AIP, MGX & BlackRock's GIP Acquire Aligned Data Centers for $40B

The $40 billion acquisition of Aligned Data Centers by AIP, MGX, and BlackRock's GIP on October 15, 2025, represents a direct play for hyperscale AI infrastructure in the US. Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), specifically focused on critical infrastructure for AI technologies, gains over 3 GW of capacity, directly addressing the escalating demand for large-scale AI compute. BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), managing over $150 billion in infrastructure assets globally and investing across digital sectors, diversifies its portfolio with a substantial US data center footprint. Macquarie Group (MGX), a global financial services group with a leading infrastructure and real assets business, secures a strategic position in the rapidly expanding US data center market. The $40 billion valuation for over 3 GW of hyperscale capacity underscores the premium placed on high-capacity, AI-ready infrastructure. Macquarie Asset Management, a global asset manager, acted as a seller of Aligned Data Centers, while Macquarie (MGX) simultaneously participated as a buyer, suggesting a strategic portfolio rebalancing within the broader Macquarie ecosystem. Aligned Data Centers, known for its focus on sustainability and efficiency, offers a valuable asset for the consortium's long-term infrastructure strategies in the US. BlackRock's GIP, with its $150 billion infrastructure asset base, expands its digital sector investments, aligning with its global strategy across energy, transport, water/waste, and digital. AIP's participation directly fulfills its mandate to develop and invest in large-scale AI infrastructure, enabling future AI growth in the US. Macquarie (MGX), a leading infrastructure manager through Macquarie Asset Management, reinforces its presence in the digital infrastructure space, leveraging its extensive experience in managing diverse real assets globally. The sell-side advisory roster featured Goldman Sachs & Co., managing over $2.8 trillion in assets, J.P. Morgan with over $3 trillion in AUM, BofA Securities, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank, Guggenheim Securities, TD Securities, and Citizens JMP Securities, which leverages Citizens' $222 billion balance sheet. Legal counsel for the sellers included Latham & Watkins and Sterlington, while Kirkland & Ellis advised the buying consortium on this substantial energy and infrastructure acquisition in the US.