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AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure logos are seen respectively on the websites of the big three cloud providers on a laptop computer. Ted Hsu / Alamy

2023: These Are the World’s 12 Largest Hyperscalers

U.S. tech giants still top the charts, but hyperscalers in China are not far behind.

Hyperscalers have often partnered with colo providers to meet demand and address their needs. But as they grow ever larger, hyperscalers have turned to building their own data centers.

“Scale is a key determining factor behind the choice to self-build, but other variables have emerged, including the desire for vendor reduction, customization and control of design and access to renewable energy resources,” notes the latest report on the global hyperscale data center self-build landscape from Structure Research, a research and consulting firm focusing on tracking the internet infrastructure market.

In its report, Structure Research estimated that in 2022, the total amount of global hyperscale self-build capacity reached 13,177 megawatts (MW). The world’s four largest hyperscale platforms — AWS, Google Cloud, Meta, and Microsoft Azure — represent around 78% of that capacity.

Geographically, North America has the largest operational self-build capacity, with U.S. hyperscalers accounting for 77% of that capacity. This is followed by the Asia-Pacific region — wherein China accounts for 24% of capacity — EMEA, and Latin America. Unsurprisingly, the dominant hyperscalers in all regions except Latin America remain to be Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, yet Apple, Oracle, and French firm OVH are not far behind.

In China, homegrown companies Alibaba, Huawei, Baidu, Tencent, and Kingsoft Cloud are the leading hyperscalers, but international players such as Amazon and Apple have also worked their way into the country’s standings.

Here are the world’s 12 largest hyperscalers, ranked according to self-build critical power capacity:

1. Google

Martin Bergsma / Alamy Entrance view of a Google data center in Eemshaven, The Netherlands. <br>

Entrance view of a Google data center in Eemshaven, The Netherlands.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 3,024 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 2,905 MW

2. Microsoft

Hugo Kurk / AlamyDrone view of Microsoft Agriport cloud datacenter in Hollands Kroon taken on January 8, 2023.

Drone view of Microsoft Agriport cloud datacenter in Hollands Kroon taken on January 8, 2023.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 2,176 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 3,344 MW

3. Amazon

BloombergAmazon’s Seattle headquarters feature distinctive spheres.

Amazon’s Seattle headquarters feature distinctive spheres.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 2,480 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 2,533 MW

4. Meta

ZUMA Press Inc / AlamySite Manager Tony Perea tours the main data frame room at the Meta Los Lunas data center.

Site Manager Tony Perea tours the main data frame room at the Meta Los Lunas data center.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 1,790 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 2,595 MW

5. Apple

Xinhua / AlamyAerial photo taken on May 24, 2022 shows a data center of Apple in Gui'an New Area of southwest China's Guizhou Province.Aerial photo taken on May 24, 2022 shows a data center of Apple in Gui'an New Area of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

Aerial photo taken on May 24, 2022 shows a data center of Apple in Gui'an New Area of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 600 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 1,403 MW

6. Alibaba

Xinhua / AlamyA technician examines the pipeline at Alibaba's data center in Zhangbei County, north China's Hebei Province.

A technician examines the pipeline at Alibaba's data center in Zhangbei County, north China's Hebei Province. 

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 1,350 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 487 MW

7. Huawei

Xinhua / AlamyAerial photo taken on May 24, 2022 shows the

Aerial photo taken on May 24, 2022 shows the "Huawei Cloud" data center (R) and the Tencent Qixing data center (L) in Gui'an New Area of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 494 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 192 MW

8. Baidu

Lou-Foto / AlamyLobby of Baidu headquarters.

Lobby of Baidu headquarters.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 608 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 36 MW

9. Tencent

David Kirton, Reuters / AlamyA staff member introduces Tencent's Internet Data Center (IDC) cloud computing service during a government-organized media tour to Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province China September 27, 2020.

A staff member introduces Tencent's Internet Data Center (IDC) cloud computing service during a government-organized media tour to Tencent headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province China September 27, 2020.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 487 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 152 MW

10. OVH

ifeelstock / AlamyFirefighters near large data center OVH Cloud in Strasbourg, France.

Firefighters near large data center OVH Cloud in Strasbourg, France.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 52 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 6 MW

11. Kingsoft Cloud

Imaginechina Limited / AlamyDr. Hongjiang Zhang, CEO of Kingsoft and former Managing Director of Microsoft Advanced Technology Center (ATC), attends the 14th China Internet Conference (CIC) in Beijing, China.

Dr. Hongjiang Zhang, CEO of Kingsoft and former Managing Director of Microsoft Advanced Technology Center (ATC), attends the 14th China Internet Conference (CIC) in Beijing, China.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 36 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 0 MW

12. Oracle

Askar Karimullin / AlamyOracle signage on the firm’s headquarters in Austin, TX.

Oracle signage on the firm’s headquarters in Austin, TX.

  • 2022 operational data center capacity: 21 MW
  • Future capacity (under development and land banks): 0 MW
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