Data center capacity planned and under construction in Europe in H1 2023, by market

Dublin had a reported 270 megawatts (MW) of data center capacity under construction as of the first half of 2023, the most of any European market. Meanwhile, Frankfurt had the most capacity planned for future construction, ahead of London, which remains the largest data center market in the region.

The FLAPD markets dominate the European data center industry

The data center markets of Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin, collectively referred to as ‘FLAPD’, are the key hubs powering the 78 billion euro European market. London is the largest of these markets, with its total inventory of almost 1,000MW placing it second only to Northern Virginia in global rankings. While land and energy availability in the London area pose challenges, many investors are willing to pay the price for proximity to a global commercial hub.

Sustainability tops the agenda

Efficiency and sustainability have become key concerns in the European market, with expanding data center facilities proving a significant drain on local infrastructure. The European Union has looked to take a leading role in this regard, seeking to grow the region’s green data center market. In addition, EU legislation adopted in 2024 requires the publication of key performance metrics in order for operators to be rated against sustainability criteria.