Infratil Raises CDC FY27 EBITDAF Guidance on Accelerated Data Centre Build

Strong Demand Fuels CDC Expansion and Profit Upgrade

Infratil (ASX:IFT) has updated its financial outlook for CDC Data Centres, its Australasian data centre operator, lifting FY27 EBITDAF guidance to a range of A$680 million to A$720 million. This represents a notable increase from the previously guided A$660 million, reflecting faster delivery of contracted capacity and sustained robust demand for data centre space across the region.

The revised guidance comes alongside an expected FY26 EBITDAF at the lower end of the existing A$390-400 million range, primarily due to the timing of capacity ramp-up weighted towards the latter part of the fiscal year. CEO Jason Boyes underscored the strength of data centre demand, emphasising Infratil’s commitment to backing CDC’s accelerated construction programme supported by a recent A$500 million equity injection from major shareholders.

Expanding Footprint with Sustainable Infrastructure

CDC currently operates 18 data centres with an additional five under construction, including two new facilities at the Eastern Creek campus nearing operational status. These developments will significantly boost CDC’s operational capacity, which expanded by almost 200 megawatts in the December quarter alone.

A standout feature of CDC’s infrastructure is its closed-loop liquid cooling system, which drastically reduces water consumption compared to traditional data centres. This innovation not only supports CDC’s sustainability credentials but also enhances operational resilience by eliminating reliance on external water supplies. CDC’s leadership in water efficiency and renewable energy usage aligns with its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030, supported by certifications such as Toitu net carbonzero and enviromark diamond.

AI and Hyperscale Cloud Demand Driving Growth

CDC’s CEO Greg Boorer highlighted the strategic importance of Australasia as a secure and competitive location for data centres amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. The company is capitalising on the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and hyperscale cloud infrastructure investment, which is driving unprecedented demand for high-capacity, low-latency data centre services.

CDC’s position as the largest data centre capacity provider in Australasia with a diversified customer base and a pipeline of expansion projects underpins its growth trajectory. The company’s partnerships with technology leaders such as NVIDIA, and its certification as an NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Centre, position CDC to meet the specific cooling and performance needs of advanced AI hardware.

This growth outlook is supported by Infratil’s recent financial strategy moves, including a planned upsizing of bank debt facilities to A$2.1 billion expected to close this month, ensuring the capital base to fund CDC’s FY27 capital expenditure programs and beyond. These developments build on Infratil’s broader financial strength, which was recently recognised with a BBB+ investment grade rating that expands its funding options and supports future growth plans.

Operational and Strategic Priorities for CDC

Looking ahead, CDC aims to maintain agility in scaling its development pipeline, deepen customer relationships, and secure capital to continue expanding its footprint. The company’s development track record spans multiple campuses across Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Auckland, with ongoing projects at Marsden Park and Maddington campuses.

CDC also continues to invest in workforce development through its CDC Academy, fostering skills critical to supporting its rapid growth and operational excellence. The company’s sustainability initiatives, including zero water consumption for primary cooling and 95.8% renewable electricity usage in FY25, further differentiate its offering in a market where environmental considerations are increasingly pivotal.

Infratil’s upgraded CDC guidance and capital raising efforts mark a significant milestone in its data centre strategy, reflecting confidence in the sector’s long-term growth potential. This follows a period of strong earnings momentum for Infratil, which reported a 7% rise in operational EBITDAF in late 2025 driven partly by CDC’s performance.