US data center land spending hits $6 billion
Data Center Knowledge: AI Data Center Land Buying Hits $6B as Power Premiums Rise
US data center land spending hit roughly $6 billion in the first half of 2026, as power access now drives land value and pricing more than location alone.
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US data center land purchases reached approximately $6 billion in the first half of 2026, driven by demand for AI computing capacity. Power access has become the primary factor determining land value, with sites offering committed electrical infrastructure commanding significant premiums over land without reliable power connections. Developers and utilities face competing pressures: developers need certainty that power will arrive within roughly 18 months to match building construction timelines, while utilities must avoid investing billions in infrastructure for projects that may never materialize. This dynamic has made speed to power delivery and proof of financial commitment central to both land pricing and project viability in the data center market.
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