Jera, Dell Technologies and Rhaelm have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build AI infrastructure in Japan, starting with a $15 billion, 400MW behind-the-meter data center at Jera's Chiba Thermal Power Station, targeted to begin operations in or around 2028.

Apollo Global Management will back the Chiba project, which Jera and Rhaelm will develop at the LNG-powered station at 2-1377 Soga-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba. The estimated $15 billion covers all phases of development, including land, power infrastructure, construction and AI compute.

The Chiba station has a total maximum output of 4.38GW. Under the MoU, the three companies are developing a standardized framework for building AI infrastructure — spanning power and electrical infrastructure, cooling and AI compute.

Who does what?

• Dell supplies standardized rack-scale AI infrastructure.
• Rhaelm brings data center development and delivery expertise, plus execution capability and capital.
• Jera provides energy through its LNG procurement, shipping, import, regasification and power generation capabilities.

What does behind-the-meter mean for speed?

Rhaelm CEO and chief revenue officer Bradd Lewis said the co-location model bypasses grid constraints: "By co-locating at Jera's Chiba station and deploying the Dell AI Factory as our compute standard, we can deliver a 400MW facility years ahead of a conventional grid-connected timeline."

He added: "Jera's behind-the-meter power and site access are the foundation, and our role is to bring the execution capability and capital to build on it, with the end goal of replicating that model across Japan at the scale the country's AI ambitions demand."

Why does Jera see itself as the power partner?

Jera global CEO and chair Yukio Kani said: "Jera is uniquely positioned to power Japan's AI ambitions. We already generate one third of Japan's electricity and supply nearly all of the power consumed in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with capabilities spanning the full LNG value chain, from fuel procurement, shipping, receiving terminals and gas infrastructure through to downstream power generation and reliable operations, complemented by a growing renewable energy portfolio."

How far can the model scale?

The companies will evaluate other Jera sites for similar deployments. Jera holds more than 20 such sites and aims for a multi-gigawatt footprint across Japan in the 2030s.

Who is Rhaelm?

Rhaelm is an AI cloud provider headquartered in London, operating in Europe and Asia Pacific and targeting a gigawatt-scale platform. According to its website, it maintains a presence in Portugal, the UK, Poland, Japan, South Korea and Australia. The company was previously known as Sovereign AI and rebranded to Rhaelm in September.