NTT DATA, ENGIE strike renewable power deal for data centres

NTT DATA and ENGIE have formed a strategic, multi-market energy partnership for NTT DATA's global data centre operations, with signed arrangements in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

The partnership is intended to give NTT DATA long-term access to renewable and low-carbon energy as it expands infrastructure linked to AI, cloud and digital services. It sets out a framework for renewable energy procurement, power supply and related energy arrangements in selected markets.

The move comes as data centre operators face tighter electricity availability in several regions, particularly where AI-related demand is rising. Access to power has become a central issue for operators seeking new sites and greater capacity, with grid constraints affecting both timing and location.

In the UK, NTT DATA has agreed a corporate power purchase agreement covering power supply for its data centres through September 2030. The electricity will come from a 24 MW wind farm in South Wales that is already operational and described by the companies as RE100-compatible.

The partnership also includes working agreements in Germany and the Netherlands, though financial terms and the scale of supply in those markets were not disclosed. The structure is intended to move beyond a standard buyer-seller arrangement and create a longer-term basis for energy planning.

For NTT DATA, the agreement links energy sourcing more directly to the growth of its data centre estate. The company, part of NTT Group, said demand from AI and broader digital infrastructure is increasing the importance of securing power over longer periods.

ENGIE, which operates across electricity generation, networks and energy supply, is positioning the arrangement as part of its work with large industrial and infrastructure users seeking lower-carbon electricity. The French energy group reported turnover of €71.9 billion in 2025 and employs more than 90,000 people across 30 countries.

David Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer at NTT DATA, said the deal tied the company's AI plans to its environmental goals.

"AI is transforming every industry, and long-term success depends on ensuring that AI is sustainable," Costa said. "Sustainability is both a competitive differentiator and a value creator. This partnership with ENGIE reflects our belief that energy transition and AI transformation must advance together, enabling us to innovate and scale responsibly while delivering long-term value for our clients and society."

The agreement also reflects a broader shift in the sector toward longer-duration energy contracts. Data centre groups have increasingly used power purchase agreements and direct renewable sourcing to reduce exposure to volatile energy markets and support internal emissions targets.

That shift has gathered pace as AI workloads place greater strain on infrastructure. Training and running AI systems can require significant amounts of electricity, and operators are under pressure to expand without increasing dependence on more carbon-intensive supply.

Doug Adams, Chief Executive Officer of NTT Global Data Centres, said access to renewable electricity had become a defining issue for the sector.

"This partnership gives us the energy foundation we need to keep pace with accelerating AI demand without compromising on our sustainability commitments," Adams said. "Securing long-term access to renewable power at scale is one of the defining challenges for our industry right now, and working with a partner like ENGIE lets us continue our growth with confidence - for our clients, for our company and for the environment."

Energy pressure

The pressure is especially acute in established European data centre markets, where power bottlenecks have slowed or complicated expansion plans. In that context, long-term supply arrangements can help operators secure capacity while giving energy suppliers a clearer view of future demand.

ENGIE said the partnership brings together the energy and digital infrastructure sectors at a time when both are responding to the rise of AI. Its executives framed the arrangement as a practical response to the electricity needs of data centres.

"Our partnership with NTT DATA is an exciting synergy between our industries, with both parties working to address the energy requirements of the data and AI revolution with renewable and sustainable solutions," said Nicolas Lefèvre-Marton, Group Vice President, Data Centre Acceleration & Strategy Partnerships at ENGIE.

In the UK, the agreement centres on the South Wales wind asset already supplying power under the contract. That gives the deal an immediate operational component rather than leaving it solely as a framework for later projects.

"This CPPA is the result of a deep understanding of NTT DATA's needs, demonstrating how a collaborative approach can deliver innovative solutions and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term growth and decarbonization ambitions," said Paolucci.