Hitachi is collaborating with investment firm X Labs to develop behind-the-meter energy parks for colocated data centers.

In a separate agreement, the Japanese technology firm has also agreed to work with UK-headquartered Neoix on hyperscale data centers in selected global markets.

X-Factor

X Labs invests in and manages special-purpose vehicles (SPVs), companies set up to deliver a specific project or goal.

The agreement with Hitachi will see X Labs set up SPVs to design, develop and run the energy parks at locations across the US, getting them ready for data center operators to move in and access the power. The partners describe this model as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS).

What type of power the companies will seek is unknown, though most behind-the-meter facilities such as those proposed rely on natural gas.

“SPVs operated by X Labs will lead project financing, site selection and development, and project management, with plans to complete the first energy park in the early 2030s,” the companies said.

Hitachi will power transmission and distribution equipment and expertise to the sites, as well as its grid management products and battery energy storage solutions, all via its Strategic SIB business unit.

Jun Taniguchi, senior vice president and executive officer, and CEO of Hitachi Strategic SIB, said: “As AI growth accelerates data center development, the need for reliable power supply is becoming increasingly critical. Leveraging long‑standing experience in social infrastructure and capabilities across IT, OT, and products, we will provide DC-architected electrical solutions.

“We are excited to engage in EaaS projects, through project-specific SPVs managed by entities of X Labs, bringing expertise from across the Hitachi Group to support next‑generation energy infrastructure.”

Karan Trehan, CEO and founder of X Labs, added: “We are privileged to collaborate with Hitachi by bringing our team’s collective experience in asset management and project management to energy parks and, enabled by various incentives at Federal, state and local government levels, particularly in the U.S., to provide attractive investment returns to energy infrastructure investors.”

Neoix deal agreed

Hitachi has also signed a memorandum-of-understanding (MoU) with Neoix to collaborate on the development of AI-ready, hyperscale eco-efficient data centers across selected global markets.

Neoix has a pipeline of data centers planned for Europe and North Africa, and will work with Hitachi’s Energy and Vantara divisions to deliver the facilities.

Through the MoU, Neoix will lead the development of hyperscale data center concepts, with Hitachi Energy supporting on power infrastructure, including delivery systems, energy and storage, and integration of renewables. Hitachi Vantara will supply IT infrastructure for the data centers.

Hari Slipicevic, CEO of Neoix, said: “This partnership with Hitachi represents a powerful alignment of capabilities across energy, digital infrastructure, and development. At Neoix, we are focused on building the next generation of AI-ready data center campuses – designed from the outset to be scalable, sustainable, and deeply integrated with the energy system.”

“We see a clear opportunity to redefine how hyperscale infrastructure is delivered, combining performance with responsibility. This collaboration is an important step in executing that vision.”

Neoix does not appear to have any operational data centers, but the Düsseldorf Stock Exchange-listed firm has seven projects named on its website, all in various stages of development.

Antonio Marinoni, senior business development director at Hitachi EMEA, added: “By combining the strengths of Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Vantara, we are pleased to support Neoix in enabling high-performance, sustainable infrastructure for the AI era. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to integrating energy and digital innovation, ensuring that next-generation data centers are not only scalable and resilient, but also aligned with the global transition toward low-carbon infrastructure.”