3i Infrastructure and Greencoat Renewables Invest in Data Centres Amid Market Uncertainty

3i Infrastructure plans to invest €300mn in Lefdal Mine Datacenter, while Greencoat Renewables partners with Schroders for a data centre venture in Ireland. Analysts express concerns about overvaluation in the data centre market, with projected capital expenditures rising significantly. The investments indicate a strategic shift for Greencoat, moving from renewable energy to data centre development, raising questions about long-term viability amidst growing energy consumption concerns.

Published Mar 20, 2026

3i Infrastructure will invest €300mn to acquire a majority stake in Lefdal Mine Datacenter in Norway, while Greencoat Renewables has formed a joint venture with Schroders to develop renewable-powered data centres in Ireland. Analysts are skeptical about the timing and valuation of these investments, particularly given rising capital expenditures in the data centre sector, which increased by over 50% in six months, reaching $806bn.

AI-curated by Theia

Greencoat's shift from renewable energy investment to data centre development raises concerns about strategic alignment. The long-term impact of energy consumption by data centres remains uncertain.