A consortium led by technology giant Nvidia has agreed to acquire Aligned Data Centers in a landmark transaction valued at $40bn, signaling a massive strategic investment in the foundational infrastructure required to power the next wave of artificial intelligence. The deal, one of the largest of its kind in the data center sector, brings together leading AI companies and major financial players to secure the specialized, high-capacity facilities essential for developing and deploying advanced AI models.
The acquisition underscores the rapidly growing conviction that physical infrastructure is a critical asset for leadership in the digital and AI-driven economy. The buying group includes not only Nvidia but also Microsoft and xAI, alongside financial heavyweights BlackRock, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and the Kuwait Investment Authority. They will purchase Aligned from its current owner, Macquarie Asset Management, in a move designed to accelerate the build-out of data centers tailored for the extreme computational demands of AI, from large-scale model training to global inference workloads. The transaction is being facilitated through the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
A Record-Setting Infrastructure Investment
The $40bn valuation sets a new benchmark for the data center industry, reflecting the premium placed on facilities that can support the immense power and cooling needs of modern AI hardware. This transaction represents the first major deployment of capital by the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership, a group formed in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia. AIP was established specifically to channel capital into the energy, connectivity, and compute ecosystems vital for future AI applications, and this deal is a major step in its plan to deploy $30bn in equity capital.
Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, stated that the partnership aims to meet the growing infrastructure demand as AI reshapes the global economy. The involvement of major global investment firms highlights the financial community’s recognition of data centers as core strategic assets for economic growth. “By combining Aligned’s scalable, adaptable platform with AIP’s capital and capabilities, we will build the infrastructure to support innovation at scale,” said Bayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners. The deal is part of a broader trend of significant capital flowing into the hyperscale data center market as investors race to secure capacity ahead of soaring demand.
Aligned’s Strategic Position and Capabilities
Founded in 2013, Aligned Data Centers has become a key player in the industry, operating 50 data center campuses across North and South America. The company’s portfolio boasts over 5 gigawatts of both operational and planned capacity, making it a substantial asset for any hyperscale client. Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned Data Centers, expressed that the partnership will accelerate the company’s mission. “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,” Schaap said.
Engineered for AI’s Technical Demands
Aligned is particularly attractive to AI companies due to its focus on sustainability and its advanced, patented cooling technology. AI workloads require dense clusters of powerful GPUs that generate immense heat, pushing conventional data center cooling systems to their limits. Aligned’s facilities are engineered to handle these power-intensive requirements efficiently, making them ideal for the new era of computing. As the sophistication of AI models grows, so does the demand for power. Industry estimates suggest that global data center power consumption could more than double by 2030, driven almost entirely by AI and machine learning. This makes operators like Aligned, who can deliver both scale and efficiency, exceptionally valuable.
Consortium’s Vision for Securing AI’s Future
The direct participation of Nvidia, Microsoft, and xAI is a clear indicator of a strategic shift within the technology industry. These companies are moving to secure their own supply of critical compute resources, mitigating potential bottlenecks and gaining more control over the infrastructure that underpins their AI ambitions. By investing in Aligned, they are not merely leasing space but are taking ownership of the physical layer of the AI revolution, ensuring they have the capacity to train ever-larger models and serve a growing customer base without being constrained by third-party availability or pricing.
This vertical integration of AI development and physical infrastructure demonstrates a deepening understanding of the symbiotic relationship between software and hardware. The performance of a new AI model is directly tied to the quality and capacity of the data center it runs in. For Nvidia, the leading designer of AI chips, this investment helps ensure there are data centers capable of deploying its most advanced products. For Microsoft and xAI, it provides a dedicated foundation for the growth of their cloud and AI services, guaranteeing access to the specialized environments their technologies require.
Redefining the Market and Looking Ahead
The acquisition of Aligned is expected to redefine valuation standards across the data center sector, reinforcing the idea that these facilities are no longer just utilities but are central to national and corporate strategic interests. The deal is expected to close by late 2026, pending customary regulatory approvals. For Aligned, the infusion of capital from the consortium will provide the resources to dramatically expand its footprint, potentially beyond the Americas and into new global regions to support its new owners’ international operations.
This move is a foundational investment in the future of the digital economy. Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, CEO of MGX, noted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. “We are entering a new era in which AI will fundamentally reengineer our economies and enable accelerated growth,” he said. “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.” The transaction serves as a powerful statement that the future of AI will be built not only on algorithms and code but also on concrete, steel, and highly advanced, sustainable infrastructure.
