Data center demand and absorption helps industry surge into 2019. Strong fundamentals in 2019 signal a positive outlook.
November 27, 2019
Insatiable demand for data center space remained robust around the word throughout 2019. According to JLL’s latest Data Center Outlook, operators are now strategizing to meet the growing need for long-term flexibility and the space and power to accommodate large users. The industry finished strong in 2019 with 775.0 MW of absorption. This marks an increase in 191.5 MW year over year. U.S. and Canada led with 509.0 MW of absorption followed by European (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regions. London and Frankfurt led EMEA with 69.0 MW and 46.0 MW of absorption, respectively.
Cloud activity accelerated by year-end 2019 as markets noted increased demand across the globe. Demand in EMEA markets accounted for 70.0 percent of absorption throughout the year. U.S.-based tech companies and cloud users drove demand for Canada, accounting for 80.0 percent of absorption in 2018, with Toronto accounting for the majority of the activity.