Addressing AI Computing Hunger: Global Data Center Giant NTT GDC Plans to Double Capacity in Two Years and Exceed 5 Gigawatts in Five Years.

As the world's third largest data center provider (excluding the Chinese market), NTT Global Data Centers (NTT GDC) is actively expanding its business footprint, aiming to double its existing capacity to 4 gigawatts to meet the growing global demand for critical digital infrastructure under the wave of artificial intelligence (AI). According to Doug Adams, CEO of NTT Data Center Business, the company, a subsidiary of the Japanese NTT Group, is advancing 34 construction projects with the expectation of doubling its capacity within the next two years. Adams stated in an interview that capacity will continue to increase on this basis, with a goal to "steadily exceed 5 gigawatts" within five years. With companies accelerating the migration of software systems and business operations to the cloud, and many firms seeking additional computing power to support AI applications, NTT GDC is facing increasing market demand. Adams revealed that although no specific timeline was provided, revenue in this business is expected to continue to grow at a rate of over 20% per year. In the fiscal year ending in March 2025, its net sales increased by approximately 30% year-on-year to reach $2.4 billion. "The demand for AI is increasing by the second, and we are exactly the enabler," Adams said. Data centers focusing on AI computing power are currently experiencing an investment boom. Meta Platforms (META.US) announced on this Monday that it plans to invest up to $27 billion in the Dutch data center and "new cloud" provider Nebius Group NV (NBIS.US) over the next five years. NTT GDC stated that its revenue does not specifically separate the contribution from cloud capacity required for enterprise AI implementation and traditional digital projects. In Frankfurt, NTT GDC is actively acquiring land and building new facilities, adding nearly 500 megawatts of capacity to its existing four data centers. The company is also expanding its presence in locations like Milan and Osaka, and exploring potential opportunities in the Nordic and South American markets. "We have set aside over $3 billion in equity for expansion," Adams said, noting that the company can also collaborate with other investors to finance new projects or inject assets into CareTrust REIT Inc to raise additional funds. In July last year, the company injected some of its income-stable mature assets into NTT DC REIT, successfully raising over $770 million through listing in Singapore. Adams revealed that more than 70% of the 34 ongoing projects have signed partnership agreements. Currently, NTT GDC operates over 150 data centers in more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, making it the third largest data center provider in terms of revenue after Equinix Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR.US).