Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock Lead $40B Aligned Data Centers Acquisition
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Investors led by BlackRock buy Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion.
- This deal is AIP's first and aims for $30 billion in equity deployment.
- The transaction, pending approval, closes late next year.
Investors to Acquire Aligned Data Centers in Landmark $40 Billion Deal
In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the data center landscape, an influential consortium including Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock, and xAI, the AI venture founded by Elon Musk, has announced plans to acquire Aligned Data Centers for a staggering $40 billion.
Aligned, a prominent player in the design and operation of data centers across the Americas, is currently under the ownership of Macquarie Asset Management. This acquisition, once finalized, will be the largest global data center transaction to date, according to a release.
Led by MGX from Abu Dhabi, BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners, and the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), the deal will see the consortium taking full control of Aligned's equity. Established in September 2024 by BlackRock, MGX, Microsoft, and Nvidia, AIP aims to fuel investments in AI infrastructure. New participants, including the Kuwait Investment Authority, xAI, and Temasek, have since joined the initiative.
This venture marks the first investment for AIP and aligns with its goal to mobilize $30 billion in equity capital towards AI infrastructure. Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock and Chairman of AIP, expressed confidence in the endeavor, stating, "With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI, while offering our clients attractive opportunities to participate in its growth."
The AI industry is witnessing a surge in demand for robust infrastructure, with firms like OpenAI, Nvidia, CoreWeave, and Oracle actively pursuing extensive data center and computing agreements that necessitate significant resources.
Data centers are critical to supporting the heavy-duty hardware required for AI workloads and model training. Aligned operates 50 campuses, boasting over 5 gigawatts of both current and future capacity.
Pending regulatory approvals and completion of standard closing conditions, the acquisition is projected to finalize towards the end of next year.
WATCH: Nvidia CEO Huang: AI needs much bigger computers, entire data centers are one big computer
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