Apac data centre capacity to double by 2030, AI boom creating ‘generational shift’ in power demand: JLL
Amid a decentralised influx of brand-new renewable energy resources, presenting transmission framework– initially made for big, centralised power stations– has struggled to deal, causing considerable grid congestion around the world.
All the same, securing power supply is currently top of mind for information center investors in Apac, stated 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 very first question for investors and has the largest evaluation effect for development assets.”
Consequently, grid access is progressively driving decision-making for developers, data centre drivers, energy firms, and tech companies. “For any type of energy developer, without having a grid link, you do not have a project,” Jack explained. “For investors, this grid congestion translates straight into risk, yet it also produces a deficiency premium for assets that give or obtain grid access.”
That change has actually decisively reshaped the data center landscape, with grid infrastructure currently emerging as the primary restraint. “Power demand is rising quicker than grids were constructed to handle,” commented Matt Eastwick, JLL’s US group head and senior handling supervisor for energy and infrastructure.
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 brand-new eco-friendly projects now extend to 4 years or more in some regions, with particular areas compelled to pause new connections entirely, according to JLL.
Data collected by the real estate consultancy presents that Apac information center capability will hop from 32 gigawatts (GW) to 57 GW by 2030. Globally, data centre capacity is expected to hit 200GW already, steered mainly by hyperscale cloud expansion and AI need.
At the same time, grid accessibility difficulties are motivating industry players to turn into straight players in the energy market, with some technology business choosing to outright purchase operating renewable assets to guarantee electrical power source, according to JLL.
While data center build-out still exceeds grid preparation in numerous Apac markets, Cameron expects regional characteristics and grid access difficulties to drive brand-new collaboration versions. “Whilst the solution is going to differ depending on circumstances, it is clear we are going to see a lot more collaboration opportunities and innovative solutions in between data centre and power customers throughout the area.”
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The restrictions are developing new chances in similar industry. One such chance lies in battery energy storage systems (BESS), which JLL posits will play a progressively essential duty in handling limited grid access and renewable energy intermittency. “They serve as shock absorbers for constricted grids, charging when power is cheap and plenty, after that discharging when need and price are high,” claimed Eastwick.
The AI and data centre upsurge has actually led to a “generational shift in energy demand”, claimed 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 forecasting moderate expansion are currently grappling with numbers virtually double their previous quotes.”
Data facility capacity in Asia Pacific (Apac) is projected to nearly double by 2020, as AI-fuelled growth reverses a decades-long pattern of steady or declining electricity demand, according to study by JLL.
