Data centers globally are entering a period of explosive growth, propelled mainly by artificial intelligence (AI). Worldwide capacity is expected to nearly double from 103 gigawatts (GW) today to 200 GW by 2030, according to JLL’s 2026 Global Data Center Outlook. AI workloads are projected to potentially account for half of all data center capacity by the end of the decade.
This approach represents a fundamental shift in how data centers are designed and powered and eventually managed by facilities managers.
“This is not a component-level discussion anymore,” says Matt Landek, global division president for data centers and critical environments at JLL. “What we’re experiencing now is a full redesign of the facility.”
One of the biggest impacts of AI on data centers is power density. AI training workloads can require power densities up to 10 times higher than traditional data centers, pushing some racks into the 40- to 100-kilowatt (kW) range. That shift is forcing facility teams to rethink cooling strategies, power distribution and floor layouts.
Once phased out in the past, liquid cooling is making a return for high-density applications. However, such extreme designs will not apply universally, Landek says.
“One size does not fit all,” he says, noting that requirements vary widely depending on organizational needs and workloads.
What is universal, though, is uncertainty. Chip technologies, cooling methods and workload profiles continue to change rapidly, raising the risk that facilities designed for current needs may become outdated within a decade.
Reflecting that reality, the report underscores that retrofits are unavoidable: within 10 years of operation, roughly 65 percent of data centers undergo significant renovations. The challenge for managers is not avoiding change but minimizing the cost and disruption that comes with it.
Flexibility has become a central design principle. That includes understanding stranded capacity, preserving physical space and avoiding over-optimization early in a facility’s life.
“Traditionally, we have built data centers fit for a very specific purpose,” Landek says. “Now it is about giving yourself optionality for the future.”
Additionally, grid limitations are reshaping development strategies across the industry. Utility interconnection timelines now surpass four years in many markets, making “speed to power” a decisive factor in site selection.
Power planning cannot be treated as a secondary consideration after a location is chosen because of this. Facilities teams are now involved earlier in the planning process, coordinating with utilities during site selection and assessing on-site generation options for both new construction and existing facilities.
“Power has to be addressed upfront,” Landek says. “That is now a requirement, especially for greenfield development.”
Many operators are adopting on-site generations, battery energy storage systems or temporary bridge power solutions to overcome grid delays – these are assets that historically fell outside the purview of facilities management.
“Most facilities management job descriptions were not written with power generation in mind,” Landek says. Many organizations are relying on third-party partners in the near term, with managers playing an oversight role rather than operating energy systems directly. However, over the next three to five years, deeper energy expertise is likely to become a core competency.
“That is a test for the industry,” Landek says, pointing to the need for expanded education and training programs for facilities professionals.
The push for speed is also accelerating adoption of prefabricated and modular data center solutions. Modular systems and micro data centers are expected to generate $48 billion in annual sales by 2030, according to JLL.
Modular designs offer advantages in standardization, training and operational consistency. The tradeoff is reducing flexibility once deployed, making future upgrades more challenging. Even so, modular construction is a net positive for facilities teams navigating rapid expansion, Landek says.
Despite the rising complexity of data centers, Landek sees new opportunities for facilities professionals.
“This is not just about growth,” he says. “It is a fundamental reshaping of digital infrastructure.”
As AI ramps up demand and strains traditional systems, managers are advancing closer to the center of strategic decision-making. It is a challenging moment, yet also a galvanizing one.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a facilities manager,” Landek says.
Jeff Wardon, Jr., is the assistant editor of the facilities market.
