Data centers have become essential to nearly every part of the digital economy, from cloud platforms and AI applications to enterprise systems and everyday digital services. And demand is accelerating. JLL anticipates nearly 100 GW of new data center capacity will be added globally between 2026 and 2030, nearly doubling existing capacity.
But that growth isn’t happening within the walls of data centers alone. Every new facility depends on power, connectivity, construction, cooling, operations, and skilled people working together. As demand increases, data centers are becoming a point of convergence for industries that have traditionally been viewed separately.
HNM Systems has been working across many of those intersections for years. Now, as the data center industry evolves, we’re evolving with it.
First, we’re taking a closer look at the forces reshaping the market and what they mean for the companies building its future.
Data Centers Are Raising the Stakes for Connectivity
Connectivity has always been fundamental to data centers. What’s changing is the scale. McKinsey notes that facilities that averaged tens of megawatts before 2020 are now expected to accommodate workloads at the gigawatt scale.
AI and high-performance computing require enormous amounts of data to move quickly within facilities, between campuses, and across metro and long-haul networks.
As more capacity comes online, the networks connecting these environments become increasingly important to their performance and growth. For telecom and fiber providers, that means data center expansion is driving demand for more connectivity and creating a larger role in how the next generation of digital infrastructure gets built.
Power Is Now Part of the Technology Conversation
Computing requirements are also bringing technology and energy closer together. According to CBRE’s H1 2026 data center research, U.S. capacity demand is significantly outpacing utility transmission buildout, contributing to energization delays for new projects.
AI is adding another layer to the challenge. CBRE notes that traditional CPU servers once required roughly 3 to 10 kW of power per rack, while today’s high-density GPU servers can reach 100 kW and require liquid cooling. That shift is changing both power and cooling requirements within the facility.
With power availability and infrastructure delivery timelines now among the most decisive factors in site selection and development, data center growth is increasingly tied to the ability to deliver the energy infrastructure behind it.
Growth Still Comes Down to Execution
New capacity still has to be built, connected, commissioned, and operated. As organizations expand their data center footprint, having the right workforce in place can directly affect how quickly they can enter new markets and take on additional work.
We’ve seen that firsthand. When one client expanded its hyperscale data center operations into a new market, it had virtually no local workforce to execute the work. HNM helped build the team needed to support data center construction and connectivity projects, supplemented by experienced professionals from neighboring markets as demand grew.
For another client scaling its data center business nationally, HNM identified and evaluated 1,000+ candidates, helping build approximately 37% of the company’s sustainable workforce. Many of those hires also progressed into more complex roles as the organization grew.
The numbers tell only part of the story. As one client put it, data center work is “like you’re in the major leagues.” The technical requirements matter, but so do the higher expectations around safety, quality, professionalism, and execution.
Meeting future demand will require more than competing for the professionals already doing this work. Workforce development will also be essential to creating new talent pipelines, helping people with adjacent skills enter the industry, and giving them opportunities to grow into increasingly complex roles.
For companies pursuing data center growth, scaling isn’t simply about adding headcount. It’s about building a workforce that can grow with the work.
What’s Next for HNM Systems?
We’re preparing to expand our role in this market in a meaningful way, and we’re excited to share what’s ahead. Sign up for updates to be among the first to hear what’s next.
