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ARTICLE · 27 JANUARY 2026

Unlocking Global Data Center Opportunities

McDermott Will & Schulte
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The recent surge in generative artificial intelligence (AI) has resulted in an arms race to develop the technology, which will require many high-density data centers and significantly more electricity to power them.

United StatesEnergy and Natural Resources
Carl Fleming
Carl Fleming
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Key takeaways

  • The accelerated rise of AI is driving demand for high-density data centers.
  • These data centers require massive amounts of power, and the grid is ill-equipped to handle such power.
  • In addition to traditional data center development opportunities, there is an investment opportunity around onsite electricity generation that requires significant capital for growth.
  • This is an innovative space: new chips, cooling technologies, and designs; battery storage; collocated solar and wind power; and small modular nuclear reactors solutions are fast-emerging.
  • New financing structures are being developed to fund powered land and powered shell opportunities or to refinance stabilized assets.

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