Stock Markets March 11, 2026

3i Infrastructure to take majority stake in Norway’s Lefdal Mine Datacenter

Investment of roughly €300m secures controlling interest in underground Norwegian data center campus; transaction includes small renewable portfolio

By Derek Hwang
3i Infrastructure to take majority stake in Norway’s Lefdal Mine Datacenter

3i Infrastructure has agreed to invest about €300 million to acquire a majority position in Lefdal Mine Datacenter (LMD), an operational data center campus on Norway's west coast. The facility offers 37MW of running capacity with another 43MW contracted and under construction. The deal, managed with participation from the seller fund's largest investor, brings additional renewable assets and is expected to close in summer 2026.

Key Points

  • 3i Infrastructure to invest about €300 million for a majority stake in Lefdal Mine Datacenter, an operational campus on Norway's west coast.
  • LMD currently has 37MW operational capacity and 43MW contracted capacity under construction; contracts are inflation-linked and availability-based with financial institutions and government agencies.
  • Transaction includes a minor renewable portfolio - three wind farms in Sweden and two hydro assets in Italy - representing under 10% of the deal; completion expected in summer 2026.

3i Infrastructure has committed to invest approximately €300 million to acquire a majority stake in Lefdal Mine Datacenter (LMD), an active data center campus located on Norway's west coast. The site currently provides 37MW of live capacity to customers and has a further 43MW of contracted capacity that is under construction.

The data center's contracts are structured as inflation-linked, availability-based agreements and serve a roster of customers that includes financial institutions and government agencies. LMD draws operational advantages from its subterranean location and a closed-loop seawater cooling system, and benefits from access to Norway's comparatively low-cost electricity. Customer stickiness at the campus is supported by substantial investments in on-site hardware and bespoke infrastructure tailored to tenant needs.

3i Infrastructure is acquiring the asset from a fund managed by Columbia Threadneedle. The fund's largest investor will participate in the transaction alongside 3i Infrastructure, and 3i will oversee the total investment, which is approximately €400 million when considering the broader package.

Included in the transaction is a minor portfolio of renewable generation: three wind farms in Sweden and two hydro assets in Italy. Those renewable holdings account for less than 10% of the overall transaction value, according to the deal terms. The parties expect to complete the transaction in summer 2026.

To preserve flexibility for the timing of further investments while it awaits proceeds from another disposal, 3i Infrastructure has activated a financing accordion. The company has triggered a €300 million increase on its revolving credit facility, expanding available capacity to £1.2 billion. This measure comes while the group awaits €1.14 billion in proceeds from the sale of TCR.


The deal positions 3i Infrastructure to gain control of an operational data center with a mix of immediate revenue-generating capacity and contracted expansion. The inclusion of a small renewable portfolio and an expanded credit facility are complementary elements in the transaction structure as the company finalizes financing and prepares for completion in mid-2026.

Risks

  • Timing risk for transaction completion - the deal is expected to close in summer 2026, leaving execution and regulatory timelines as uncertainties that could affect closing.
  • Financing and liquidity timing - 3i Infrastructure has activated a €300 million accordion while it awaits €1.14 billion in proceeds from the sale of TCR, introducing dependence on the timing of that disposal.
  • Integration and customer retention considerations - customer commitments rely on substantial hardware and customized infrastructure, which could present operational and capital demands during transition.

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