Data centres are expanding rapidly. Within this growth, new innovations and solutions are driving both commercial performance and sustainable design. Investors who can identify these opportunities will de-risk assets and generate returns while improving the sustainability profile of their portfolios.
A new whitepaper, Investable Green Data Centres: Where Sustainability Drives Performance, published by Systemiq with General Atlantic and Actis, and with contributions from GRESB and SDCL, argues that sustainability in data centres does not have to be a trade-off with performance. It shows how investors can look to places where sustainability aligns with commercial priorities to unlock long-term asset value and stronger returns.
Understanding the priorities of stakeholders
For data centre developers and operators, the basics still matter most: speed to power, reliability, operational performance, cost, and license to operate.
Navigating the landscape of sustainable solutions
We believe that sustainable solutions can align to financial and execution priorities. Where that is the case, such alignment de-risks and accelerates the development of assets, presenting compelling investment opportunities.
Deploying capital where technology is ready to scale
Opportunities to bring solutions to scale already exist through targeted investment strategies.
Adapting strategies to regional realities
The geography of opportunity is uneven, with different forces shaping the landscape: Europe is advancing sustainability-focused regulation; the US build-out is driven by the current administration and hyperscaler ambition; and Asia presents rapid demand growth paired with country-specific design parameters.
Choosing the right investment pathway
Investors who understand how sustainability aligns with financial and execution imperatives will be well-positioned to generate alpha while shaping the next wave of digital infrastructure.
Our whitepaper suggests several strategic actions for investors:
- Decide where to shape new standards, and where to follow.
- Balance portfolios between stable, high-growth, and higher-risk markets.
- Partner with operators, utilities, and cities to deliver solutions.
- Understand what large customers want and how that will shape technology choices.
- Stress-test portfolios against different growth and demand scenarios.
Growth in data centres is not slowing. The question is whether this expansion rapidly scales emissions or drives a shift to a more sustainable digital economy. Those who understand how sustainability can drive returns will be better placed to ride the wave of data centre build-out.
