Microsoft plans to expand its global data center capacity to over 38 GW by 2032

According to sources familiar with the matter, Microsoft (MSFT.US) plans to significantly expand its data center scale, expecting global data center capacity to exceed 38 gigawatts by 2032—more than tripling from the current approximately 12 gigawatts. This initiative aims to alleviate the computing power shortage caused by the rapid growth of AI and cloud services in recent years. Previously, Microsoft had to turn down some AI and cloud service businesses due to insufficient capacity. Sources stated that the roadmap includes both Microsoft’s self-built and leased data centers but does not count computing resources rented from “new cloud providers” such as CoreWeave. The related plans may still be adjusted according to customer demand and technological changes. Microsoft’s latest fiscal year capital expenditure reached $145 billion, and analysts expect spending to continue increasing in the coming years. Reports indicate Microsoft’s previous suspension of some data center construction projects limited computing supply, prompting some clients to turn to competitors. Documents show Microsoft once restricted new cloud service subscriptions in certain critical regions in the United States and Europe. Microsoft stated it is accelerating data center construction.