- The goal of hscale is to deliver over 1GW of AI-ready, sustainable data centre capacity across Europe.
- The platform builds on Bain Capital’s 2024 acquisition of AQ Compute, with Aquila Group retaining a 20% stake.
What happened: Bain Capital expands data centre footprint with hscale launch
Bain Capital has launched hscale, a dedicated hyperscale data centre platform targeting the EMEA region. This move follows Bain’s 2024 acquisition of an 80% stake in AQ Compute, a European data centre firm founded by Aquila Group. Meanwhile, Aquila retains a 20% stake in hscale and continues to support its sustainability strategy through its renewables arm, Aquila Clean Energy.
The team at hscale is led by Oliver Schiebel, former CEO of Mainova WebHouse. They are backed by a group with experience delivering almost 7GW of data centre capacity across EMEA and APAC markets. At present, hscale has over 100MW of capacity under construction, including projects in Oslo and Barcelona. In addition, it has a development pipeline exceeding 1GW in key European cities such as Milan, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, and Zaragoza.
The official launch of hscale is scheduled for the Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes this June. During the event, CTO Abed Jishi will outline the company’s vision for the future.
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Why it is important
The launch of hscale aims to address Europe’s rising demand for high-density, AI-ready infrastructure. As AI and cloud computing expand, the need for scalable and sustainable data centres becomes increasingly urgent. Furthermore, hscale’s focus on low-carbon technologies—such as liquid cooling and heat reuse—aligns with hyperscaler ESG goals and European sustainability standards.
Bain Capital’s multi-billion-euro investment in hscale signals a strong commitment to the European data centre market. The platform’s plans for rapid expansion aim to deliver fast, scalable buildouts for hyperscalers, while positioning hscale as a customer-focused provider across the region.
By leveraging Aquila Group’s renewable energy expertise, hscale is well-positioned to provide future-proof digital infrastructure tailored to hyperscaler needs. This partnership highlights the importance of sustainable growth in the data centre sector, ensuring long-term alignment with ESG goals and regulatory standards.
