Equinix vs Nscale

Global Data Center Backlash Threatens AI Infrastructure Investments

Public opposition to data center construction is spreading from the U.S. to Europe and Asia, raising risks for investors. In Europe, over 70 projects were rejected or restricted in early 2026, with significant pushback in Scotland, Denmark, Spain, and the U.K. In South Korea, local residents are protesting data centers near homes, prompting proposed consent requirements and review systems. This backlash has delayed or canceled around $42 billion in European data center investments, compared to $77 billion in the U.S. Industry leaders acknowledge growing community scrutiny but see it as manageable, although costs may rise due to project delays. The AI boom continues, but communities now have significant power to derail large-scale plans.

• Public opposition has impacted around $42 billion in European data center investments due to delays and cancellations.
• More than 70 data center projects in Europe were rejected or restricted between January and April 2026.
• Scotland paused planning approvals for new hyperscale data centers.

AI slowdown not 'end of world' for data centers: Digital Realty CEO

Digital Realty CEO Andrew Power asserts that an AI development slowdown, pledged by major AI players Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI, is not catastrophic for data center real estate. He argues that broader digital transformation and cloud computing growth remain strong demand drivers. The article notes that AI could account for 70% of global data center capacity demand by 2030, requiring nearly $7 trillion in capital outlay according to McKinsey. While stocks of data center REITs like Digital Realty and Equinix slumped, Power emphasizes that the company's funding model and $20 billion development pipeline position it well. JLL's Andrew Batson highlights that future data center growth lies in inference (adoption of AI tools), not just training new models, with only 1 in 4 Americans using AI daily.

• Digital Realty CEO Andrew Power says AI slowdown pledges by Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI are not 'pencils down' for AI or data center real estate.
• McKinsey report projects AI could account for about 70% of global data center capacity demand by 2030.
• McKinsey estimates nearly $7 trillion in capital outlay needed to meet total data center demand by 2030.

Aker CEO dismisses Microsoft Nscale contract loss as minor

The CEO of Aker ASA, Øyvind Eriksen, the largest investor in UK AI infrastructure startup Nscale, downplayed Microsoft's withdrawal from a data centre deal as a "minor contract". Speaking during Aker's Q3 results presentation, Eriksen reassured investors ahead of Nscale's planned US IPO targeting a $35bn valuation. He noted that since Nscale's Series C funding round, the company's activity and contract portfolio more than doubled, and the termination was expected. Microsoft cancelled the deal to lease compute capacity from Nscale's Essex data centre due to anticipated power supply issues. Nscale is reportedly close to a new multibillion-dollar deal with Anthropic, which would increase its commitment in West Virginia. Aker owns approximately 23% of Nscale, valued at $3.31bn based on the Series C valuation.

• Aker ASA CEO Øyvind Eriksen called Microsoft's cancellation of a data centre deal with Nscale a 'minor contract'.
• Aker owns approximately 23% of Nscale, valued at $3.31bn based on Nscale's Series C valuation.
• Microsoft cancelled the lease agreement due to expected power supply issues at Nscale's Essex data centre.

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