JLL

JLL continues to project a massive infrastructure supercycle, driven by AI and cloud growth, which is expected to double global data center capacity by 2030. This forecast is tempered by ongoing concerns regarding global energy constraints and power scarcity. The firm's analysis emphasizes the structural transformation underway across the sector, linking large-scale capital deployment to necessary infrastructure build-out.

Recent analysis highlights that sustained hyperscale and AI demand is maintaining record-low vacancy rates across North America. This intense demand is pushing new development into previously emerging geographic markets, suggesting a geographic rebalancing is accelerating. This trend complements JLL's earlier projections regarding the potential rise of Texas as a dominant hub challenging established leaders.

JLL's current engagement reflects a practical application of its forecasting, moving from macro analysis to direct client support in navigating dual pressures of unprecedented demand and power availability. The firm is actively helping clients manage this boom, focusing on how regional power dynamics are shaping the future hierarchy of global data center markets.

The evolving narrative shows an intensification of JLL's involvement, focusing on the operational reality of industrial-scale deployment. This strategic focus on managing capacity expansion, while supporting international connectivity hubs, defines JLL's position as a key advisor linking high-level market strategy to ground-level execution challenges.

Last updated March 8, 2026

Coverage

JLL's latest report on North America demonstrates that persistent hyperscale and artificial intelligence demand is maintaining near-record low vacancy rates while concurrently driving a significant shift in new development toward emerging frontier markets.
New analysis suggests that Texas may surpass Northern Virginia as the leading data center location due to explosive capacity expansion, while rising rental costs and power constraints are actively influencing the geographical distribution of new builds.
The Chief Executive Officer of JLL expressed dismissal of concerns regarding artificial intelligence's impact on the industry while affirming commitments to stock repurchase programs.
JLL projections indicate that Texas is positioned to become a dominant force in data center capacity generation by the year 2030.
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JLL forecasts that global data center capacity is set to double by 2030, driven by a projected $3 trillion investment supercycle.
JLL's 2026 Global Data Center Outlook forecasts a massive $3 trillion infrastructure supercycle fueled by artificial intelligence and cloud expansion, predicting that capacity will double by 2030 despite significant global energy constraints.