A consortium led by BlackRock, which also includes technology giants Nvidia and Microsoft, has announced the acquisition of Aligned Data Centers. The transaction is valued at approximately $40 billion (CZK 832 billion). It is one of the largest acquisitions in the history of data centers and is intended to strengthen artificial intelligence infrastructure worldwide.
The Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), together with MGX and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) division, will acquire a 100% stake in Aligned Data Centers from funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management and their co-investors. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
This acquisition is AIP’s first investment, as the partnership aims to raise $30 billion in equity capital, with the potential to reach up to $100 billion including debt.
Who is involved in the consortium
In addition to BlackRock, Nvidia, and Microsoft, the group includes several major institutional investors. These include MGX, an investment firm owned and funded by the Abu Dhabi government, the Kuwait Investment Authority, Singapore’s state-owned investment company Temasek, and xAI, an artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk.
Technology and energy suppliers such as Cisco Systems, GE Vernova, and NextEra Energy are also involved in the deal. This combination of investors and partners brings together sovereign wealth funds and private technology companies to support the growth of infrastructure for artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
Size of Aligned Data Centers
In less than a decade, Aligned Data Centers has grown into one of the world’s largest data center operators. The company manages 50 campuses with more than 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity. These facilities are located in key locations across the Americas, including Northern Virginia, Chicago, Dallas, Ohio, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. Internationally, it operates in São Paulo, Brazil; Querétaro, Mexico; and Santiago, Chile.
This network of campuses provides enormous data processing capacity, which is crucial for the growing needs of artificial intelligence and cloud services. The company focuses on efficient and scalable solutions that meet current computing power requirements.
Significance of the acquisition
According to Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, AIP is ready to respond to the growing demand for infrastructure required by artificial intelligence. This acquisition brings together the strengths of investors and technology companies to support the global development of data centers. As interest in artificial intelligence grows, investments like this are becoming crucial to future technological progress.
Sources: cnbc.com and theinformation.com
