2026 Global Data Center Market Comparison

Overview

The 2026 Global Data Center Market Comparison, produced by Cushman & Wakefield Research, is an annual ranking that evaluates 107 global data centre markets across 24 variables. The evaluation emphasises power availability and delivery, a new grid-stability variable, pipelines and policy. The report is behind a registration form; the summary page is public and this record rests only on the information on that page.

In the evaluation power remains the primary constraint; availability, delivery timelines and grid stability are assessed together. The novelty this year is the grid-stability variable based on transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, defined as the share of electricity lost on the grid. Singapore has the lowest at 0.2%, and Nairobi and Lagos the highest at 24.2%. Regional averages are 3.7% in the Americas, 7.5% in EMEA and 8.2% in APAC.

The key takeaways include managed growth, Texas emerging as 'the next Virginia', and intensifying community opposition to development. Community opposition is driving moratoriums. This shows that in site selection, not only power and land but also local acceptance and the regulatory environment have become decisive. The report therefore stresses that a market's attractiveness is set by the combination of power, grid and policy conditions.

The document has limits. The full report is behind a form and this record relies only on the public summary page; the full set of 24 variables, their weights and market-by-market rankings are not covered. The report is a real estate advisory study, not a design standard; it should be used as context and benchmark data in site scoring and supported with local data for final decisions.

Key points

1. Evaluates 107 markets across 24 variables.
2. Power remains the primary constraint; availability, delivery timelines and grid stability are assessed.
3. New grid-stability variable is the share of electricity lost in T&D; Singapore lowest at 0.2%, Nairobi/Lagos highest at 24.2%.
4. Average T&D losses: Americas 3.7%, EMEA 7.5%, APAC 8.2%.
5. Community opposition to development is intensifying, driving moratoriums.
6. Texas is emerging as 'the next Virginia'.
7. Full report is behind a form; this summary relies on the public page only.

Using it in design

• Add grid stability (T&D loss %) and power-delivery timeline fields to the site comparison matrix.
• For high-loss grids, raise the recommended UPS and genset autonomy.
• In site scoring, treat community acceptance and moratorium risk as a separate criterion.
• Use the report as benchmark data and confirm final site decisions with local grid operator data.

Who should read it

Planners selecting sites, investment decision makers and consultants comparing data centre markets.

Publication details

Authors

Cushman & Wakefield Research

Publisher

Cushman & Wakefield

Year

2026

Document language

English

Source type

Expert / community

Access

Citation only

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation