By HARMONY STILES

Texas will this year become the most significant data center market on the planet, ahead of Virginia.

There are currently more than 250 data center projects in planning or construction stages across the Lone Star State, with 140 already under active construction.

The proliferation of data centers has also multiplied energy demand throughout the state. It is currently estimated that the power capacity under construction exceeds 6.5 GW, the highest in all of North America.

Data center construction spending in the U.S. continues to rise due to high demand for AI-related services. According to data from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio (ABC Ohio Valley), 2026 will mark a 17 percent to 20 percent increase in spending. Texas will lead construction investment in the country this year, with a 63 percent increase to reach $26 billion in direct spending.

Additionally, Texas will become the world’s leading Data Center market this year, surpassing Virginia. Currently, it is estimated that in Texas alone there are more than 250 projects related to the construction of technological infrastructure and data centers, of which 140 are already in the active construction phase. This has also led to a significant increase in energy demand in the state and in the development of electrical infrastructure construction projects, to the extent that Texas is currently estimated to have more than 6.5 GW of power capacity under construction, the highest in all of North America.

Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has established itself over recent years as a strategic ally for the technology sector thanks to its extensive experience in developing projects related to the installation of new data centers and all the devices required for their commissioning. The company is specialized in maneuvering and positioning heavy technical loads in highly restricted and confined environments using its specialized machinery. From integrated planning, material lifting, transport and execution, Sarens participates in all necessary phases of data center construction. The company provides innovative solutions such as its fully automated robotic skates for loads up to 50 tons, which accelerate project delivery times without putting the internal architecture of the centers at risk.

This major boom in data center installations is resulting in significant delays in lead times for critical equipment and power grid connections, according to consulting firms like JLL. Therefore, the installation of generators, transformers, and industrial chillers must be carried out with maximum efficiency and within scheduled deadlines to avoid additional costs. In this regard, Sarens offers a crane taxi rental service that allows it to meet any need of its clients in the technology sector quickly and efficiently. By offering a wide range of machinery that can be nimbly deployed from its branches in Houston, Odessa or Beaumont – which does not require days of assembly to become operational –  Sarens can collaborate on the installation of critical infrastructure for these projects practically on the same day.

Globally, Sarens has consolidated its position as a key strategic partner in the expansion of digital infrastructure, thanks to its ability to execute both heavy outdoor logistics and high-precision indoor installation in highly complex environments. In large-scale projects across mature markets in Europe and North America, the company routinely handles the over-the-road transport of oversized modules using SPMT platforms, as well as the critical lifting of gigantic cooling systems, backup generators and external electrical substations using specialized cranes. This robust outdoor engineering is meticulously complemented by its indoor technology, as demonstrated in its project in Chonburi, Thailand. There, the team utilized fully automated robotic skates and skidding systems to precisely introduce and position critical 50-ton loads within the enclosed and confined environment of the building, ensuring project continuity without disrupting the sensitive structures of the data center.