BlackRock Targets $40 Billion Data Center Deal as AI Demand Surges

TLDR

Table of Contents

BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners is in advanced talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers for approximately $40 billion
MGX, an AI investment company established by Mubadala Investment, will invest independently as part of the deal
Aligned operates 50 campuses and 78 data centers across the US and South America
The deal would rank among the five biggest transactions globally in 2025
GIP is also considering a separate acquisition of power company AES Corp, valued at $38 billion

BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners is in advanced discussions to acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion. The transaction would represent one of the largest deals of 2025.

Aligned Data Centers, currently backed by Macquarie, operates throughout the United States and South America. The company is based in Plano, Texas.

💰 Big moves in the data center world! BlackRock-backed GIP is nearing a massive $40B deal for Aligned Data Centers. What do you think this means for the future of data storage and energy efficiency? 🤔 Dive into the details here: https://t.co/hwnwuY20NT #DataCenters #Investmen… pic.twitter.com/tnZTDRVyyD
— Yogi Liman (@yogiliman) October 3, 2025

The data center operator manages 50 campuses and 78 data centers under its current operations and future development plans. An agreement could be announced within days, according to sources familiar with the matter.

MGX, an AI investment company established by sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment, is participating in the talks. The company will invest independently as part of the transaction.

Mubadala has already invested in Aligned separately from this current deal. The involvement of multiple investors reflects the growing interest in AI infrastructure.

GIP’s Expansion in Data Centers

Global Infrastructure Partners already owns Dallas-based data center company CyrusOne alongside KKR. The two firms took CyrusOne private in a 2021 deal that valued the company at about $15 billion.

BlackRock acquired GIP last year for roughly $12.5 billion. BlackRock shares have gained about 13 percent this year, giving the company a market value of approximately $189 billion.

GIP is also exploring other large acquisitions in the sector. The firm has been eyeing a potential takeover of power company AES Corp.

AES has an enterprise value of about $38 billion, including debt. The interest stems from expectations that power companies will benefit from increased electricity demand from AI facilities.

Recent Funding and Development

In January, Aligned secured more than $12 billion in equity and debt commitments from investors. The funding came from investors including funds managed by Macquarie Asset Management.

Last month, Aligned attended a meeting with Trump administration officials. The meeting focused on speeding the development of AI infrastructure.

The White House has proposed streamlining environmental reviews for new data center construction. Investment has been pouring into the industry as AI applications expand.

Recent deals in the sector include Meta Platforms raising $29 billion for a Louisiana data center. Oracle raised $18 billion in bonds to build infrastructure for OpenAI.

MGX has been looking at raising up to $25 billion for its AI infrastructure efforts. Mubadala maintains a strategic partnership with BlackRock.

GIP has not reached a final agreement for Aligned Data Centers. Some details might change or the talks could end without a transaction.

Representatives for BlackRock declined to comment on the deal. Representatives for Aligned, Macquarie and Mubadala did not respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.

Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!

Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders: