Morgan Stanley Sees Global Data Center IT Capacity at 316 GW by 2030

Morgan Stanley expects global data center IT capacity to reach 316 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, a forecast that points to substantial expansion despite constraints on power, construction and financing.

The bank projects about 136 GW at the end of 2026. Reaching 316 GW four years later would add about 180 GW, an increase larger than the entire projected 2026 capacity. The forecast implies compound annual growth of 23%.

Power shortages, rising construction costs and tighter financing remain obstacles to building that capacity. The 316 GW figure is a projection for 2030, not a measure of capacity already operating.

For U.S. context, Morgan Stanley has also projected a 70 GW data center power gap through 2028 before mitigation. Its U.S. model projects total data center power demand of 97 GW through 2028. Those estimates concern U.S. electricity needs, while the 316 GW forecast concerns global IT capacity.