Key Takeaways
- • Hines Research estimates that 40,000 acres of powered land, roughly 2 billion square feet, will be needed to support current projections for data center growth over the next five years.
- • As of 2Q 2025, the U.S. accounts for about 60% of global operating data center capacity, Europe about 20%, and Asia about 15%.
- • Hines expects Europe to more than triple its in-place data center capacity by 2030, and its major markets appear less saturated than comparable U.S. markets.
- • Hines argues Europe presents the strongest case for powered land development, citing gaps in hyperscaler data center footprints that extend into central Eastern Europe.
- • Hines expects powered land to become an increasingly critical infrastructure investment strategy over the next few years as AI adoption drives demand for power.
Summary
Hines Research estimates that roughly 40,000 acres of powered land, almost 2 billion square feet, will be needed to support current projections for data center growth over the next five years, according to the firm's research report "Power Play: The Emerging Powered Land Opportunity." The report argues that identifying where the next pockets of opportunity will emerge is critical for investors.
Data center growth is projected to be substantial globally across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. As of 2Q 2025, the U.S. represents about 60% of overall operating data center capacity, while Europe accounts for closer to 20% and Asia about 15%. Hines expects Europe to more than triple its current in-place data center capacity by 2030.
Hines contends that Europe presents a strong case for powered land development. The firm says Europe's major data center markets appear much less saturated than comparable U.S. markets. A mapping of major hyperscalers' leased or owned data centers worldwide shows the U.S. is more saturated than Europe and Asia, with gaps extending into central Eastern Europe. Hines says these gaps are ones hyperscalers and other users will need to fill, or use to augment insufficient capacity.
The report links the opportunity to the data center boom driven by expanding AI adoption and digital transformation. Because data centers require substantial power, Hines believes powered land will become an increasingly critical infrastructure investment strategy over the next few years. The source material does not provide specific deal values, fund details, or named transactions.
Data center growth is projected to be substantial globally across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. As of 2Q 2025, the U.S. represents about 60% of overall operating data center capacity, while Europe accounts for closer to 20% and Asia about 15%. Hines expects Europe to more than triple its current in-place data center capacity by 2030.
Hines contends that Europe presents a strong case for powered land development. The firm says Europe's major data center markets appear much less saturated than comparable U.S. markets. A mapping of major hyperscalers' leased or owned data centers worldwide shows the U.S. is more saturated than Europe and Asia, with gaps extending into central Eastern Europe. Hines says these gaps are ones hyperscalers and other users will need to fill, or use to augment insufficient capacity.
The report links the opportunity to the data center boom driven by expanding AI adoption and digital transformation. Because data centers require substantial power, Hines believes powered land will become an increasingly critical infrastructure investment strategy over the next few years. The source material does not provide specific deal values, fund details, or named transactions.
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