Land Battle: Powered vs Unpowered in Data Center Development

Our latest discussion features Mike Netzer and David Liggitt, as they explore the topic of powered land in the data center industry. The Transformation of Data Centers: Take a journey through the history of data centers, highlighting the migration from rural markets to bustling cities such as Chicago, Phoenix, and Northern Virginia, fueled by cloud availability zones. The New Era of Data Center Development: Discover the current focus on powered land. Developers are buying up land, supplying power, and selling it for profit. With an ever-growing demand for larger data centers, from 36MW to a staggering 500MW, the landscape is quickly changing. Navigating Challenges in Power Land Acquisition: Not everything is smooth sailing in the industry. Developers face hurdles in obtaining power for land development, as utility companies impose more stringent requirements and costs for site surveys and study plans. Balancing Opportunities and Risks: Enter the world of high stakes and high returns in the data center space. This long-term investment requires substantial capital and expertise, with shifting market dynamics focusing on alternative energy solutions and strategic workforce planning. Key Insights: The US data center market is booming and drawing in a crowd of investors and developers. To be successful, one must understand the landscape, differentiate real versus speculative projects, and make strategic decisions.