Key Takeaways
The success of your digital infrastructure investment hinges on choosing a provider that can deliver both immediate performance and long-term scalability.
- Power capacity and energy reliability have become the primary constraints for modern data center development, with AI workloads requiring up to 10x more energy than traditional computing
- Integrated energy campus solutions offer superior resilience and cost stability compared to traditional grid-dependent approaches
- Geographic diversification and renewable energy access are essential for meeting ESG requirements and avoiding power-constrained markets
- Proven execution capability and financial backing separate legitimate infrastructure developers from land speculators and brokers
Partner with an experienced digital infrastructure provider that combines energy expertise with proven development capabilities to ensure your project succeeds in today’s power-constrained environment.
The digital infrastructure landscape has fundamentally shifted. According to Goldman Sachs Research, data center power demand will surge 165% by 2030, with artificial intelligence workloads driving the majority of this explosive growth. This unprecedented expansion has transformed the criteria for selecting a digital infrastructure provider from a straightforward technology decision into a complex strategic imperative that could determine your organization’s competitive position for the next decade.
Whether you’re a hyperscaler planning AI infrastructure, an enterprise expanding cloud capacity, or a developer seeking colocation partners for critical workloads, understanding what separates legitimate infrastructure providers from opportunistic intermediaries has never been more crucial.
How Power Capacity Became the Ultimate Infrastructure Constraint
The most significant shift in digital infrastructure provider selection is the elevation of power availability from an operational consideration to the primary site selection criterion. Modern hyperscale data center requirements have fundamentally altered the development landscape.
The New Power Reality
AI workloads demand power densities that traditional data centers were never designed to handle. According to McKinsey analysis, AI training workloads can consume more than 80 kilowatts per rack, while NVIDIA’s latest GB200 chip combined with servers may require rack densities of up to 120 kilowatts. This compares to traditional data centers that typically operated at 10-15 kilowatts per rack, representing an 8-12x increase in power requirements.
AFCOM’s 2024 State of the Data Center Report found that while average rack density now sits around 12 kilowatts, data center operators are being asked to support 30+ kilowatts per rack, with AI workloads requiring 60-120 kilowatts per rack to support accelerated servers in close proximity.
This concentration of demand has created unprecedented strain on electrical grid infrastructure, resulting in connection delays that can extend multiple years in major markets like Northern Virginia, Silicon Valley, and Dublin.
Essential Evaluation Criteria for Digital Infrastructure Providers
Power and Energy Infrastructure
When evaluating a digital infrastructure provider, power capacity and energy strategy should be your first consideration. The most capable providers offer comprehensive energy solutions that go beyond simple grid connections to include renewable energy integration, on-site generation capabilities, and advanced storage systems.
Key questions to ask:
- What is the total power capacity available for immediate deployment and future expansion?
- How does the provider source and deliver power (grid-only, renewable integration, on-site generation)?
- What redundancy systems are in place to ensure uninterrupted power delivery?
- Can the provider scale power capacity as your requirements grow?
Leading providers are developing energy campus models that integrate renewable generation, battery storage, and data center infrastructure under unified design and management. These integrated approaches offer superior cost stability, environmental benefits, and resilience compared to traditional grid-dependent facilities.
Site Development and Land Control
The foundation of reliable digital infrastructure development lies in proper site control and preparation. Legitimate providers own or control their development sites through long-term agreements, ensuring they can deliver promised capacity without the risks associated with speculative land deals.
Evaluate whether your potential provider has:
- Direct land ownership or long-term control rather than options or brokered arrangements
- Proper zoning and entitlements for data center development
- Environmental permitting completed or in advanced stages
- Utility interconnection agreements secured with realistic timelines
- Water access and disposal solutions appropriate for cooling requirements
Financial Strength and Execution Capability
The digital infrastructure development process requires substantial capital investment and long-term financial commitment. Providers backed by Fortune 500 companies, major energy corporations, or established infrastructure investors demonstrate the financial stability necessary to complete large-scale projects.
When evaluating financial strength, consider:
- Parent company backing and access to capital markets
- Track record of completed projects at similar scale and complexity
- Development team experience including former hyperscaler executives and energy specialists
- Insurance and bonding capabilities for project completion guarantees
Providers who outsource critical development functions often encounter delays and quality issues that can impact project timelines and operational performance.
Technical Infrastructure and Advanced Capabilities
Cooling Systems for High-Density Workloads
Modern AI workloads generate substantially more heat than traditional computing. According to Deloitte analysis, the average power density is anticipated to increase from 36 kilowatts per rack in 2023 to 50 kilowatts per rack by 2027, with next-generation AI chips requiring even higher densities.
| Infrastructure Component | Traditional Capacity | AI Workload Requirements |
| Power per Rack | 10-15 kW | 60-120 kW |
| Cooling Method | Air cooling | Liquid cooling systems |
| GPU Power Consumption | 400 watts (2022) | 1,200 watts (2024) |
| Facility Size | 30 MW considered large | 200 MW considered normal |
McKinsey reports that air-based cooling systems have an upper effectiveness limit of approximately 50 kilowatts per rack, making liquid cooling systems essential for AI training workloads. Advanced liquid cooling can support racks with power densities of 100 kilowatts, with dual-phase immersion cooling handling densities upward of 150 kilowatts per rack.
Evaluating digital infrastructure solutions requires understanding both current capabilities and future scalability. The most effective approaches combine modular architecture, advanced cooling systems, and redundant connectivity to support evolving workload requirements.
Network Connectivity and Redundancy
Modern digital infrastructure must accommodate both current requirements and future expansion needs. The most capable providers design facilities with modular architecture that enables rapid scaling without major infrastructure overhauls, including multiple carrier options, low-latency connections, and redundant fiber pathways.
Location Strategy and Regional Advantages
Geographic Diversification for Power Access
Power constraints are driving fundamental changes in data center geography. Markets that were once considered secondary for digital infrastructure are now experiencing unprecedented investment as developers follow available power capacity rather than traditional location preferences.
Strategic regions offering advantages include:
- Texas: Abundant wind and solar resources with deregulated electricity markets enabling direct renewable procurement
- Southeast: Strong solar potential with improving utility relationships and supportive regulatory environments
- Mountain West: Excellent wind resources, available land for development, and access to renewable energy sources
- Ohio and Indiana: Available power capacity and streamlined utility interconnection processes
Renewable Energy Integration
Environmental considerations have become central to digital infrastructure selection as organizations face increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals. The most forward-thinking providers integrate renewable energy for data centers including on-site solar and wind generation, battery energy storage systems, and direct renewable procurement agreements.
Advanced sustainability features include:
- On-site renewable energy generation with utility-scale solar and wind
- Battery energy storage systems that optimize renewable energy utilization and provide backup power
- Microgrids that enable operation independent of grid constraints
- Green hydrogen capabilities for zero-emission backup power options
Operational Excellence and Risk Management
Service Level Agreements and Performance Guarantees
Reliable digital infrastructure providers offer comprehensive service level agreements that cover availability, response times, and performance guarantees. Industry-leading providers typically guarantee 99.99% uptime through redundant systems and proactive maintenance protocols.
Essential SLA components:
- Availability guarantees with clear metrics and penalty structures
- Response time commitments for both routine and emergency situations
- Performance monitoring with real-time visibility into facility operations
- 24/7/365 technical support with escalation procedures for critical issues
Security and Compliance Certifications
Digital infrastructure facilities must maintain rigorous security standards and regulatory compliance to support enterprise and government workloads. Critical certifications include ISO 27001 for information security management, SOC 2 Type II for security controls, and physical security certifications appropriate for facility classification.
Future-Proofing and Partnership Considerations
Adaptability to Emerging Technologies
The rapid pace of technological change requires digital infrastructure that can adapt to evolving requirements without major reconstruction. Consider whether providers can support increasing power densities as AI hardware continues to evolve, new cooling technologies including liquid cooling systems, and emerging connectivity standards.
Strategic Planning and Long-Term Value
The best digital infrastructure providers act as strategic partners rather than simple capacity vendors. They invest in understanding customer roadmaps, industry trends, and technology evolution to ensure their facilities can support long-term business objectives through strategic planning support, technology roadmap sharing, and partnership opportunities that create value beyond basic hosting services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important factor when selecting a digital infrastructure provider?
Power capacity and energy strategy have become the primary considerations for modern digital infrastructure selection. With AI workloads requiring 8-12x more energy than traditional computing, providers must demonstrate comprehensive energy solutions including renewable integration, scalable capacity, and reliable delivery systems.
How do I verify a provider’s claims about power capacity and site readiness?
Request detailed documentation including utility interconnection agreements, environmental permits, geotechnical studies, and proof of land ownership or control. Legitimate providers maintain comprehensive project documentation and can provide third-party verification of claimed capabilities.
What’s the difference between a digital infrastructure provider and a data center broker?
Digital infrastructure providers own or control their development sites, maintain in-house technical expertise, and take responsibility for project completion and ongoing operations. Brokers typically represent third-party opportunities without direct control over development timelines or operational performance.
How important is renewable energy integration for digital infrastructure selection?
Renewable energy integration provides cost stability, environmental benefits, and resilience advantages compared to grid-only solutions. Leading providers develop energy campus models that integrate on-site generation, storage systems, and data center infrastructure for optimal performance and sustainability.
Power Your Digital Future with Proven Infrastructure Excellence
Selecting the right digital infrastructure provider will determine your organization’s ability to scale operations, meet sustainability goals, and adapt to rapidly evolving technology requirements. The providers who understand that successful digital infrastructure requires comprehensive energy solutions, proven execution capability, and strategic partnership approaches will deliver the foundation for long-term competitive advantage.
The convergence of explosive AI demand, power grid constraints, and sustainability imperatives has created a new landscape where traditional selection criteria no longer suffice. Organizations that recognize energy infrastructure as a strategic differentiator rather than a utility cost are positioning themselves to thrive in the AI economy.
Hanwha Data Centers combines deep energy development expertise with comprehensive understanding of hyperscale infrastructure requirements to deliver the energy campus solutions that next-generation digital infrastructure demands.
Our integrated approach to renewable energy development, site preparation, and infrastructure design provides the reliability, scalability, and sustainability that modern workloads require. Contact Hanwha Data Centers today to explore how our proven energy solutions can power your digital infrastructure strategy.
