The Strategic Rationale and Investment Implications of GIP's $40 Billion Aligned Data Centers Acquisition

The data center sector is undergoing a seismic transformation driven by the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI training and inference workloads intensify, the demand for high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure has surged, reshaping both the physical and financial landscapes of the industry. At the heart of this evolution is the strategic acquisition of Aligned Data Centers by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a subsidiary of BlackRock, valued at approximately $40 billion. This move, reported by Bloomberg and confirmed by Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/en/gip-nears-deal-buy-aligned-data-centers-about-40-billion-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-10-03/), underscores a calculated bet on the future of AI infrastructure and its capacity to generate long-term value.

Strategic Rationale: Aligning with AI-Driven Demand

The acquisition aligns with a sector-wide shift toward AI-centric infrastructure. A Data Center Frontier piece summarizing JLL's 2025 Global Data Center Outlook projects that AI workloads are projected to account for 70% of new data center capacity by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15–20%](https://www.datacenterfrontier.com/machine-learning/article/55265866/how-ais-transformative-impact-on-data-centers-is-driving-unprecedented-industry-growth-innovation-and-global-expansion). Aligned Data Centers, a leader in AI-ready infrastructure, has already positioned itself at the forefront of this trend. Aligned recently completed a capital raise - comprising $5 billion in primary equity and $7 billion in debt - that demonstrates investor confidence in its ability to scale 5+ gigawatts of AI-optimized capacity across the Americas. This expansion is critical, as hyperscale operators and enterprises increasingly prioritize proximity to power resources over traditional cost metrics, according to CIO](https://www.cio.com/article/4015556/how-ai-is-influencing-data-center-trends-in-2025.html).

GIP's acquisition of Aligned is not merely a financial transaction but a strategic consolidation of assets to meet the surging demand for AI infrastructure. By integrating Aligned's expertise in liquid cooling and high-density GPU support, GIP strengthens its portfolio to address the unique energy and thermal challenges of AI workloads, according to an AllAboutAI report](https://www.allaboutai.com/resources/ai-statistics/ai-data-centers/). This synergy is further amplified by GIP's broader partnerships, such as the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership (GAIIP), which aims to mobilize $100 billion in capital for data centers and energy infrastructure, as Microsoft announced](https://news.microsoft.com/source/2024/09/17/blackrock-global-infrastructure-partners-microsoft-and-mgx-launch-new-ai-partnership-to-invest-in-data-centers-and-supporting-power-infrastructure/?msockid=27f6fa89c38564dd22a4ecf3c29f65f1).

Financial Implications and Value Creation

The $40 billion price tag for Aligned reflects its role as a linchpin in the AI infrastructure ecosystem. While specific financial terms remain undisclosed, the deal's structure aligns with sector trends in capital deployment. JLL notes that development financing for data centers in 2025 typically ranges from 65% to 80% loan-to-cost, with permanent financing at 65% to 75% loan-to-value. Given Aligned's existing $12 billion in funding and its projected 5+GW capacity, the acquisition likely secures GIP access to a scalable, cash-generative asset base.

Moreover, the acquisition complements GIP's post-BlackRock integration strategy. Since its $12.5 billion acquisition by BlackRock in October 2024, GIP has expanded its assets under management to $170 billion, with a focus on energy transition and digital infrastructure, according to BlackRock](https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/newsroom/press-releases/article/corporate-one/press-releases/blackrock-completes-acquisition-of-global-infrastructure-partners). The Aligned deal reinforces this focus, positioning GIP to capitalize on the projected $200 billion AI infrastructure market by 2030.

Long-Term Value Creation: Sustainability and Scalability

The long-term value of this acquisition hinges on addressing two critical challenges: energy consumption and sustainability. AI data centers are expected to consume 8.6% of U.S. electricity by 2035 and emit 50–75 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. GIP's partnership with energy innovators like NextEra Energy and its investments in small modular reactors (SMRs) signal a proactive approach to decarbonization, as TFN reports](https://techfundingnews.com/acquisitions-by-global-infrastructure-partners-in-2025/). By pairing Aligned's AI-ready infrastructure with clean energy solutions, GIP can mitigate regulatory risks and align with global net-zero targets.

Additionally, the acquisition enhances GIP's ability to leverage cloud rebalancing and data governance frameworks, which are becoming essential for managing AI workloads (CIO). This operational agility, combined with Aligned's patented cooling technologies, positions the firm to capture premium pricing in a market where energy efficiency and uptime are paramount.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Move in the AI Era

GIP's acquisition of Aligned Data Centers is a masterstroke in the race to dominate the AI infrastructure sector. By securing a leader in AI-ready capacity, GIP not only addresses immediate demand surges but also future-proofs its portfolio against energy and regulatory headwinds. As AI continues to redefine global economic productivity, this $40 billion bet underscores the sector's potential to deliver outsized returns for investors who align with its trajectory.