Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Data centers in Europe - statistics & facts
Europe is abuzz with data center construction. With the continent embracing the possibilities of digital transformation, data center operators are laying the infrastructure necessary to meet the data intensive demands of 5G, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and more. Modern data centers are designed to fulfill these requirements by housing extensive networked IT equipment alongside intricate cooling infrastructure. Cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud operate vast hyperscale facilities across the continent to run subscription-based services, while colocation providers allow enterprise customers to rent data center capacity in shared facilities close to metropolitan areas.
The FLAPD markets lead the way in Europe
The European data center market was forecast to generate nearly 78 billion euros in revenue in 2024, with the majority of this realized in Central and Western Europe, driven by so-called FLAPD markets of Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin. The financial powerhouses of London and Frankfurt are the two leading FLAPD hubs, with total estimated inventory of around 1,000MW and 700MW, respectively, while Dublin is reported to have the most capacity under construction. Despite strong growth across the region, European markets are facing a range of local challenges related to land use and infrastructure, with authorities in Frankfurt, for example, establishing new rules on further data center expansion in the city.Mandatory efficiency reporting will ignite the sustainability debate
The European Union has become heavily involved in the data center industry, recognizing the key role the market will play in the adoption of new technologies in the bloc. In particular, the European Commission has underlined the importance of the region’s expanding green data center market, having set a goal for carbon neutrality by 2030. Current sustainability reporting is limited, with survey data suggesting that efficiency gains have leveled off worldwide. However, under newly adopted legislation, an EU-wide scheme will begin to rate the sustainability of data centers throughout the region, with operators required to report and publish key performance indicators. Sustainability will no-doubt dominate the agenda in the coming years as a result, as operators look to meet efficiency targets while also continuing to expand and adapt their portfolios in the face of Europe’s rapid digital transformation.
