AUSTIN, TX — 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, a heavy lifting, engineered transport, and crane rental services company, has established itself over recent years as a strategic ally for the technology sector due to its experience in developing projects related to the installation of new data centers and all the devices required for their commissioning. The company specializes in maneuvering and positioning heavy technical loads in highly restricted and confined environments. 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, Texas, and 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.
“We are aware that we are going through a critical moment for the North American technology industry in general, and the Texan industry in particular, where the increased demand for AI-related services is driving unprecedented investment in data center construction," said Gerrit Van Doornik, Country Manager for Sarens in the USA. "Since these infrastructures are located in highly controlled and confined environments with very limited maneuvering space, it is important to be able to rely on specialized machinery and highly trained personnel who can guarantee that projects are carried out under the strictest conditions of safety and efficiency. Sarens has extensive experience in this area, positioning us as a reliable strategic partner for our country’s construction sector."
