Greg Rowles

Capital costs required for a new data center build are rising sharply. A new Tier III data center by $1-2 million per MW last year. Data centers should have established business relationships that can give them an edge. Strong, long-standing connections in these areas can make complicated processes smoother and slow developments quicker Luke Kipfer, PowerHouse Data Centers Tender prices for data centers increased by 15 percent last year, with that trend expected to continue.

As data center construction continues to expand at an exponential rate to meet demand, it’s not enough to simply find a site and start building. The process involves relationships with stakeholders ranging from power utility providers to the local community. Without them, delays and roadblocks are inevitable.

As demand for data and connectivity continues to surge both nationwide and globally, it requires out-of-the-box planning in highly competitive data center areas such as Northern Virginia and other demanding markets. Hyperscalers and data center operators must locate land in the right availability zones with supportive infrastructure, successfully navigate land use and zoning regulations, and develop cost-effective, sustainable construction programs to meet demand.