions, while data centre development is outpacing grid planning in several APAC markets.
"Power access has evolved from an operational consideration to a defining factor in asset viability and valuation," JLL said.
James Cameron, head of Energy & Infrastructure, APAC, at JLL, said the status and location of grid connections is now the "first question" for investors in liberalised APAC markets including Australia, India, Japan and the Philippines, and has the largest valuation impact for development assets.
JLL said the constraints are also creating opportunities for assets that can provide reliable power or grid flexibility. Battery energy storage systems are becoming an important solution, allowing power to be stored when supply is abundant and released during periods of high demand.
In Australia, JLL said anticipated legislation requiring data centre developers to match additional capacity with new renewable generation is prompting innovative approaches, including joint ventures and incorporating batteries into data centre projects.
Globally, hyperscalers announced $200 billion of capital expenditure for 2026, up 51% from 2025, according to JLL. The firm said the combination of strong capital availability and limited grid capacity is creating a scarcity premium for assets with secure power access.
"Capital is available, but certainty is harder to find," said Matt Eastwick, group head and senior managing director, Energy & Infrastructure Advisory, U.S., at JLL. "Winners will be those who factor grid constraints and power availability into their investment decisions from day one."
JLL said the trend is also driving greater collaboration between energy developers and data centre operators, including direct investment in renewable assets and new partnership models designed to secure long-term power supply.