Babcock & Wilcox Secures $1.5 Billion AI Data Center Power Contract with Applied Digital
## U.S. Equities React to Major AI Infrastructure Development
U.S. equities registered modest gains on the back of key corporate developments within the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure sector. The announcement of a substantial contract awarded to **Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:BW)** by **Applied Digital Corporation (NASDAQ:APLD)** underscored the accelerating demand for specialized power solutions to support the burgeoning AI data center market.
## The Event in Detail: A $1.5 Billion Power Infrastructure Agreement
**Babcock & Wilcox (NYSE:BW)**, a global leader in energy and environmental technologies, announced it has received a **limited notice to proceed (LNTP)** on a project valued at over **$1.5 billion** with **Applied Digital (NASDAQ:APLD)**. This agreement tasks B&W with the design and installation of **four 300-megawatt natural gas-fired power plants**, complete with boilers and steam turbines, to deliver one gigawatt of electric power for an Applied Digital AI facility. The full contract release is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026, with the power plant slated to commence operations in 2028.
This landmark contract significantly expands B&W's footprint in the AI data center market, elevating its specific AI Data Center pipeline to over **$3.0 billion**. The company's total global pipeline now exceeds **$10.0 billion**, reflecting a strategic pivot towards high-growth infrastructure segments.
## Analysis of Market Reaction and Corporate Stability
The contract announcement has catalyzed a notable improvement in **B&W's** financial standing and market perception. The company had previously faced delisting concerns from the New York Stock Exchange due to its stock price falling below the minimum $1 per share requirement. However, following a period of recovery, B&W received written confirmation on September 2, 2025, that its average stock price over the preceding 30 trading days exceeded the NYSE threshold. This recovery was partly fueled by a **31.5% gain** in its stock price during the week ending August 29, 2025. Furthermore, B&W successfully raised **$67.5 million** through an **at-the-market (ATM) equity offering** in November 2025, including a **$50 million commitment** from a single global institutional investor. This capital infusion, as noted by B&W Chairman and CEO **Kenneth Young**, demonstrates strong institutional confidence in the company's strategic direction and its capacity to capitalize on the increasing demand for AI data center power.
For **Applied Digital**, the partnership solidifies its transformation into a major **AI infrastructure provider**, a strategic shift from its earlier focus on Bitcoin hosting. The company has already secured **$16 billion in hyperscale leases** across **600 megawatts of capacity**, highlighting its aggressive expansion. Applied Digital reported an **84% increase** in fiscal Q1 2026 revenue, reaching **$64.2 million**, underscoring strong execution as it activates high-margin leases.
## Broader Context and Industry Implications
This $1.5 billion deal between B&W and Applied Digital is emblematic of the broader investment trend in infrastructure required to support the explosive growth of artificial intelligence. The intensive computational demands of AI necessitate robust and scalable power solutions, driving significant capital expenditure across the data center ecosystem. B&W's strategic move into this sector is further underscored by its partnership with private equity fund **Denham Capital** to convert coal plants to natural gas for AI data centers across North America and Europe, signaling a comprehensive long-term strategy.
Applied Digital's financial position as of August 31, 2025, includes **$114 million in cash** and **$687 million in debt**, supported by substantial investments totaling **$1.46 billion in property and equipment** and over **$1.6 billion in data center infrastructure**. The company's **Macquarie partnership**, valued at **$5 billion**, aims to enable **$25 billion in scalable AI factory development** without shareholder dilution, reflecting a sophisticated financial strategy to fuel growth.
B&W's recent financial performance for Q3 2025 further illustrates its trajectory: Revenue stood at **$149.0 million**, a slight decrease from Q3 2024's **$152.6 million**. However, operating income surged by **315%** to **$6.5 million**, and the net loss from continuing operations narrowed to **$2.3 million** from **$7.9 million** in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations improved to **$12.6 million** from **$8.0 million**. Crucially, the Continuing Operations Backlog saw a **56% increase** to **$393.5 million**, indicating future revenue potential.
> "The results of the offering demonstrate strong institutional confidence in B&W's strategic direction and growth trajectory, particularly in the rapidly expanding AI data center and power generation markets," stated **Kenneth Young**, B&W Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, emphasizing the significance of recent financial maneuvers and contract wins.
## Looking Ahead: Growth Projections and Operational Targets
Both companies are setting ambitious targets for the coming years. For **Applied Digital**, analysts project a remarkable **114% revenue growth** in fiscal year 2026. The company itself anticipates achieving **$755.7 million in revenue** and **$102.2 million in earnings by 2028**, which would require a **73.7% yearly revenue growth** and a **$263.2 million earnings increase** from its current net loss of **$161.0 million**. Management targets **$1 billion in annual Net Operating Income (NOI)** and **85%+ margins** as its Polaris Forge campuses reach full operational capacity.
**B&W** anticipates **2026 Adjusted EBITDA** from its core business to range between **$70 million and $85 million**, a figure that does not yet account for the impact of its newest AI Data Center project. The company successfully paid down **$70 million of bonds** due February 2026 in October 2025 and expects to settle the remaining outstanding bonds by December 2025, further strengthening its balance sheet and operational flexibility.
The initiation of operations for the Applied Digital power plants in 2028, following the full contract release in Q1 2026, will be a key milestone for both entities, signaling the materialization of these significant infrastructure investments.
