Nidec Unveils 300kW In-Rack CDU; Switch, TensorWave, PLDT Advance Data Center Builds

Japanese motor manufacturer Nidec has developed a prototype in-rack cooling distribution unit (CDU) with a capacity of 300kW, targeting high-density AI hardware. The company debuted the unit at Interop Tokyo 2026 this week and plans to begin mass production in the first quarter of 2027.

The new CDU is Nidec's highest-capacity in-rack cooling solution to date, surpassing its previous 200kW and 250kW models, both housed in a 4U form factor. The system is compatible with the Open Compute Project's ORV3 rack standard.

Nidec's Cooling Roadmap and STC 1.0

Alongside the 300kW CDU, Nidec also showcased a prototype of its STC 1.0 system, which can integrate up to five in-rack CDUs into a single unit. The company stated that STC 1.0 balances future scalability with optimal initial deployment configurations. Nidec, founded in 1973 and primarily known for electric motors, also produces larger in-row CDUs and cold plates.

• 300kW in-rack CDU prototype unveiled at Interop Tokyo 2026.
• Mass production targeted for Q1 2027.
• Compatible with OCP ORV3 rack standards.
• STC 1.0 houses up to five in-rack CDUs in one system.

Data Center Financing and Expansion Surge

Separately, data center operator Switch has increased its debt facility to $9.5 billion to fund AI data center construction. The move comes as the company is reportedly in talks to raise additional equity capital. Switch's expansion reflects the broader industry push to meet AI workload demands.

In the AI cloud space, AMD-based cloud provider TensorWave has secured $350 million in Series B funding, valuing the company at $1.55 billion. The funding will support the build-out of its AI infrastructure, which relies on AMD's Instinct GPUs.

Meanwhile, Philippine telecom operator PLDT is preparing to list its data center arm, Vitro, as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The company aims to raise up to $400 million through the listing, taking advantage of new regulatory rules that allow data center REITs. The move is part of a trend where telecom operators monetize their infrastructure assets.

These developments underscore the rapid scaling of data center capacity and cooling technology to support AI workloads. Nidec's high-capacity CDU addresses the thermal challenges of dense GPU clusters, while Switch, TensorWave, and PLDT are securing capital for new facilities. The industry is expected to see further innovation in liquid cooling and financing structures as AI adoption accelerates.