Power availability is overtaking customer demand as the decisive factor shaping global data center development, pushing more projects beyond established hubs and into secondary markets, new research reveals. “Power availability has become the primary factor determining both where data centers are built and whether announced projects proceed on schedule,” Alexandra Desseyn, Americas research manager at DCByte, told Data Center Knowledge. Established Hubs Face Delivery LimitsMajor data center hubs retain key advantages, including connectivity, cloud availability zones, and mature customer ecosystems. Related:Emerging Data Center Markets: Key Locations to Watch in 2026Ashburn remains the center of the world’s largest data center market, with 5.6 GW of live capacity and another 15 GW in its pipeline as of the first quarter. Related:New Data Center Developments: August 2026Desseyn noted that Tennessee, West Texas, and locations beyond Northern Virginia’s established clusters are attracting greater attention in North America.