Dell Technologies, Japanese power generator JERA, and UK-based AI infrastructure developer RHAELM have signed a memorandum of understanding to build standardized AI infrastructure in Japan, starting with a 400-megawatt hyperscale data center in Chiba expected to cost more than $15 billion.
Under the agreement announced Thursday, JERA will provide land adjacent to its Chiba Thermal Power Station and supply power under a long-term agreement of 15 to 25 years. Because the facility is designed as a behind-the-meter project, it can draw electricity directly from JERA’s existing generation infrastructure rather than waiting years for a conventional grid connection — a key advantage at a time when power availability is a major bottleneck for large AI data centers.
RHAELM will handle construction, operation, and financing of the facility, while Dell will supply standardized, rack-scale AI infrastructure. Apollo Global Management intends to participate as RHAELM’s strategic investment and financing partner.
The partners expect phased operations to begin in 2028, with full capacity of 400 megawatts targeted for 2029. Beyond Chiba, they plan to replicate the model at other JERA power sites across Japan and potentially in other countries, aiming for several gigawatts of national AI infrastructure capacity into the 2030s.
The deal also strengthens Dell’s AI infrastructure exposure; its AI server backlog has climbed to $95 billion. JERA is Japan’s largest power generator and the world’s biggest buyer of liquefied natural gas.
