Apac data centre capacity to double by 2030, AI boom creating ‘generational shift’ in power demand: JLL
The AI and data facility upsurge has resulted in a “generational change in energy need”, said 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 forecasting small expansion are currently grappling with figures virtually double their previous quotes.”
At the same time, grid accessibility obstacles are prompting market gamers to turn into straight players in the energy market, with some technology companies deciding to straight up purchase operating renewable assets to guarantee electrical power source, according to JLL.
Regardless, safeguarding power supply is currently top of mind for data centre investors in Apac, claimed James Cameron, JLL’s head of energy and infrastructure for the area. “In liberalised markets in Apac, such as Australia, India, Japan and the Philippines, status and area of grid link is the first concern for financiers and has the biggest assessment effect for development assets.”
Amid a decentralised increase of new renewable resource sources, existing transmission infrastructure– originally designed for large, centralised power plant– has struggled to deal, causing substantial grid congestion around the world.
Data put together by the real estate consultancy shows that Apac information centre capability will jump from 32 gigawatts (GW) to 57 GW by 2030. Globally, data center capacity is assumed to hit 200GW already, steered mostly by hyperscale cloud growth and AI demand.
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The restraints are creating brand-new opportunities in similar markets. One such opportunity hinges on battery energy storage systems (BESS), that JLL posits will certainly play an increasingly essential duty in handling restricted grid access and renewable energy intermittency. “They function as shock shields for constrained grids, charging when power is affordable and abundant, after that discharging when demand and cost are high,” claimed Eastwick.
As a result, grid access is progressively driving decision-making for developers, data centre drivers, energy firms, and tech companies. “For any kind of energy developer, without having a grid connection, you do not have a project,” Jack detailed. “For investors, this grid congestion equates straight right into danger, however it additionally produces a shortage premium for properties that supply or secure grid accessibility.”
While data centre build-out still surpasses grid planning in several Apac markets, Cameron expects local characteristics and grid access obstacles to drive brand-new collaboration versions. “While the solution will differ relying on circumstances, it is clear we will see a lot more partnership opportunities and innovative solutions in between data centre and power customers across the region.”
Against this backdrop, hyperscalers have announced US$ 200 billion ($ 253 billion) in infrastructure spending for 2026, up 51% from 2025. However, regardless of the document capital investment, interconnection lines up for new sustainable projects now encompass 4 years or more in some regions, with certain areas forced to pause brand-new links entirely, according to JLL.
Data facility capability in Asia Pacific (Apac) is forecasted to nearly two times by 2020, as AI-fuelled growth turns around a decades-long pattern of steady or declining electricity need, according to study by JLL.
That change has decisively improved the data center landscape, with grid infrastructure currently becoming the primary restraint. “Power need is climbing quicker than grids were constructed to handle,” commented Matt Eastwick, JLL’s US group head and senior regulating supervisor for energy and facilities.
