Barney Dixon

Data center demand has exceeded expectations in the first half of 2026 in North America, with hyperscaler-driven growth pushing absorption to a record 25GW, according to JLL. In its midyear 2026 North America Data Center Report, the commercial real estate services firm said that data center demand in North America doubled year-over-year in H1 2026, as companies compete for "scarce" capacity.

Australian data center firm CDC has announced interest in a potential data center in New Zealand in partnership with Contact Energy. The site would be on the country's North Island in Stratford, Taranaki, based on land near Contact Energy's former Taranaki Combined Cycle power station. CDC said the site has existing energy and connectivity infrastructure, including high-capacity fiber, both terrestrial and subsea, offering connection to Auckland, the location of New Zealand's international cables.

AI data center developer 5C Group has secured $605 million in debt financing to expand its projects across North America. The financing, led by Brookfield Asset Management, follows the raise of $835m in equity and debt capital that 5C raised in 2025.