NTT Global Data Centers (NTT GDC), the world's third-largest data center provider excluding the Chinese market, is actively expanding its operations with the goal of doubling its existing capacity to 4 gigawatts. This move addresses the growing global demand for critical digital infrastructure driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom. According to Doug Adams, CEO of NTT's data center business, the company, which is part of Japan's NTT Group, is advancing 34 construction projects and expects to achieve this capacity doubling within the next two years. Adams stated that beyond this milestone, capacity will continue to increase, firmly surpassing 5 gigawatts within five years.
The company is facing sustained rising market demand as businesses accelerate the migration of software systems and operational functions to the cloud, while many firms compete to secure additional computing power to run AI applications. Adams revealed that, although a specific timeline was not provided, he anticipates the business's revenue will maintain an annual growth rate exceeding 20%. For the fiscal year ending March 2025, net sales increased by approximately 30% year-over-year, reaching $2.4 billion. "AI demand is intensifying by the minute, and we are the enablers," Adams commented.
Data centers focused on AI computing power are experiencing an investment surge. Meta Platforms announced plans to invest up to $27 billion over the next five years in Dutch data center and "new cloud" provider Nebius Group NV. NTT GDC noted that its revenue does not separately distinguish between contributions from cloud capacity required for corporate AI implementations and traditional digital transformation projects.
In Frankfurt, NTT GDC is actively acquiring land and constructing new facilities, adding nearly 500 megawatts of capacity to its existing four data centers. The company is also establishing new sites in locations such as Milan and Osaka, while exploring potential opportunities in Nordic and South American markets. "We have over $3 billion in自有资金 ready for expansion," Adams said, adding that the company can also collaborate with other investors to finance new projects or inject assets into a real estate investment trust to raise additional capital. Last July, the company placed some of its stable, income-generating mature assets into NTT DC REIT, raising more than $770 million through a listing in Singapore.
Adams indicated that cooperation agreements have been signed for more than 70% of the 34 projects currently under construction. Presently, NTT GDC operates over 150 data centers across more than 20 countries and regions. By revenue, it is the world's largest data center provider after Equinix Inc. and Digital Realty Trust.