Carlyle to Sell Data Center Power Unit to EQT in $2.6 Billion Deal

Key Facts

In a move reflecting the massive surge in investment directed toward AI-supporting technologies, Carlyle Group has agreed to sell its data center power unit to the Swedish investment firm EQT. The deal is valued at $2.6 billion, highlighting the escalating value of assets linked to digital infrastructure. Carlyle is expected to achieve an exceptional fivefold return on its original investment in the unit, according to reports from the Financial Times.

This transaction occurs as investors race to acquire power assets necessary for operating hyperscale data centers, a trend bolstered by recent earnings from giants like Nvidia and BlackRock, which indicated billions in sector investments (per recent quarterly filings). EQT is a leading player in the European infrastructure market, seeking to strengthen its portfolio to meet the rising demand for sustainable and reliable power solutions, placing it in direct competition with firms like Brookfield Asset Management.

Looking ahead, investor sentiment toward the private equity and infrastructure sectors remains positive, though real-time price data for the involved entities is currently unavailable. Market participants are monitoring key economic catalysts that could impact financing costs for M&A, notably Fed Governor Waller's speech scheduled for July 6, 2026, and the U.S. ISM Services PMI data, which will provide insight into the strength of the service and construction sectors supporting infrastructure projects.