Rack density

Rack density is the amount of IT power, measured in kW, drawn by a single rack — a market-trend concept distinct from the kW-per-rack unit definition, tracking how fast that figure is climbing as AI workloads replace conventional compute. Legacy enterprise racks average 10-15 kW, but per JLL's 2026 Global Data Center Outlook, average density across new-build capacity is on track to roughly triple, with liquid cooling adopted in about 80% of new facilities to manage the added heat load. AI training racks already run 40-100+ kW, and current-generation GPU platforms are pushing deployments toward 130 kW, with vendor roadmaps pointing toward 250 kW per rack. Rising density is reshaping colocation pricing, since operators increasingly charge a premium for power-dense, liquid-cooled space rather than raw floor area.