Because of the strain that data centers (as well as other electrification sources, such as electric vehicles) are putting on the grid, “the data center industry needs to develop new power supply strategies to support growth plans,” Dietrich said. Here are the underling factors that play into the three strategies outlined by Uptime. Scale creates new opportunities: It’s not just that more data centers are being built, but the data centers under construction are fundamentally different in terms of sheer magnitude. For example, a typical enterprise data center might require between 10 and 25 megawatts of power. Today, the hyperscalers are building data centers in the 250-megawatt range and a large data center campus could require 1,000 megawatts of power. Data centers not only require a reliable source of power, they also require backup power in the form of generators. Dietrich pointed out that if a data center operator builds out enough backup capacity to support 250 megawatts of demand, they’re essentially building a new, on-site power plant. On the one hand, that new power plant requires permitting, it’s costly, and it requires highly training staffers to operate. On the other hand, it provides an opportunity. Instead of letting this asset sit around unused except in an emergency, organizations can leverage these power plants to generate energy that can be sold back to the grid. Dietrich described this arrangement as a win-win that enables the data center to generate revenue, and it helps the utility to gain a new source of power. Realistic expectations: Alternative energy sources like wind and solar, which are dependent on environmental factors, can’t technically or economically supply 100% of data center power, but they can provide a significant percentage of it. Organizations need to temper their expectations, Dietrich said.

This, the company said, “allows us to invest and allocate resources to growth areas for our future. Our plans to spend over $80 billion on infrastructure this fiscal year remains on track as we continue to grow at a record pace to meet customer demand.” When asked for his reaction to the findings, John Annand, infrastructure and operations research practice lead at Info-Tech Research Group, pointed to a blog released last month by Microsoft president Brad Smith, and said he thinks the company “is hedging its bets. It reaffirms the $80 billion AI investment guidance in 2025, $40 billion in the US. Why lease when you can build/buy your own?” Over the past four years, he said, Microsoft “has been leasing more data centers than owning. Perhaps they are using the fact that the lessors are behind schedule on providing facilities or the power upgrades required to bring that ratio back into balance. The limiting factor for data centers has always been the availability of power, and this has only become more true with power-hungry AI workloads.” The company, said Annand, “has made very public statements about owning nuclear power plants to help address this demand. If third-party data center operators are finding it tough to provide Microsoft with the power they need, it would make sense that Microsoft vertically integrate its supply chain; so, cancel leases or statements of qualification in favor of investing in the building of their own capacity.” However, Gartner analyst Tony Harvey said of the report, “so much of this is still speculation.” Microsoft, he added, “has not stated as yet that they are reducing their capex spend, and there are reports that Microsoft have strongly refuted that they are making changes to their data center strategy.” The company, he said, “like any other hyperscaler,

Overcoming the Barriers to Quantum Adoption Despite the promise of quantum computing, widespread deployment faces multiple hurdles: High Capital Costs: Quantum computing infrastructure requires substantial investment, with uncertain return-on-investment models. The partnership will explore cost-sharing strategies to mitigate risk. Undefined Revenue Models: Business frameworks for quantum services, including pricing structures and access models, remain in development. Hardware Limitations: Current quantum processors still struggle with error rates and scalability, requiring advancements in error correction and hybrid computing approaches. Software Maturity: Effective algorithms for leveraging quantum computing’s advantages remain an active area of research, particularly in real-world AI and optimization problems. SoftBank’s strategy includes leveraging its extensive telecom infrastructure and AI expertise to create real-world testing environments for quantum applications. By integrating quantum into existing data center operations, SoftBank aims to position itself at the forefront of the quantum-AI revolution. A Broader Play in Advanced Computing SoftBank’s quantum initiative follows a series of high-profile moves into the next generation of computing infrastructure. The company has been investing heavily in AI data centers, aligning with its “Beyond Carrier” strategy that expands its focus beyond telecommunications. Recent efforts include the development of large-scale AI models tailored to Japan and the enhancement of radio access networks (AI-RAN) through AI-driven optimizations. Internationally, SoftBank has explored data center expansion opportunities beyond Japan, as part of its efforts to support AI, cloud computing, and now quantum applications. The company’s long-term vision suggests that quantum data centers could eventually play a role in supporting AI-driven workloads at scale, offering performance benefits that classical supercomputers cannot achieve. The Road Ahead SoftBank and Quantinuum’s collaboration signals growing momentum for quantum computing in enterprise settings. While quantum remains a long-term bet, integrating QPUs into data center infrastructure represents a forward-looking approach that could redefine high-performance computing in the years to come. With

Global data center developer and operator STACK Infrastructure is providing a growing range of digital infrastructure solutions for hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and enterprise clients. Like almost all of the cutting-edge developers in the industry, Stack is maintaining the focus on scalability, reliability, and sustainability while delivering a full range of solutions, including build-to-suit, colocation, and powered shell facilities, with continued development in key global markets. Headquartered in the United States, the company has expanded its presence across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, catering to the increasing demand for high-performance computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud-based workloads. The company is known for its commitment to sustainable growth, leveraging green financing initiatives, energy-efficient designs, and renewable power sources to minimize its environmental impact. Through rapid expansion in technology hubs like Silicon Valley, Northern Virginia, Malaysia, and Loudoun County, the company continues to develop industry benchmarks for innovation and infrastructure resilience. With a customer-centric approach and a robust development pipeline, STACK Infrastructure is shaping the future of digital connectivity and data management in an era of accelerating digital transformation. Significant Developments Across 23 Major Data Center Markets Early in 2024, Stack broke ground on the expansion of their existing 100 MW campus in San Jose, servicing the power constrained Silicon Valley. Stack worked with the city of San Jose to add a 60 MW expansion to their SVY01 data center. While possibly the highest profile of Stack’s developments, due to its location, at that point in time the company had announced significant developments across 23 major data center markets, including:       Stack’s 48 MW Santa Clara data center, featuring immediately available shell space powered by an onsite substation with rare, contracted capacity. Stack’s 56 MW Toronto campus, spanning 19 acres, includes an existing 8 MW data center and 48 MW expansion capacity,

Meta’s Project Waterworth: Building the Global Backbone for AI-Powered Digital Infrastructure Also very recently, Meta unveiled its most ambitious subsea cable initiative yet: Project Waterworth. Aimed at revolutionizing global digital connectivity, the project will span over 50,000 kilometers—surpassing the Earth’s circumference—and connect five major continents. When completed, it will be the world’s longest subsea cable system, featuring the highest-capacity technology available today. A Strategic Expansion to Key Global Markets As announced on Feb. 14, Project Waterworth is designed to enhance connectivity across critical regions, including the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa. These regions are increasingly pivotal to global digital growth, and the new subsea infrastructure will fuel economic cooperation, promote digital inclusion, and unlock opportunities for technological advancement. In India, for instance, where rapid digital infrastructure growth is already underway, the project will accelerate progress and support the country’s ambitions for an expanded digital economy. This enhanced connectivity will foster regional integration and bolster the foundation for next-generation applications, including AI-driven services. Strengthening Global Digital Highways Subsea cables are the unsung heroes of global digital infrastructure, facilitating over 95% of intercontinental data traffic. With a multi-billion-dollar investment, Meta aims to open three new oceanic corridors that will deliver the high-speed, high-capacity bandwidth needed to fuel innovations like artificial intelligence. Meta’s experience in subsea infrastructure is extensive. Over the past decade, the company has collaborated with various partners to develop more than 20 subsea cables, including systems boasting up to 24 fiber pairs—far exceeding the typical 8 to 16 fiber pairs found in most new deployments. This technological edge ensures scalability and reliability, essential for handling the world’s ever-increasing data demands. Engineering Innovations for Resilience and Capacity Project Waterworth isn’t just about scale—it’s about resilience and cutting-edge engineering. The system will be the longest 24-fiber-pair subsea cable ever built, enhancing

In a new report, the Royal Academy of Engineering called upon the government to ensure tech companies accurately report how much energy and water their data centers are using and reducing the use of drinking water for cooling. Without such action, warns one of the report’s authors, Professor Tom Rodden, “we face a real risk that our development, deployment and use of AI could do irreparable damage to the environment.” The situation is a little different for the US as the country has large bodies of water offering a  water supply that the UK just does not have. It’s not an accident that there are many data centers around the Chicago area: they’ve also got the Great Lakes to draw upon. Likewise, the Columbia and Klamath Rivers have become magnets for data centers for both water supply and hydroelectric power. Other than the Thames River, the UK doesn’t have these massive bodies of water. Still, the problem is not unique to the UK, says Alan Howard, senior analyst with Omdia. He notes that Microsoft took heat last year because it was draining the water supply of a small Arizona town of Goodyear with a new AI-oriented data center.  The city of Chandler, Arizona passed an ordinance in 2015 that restricted new water-intensive businesses from setting up shop which slowed data center development.   “I believe some data center operators just bowed out,” said Howard.