Aligned Data Centers Acquired in US$40bn AI Deal

A landmark US$40bn deal is set to see Aligned Data Centers acquired by a consortium of the world’s most influential technology and investment firms.

The acquisition, backed by Nvidia, Microsoft, xAI and BlackRock, highlights the escalating value of hyperscale and AI-ready data centre infrastructure in the global digital economy.

The group of companies, which also includes MGX of Abu Dhabi and the Kuwait Investment Authority, will acquire Aligned from Macquarie Asset Management through the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

This transaction is the largest data centre acquisition to be announced, highlighting the sector's critical function in facilitating the expansion of AI across the globe.

“Partnering with the Consortium will accelerate our mission to deliver the infrastructure powering tomorrow’s digital economy,” says Andrew Schaap, Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Data Centers.

“With AIP, MGX, and GIP’s global reach, extensive resources and deep expertise across AI, energy and finance, we are poised to scale faster, innovate further and redefine what’s possible in sustainable data centre infrastructure.”

Strategic investment in AI compute

The Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership was formed in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft and Nvidia to speed up global investment in AI infrastructure.

The group is focused on developing the energy, connectivity and compute ecosystems required to support trillion-parameter AI models and future cloud applications.

The Aligned acquisition is the partnership's first major investment, representing a key step in its strategy to deploy US$30bn of equity capital.

The move is consistent with wider consolidation and capital deployment in the hyperscale market as investors aim to meet the demand generated by swift AI adoption.

Larry Fink, Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock and Chairman of AIP, says: “AIP is positioned to meet the growing demand for the infrastructure required as AI continues to reshape the global economy.

“This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilising private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth and productivity.

"With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, while offering our clients attractive opportunities to participate in its growth.”

Aligned Data Centers' sustainable design

Aligned designs and operates data centres and hyperscale campuses throughout North and South America. Aligned's portfolio includes 50 data centre campuses with more than 5GW of operational and planned capacity.

Its modular infrastructure approach enables rapid deployment while preserving efficiency, flexibility and sustainability.

Founded in 2013 with an emphasis on reducing energy and water consumption, Aligned has developed a reputation for innovation in sustainable data centre design.

Its patented cooling technology and adaptive infrastructure make it a suitable choice for the power-intensive needs of AI compute clusters.

These factors have positioned Aligned as a key partner for hyperscalers, enterprises and cloud providers.

“AI is reshaping every sector of the global economy," explains Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners, a part of BlackRock.

"By combining Aligned’s scalable, adaptable platform with AIP’s capital and capabilities, we will build the infrastructure to support innovation at scale – creating resilient, sustainable communities and unlocking transformative growth worldwide.”

Meeting the increasing demand for AI

The US$40bn valuation reflects not only Aligned’s current assets but also the strategic importance of its development pipeline.

As the requirement for computing capacity increases, data centres are becoming the foundation of the AI revolution.

AI workloads are progressively more power-hungry, necessitating dense GPU clusters and advanced cooling systems capable of sustaining large training models.

According to industry estimates, global data centre power demand could more than double by 2030, fuelled predominantly by AI and machine learning.

The involvement of technology leaders Nvidia and Microsoft in the deal demonstrates the strengthening connection between infrastructure and software.

Their participation signals confidence in Aligned’s operational model and reflects a broader trend of technology firms moving upstream to secure access to physical compute resources.

Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, Chief Executive Officer of MGX, says: “We are entering a new era in which AI will fundamentally reengineer our economies and enable accelerated growth. Compute infrastructure at scale will be foundational to that progress.

“Our investment in Aligned Data Centers will direct scalable capital to an operator built for efficiency and growth, with the mission to deliver the infrastructure needed to support global AI adoption.”

The transaction, which is expected to be finalised by late 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, sets a new benchmark for the data centre sector.

It signals how integral these facilities have become to economic strategy and AI development.